Hello once again everyone and happy belated new year to all.

Thanks to everyone who made the trip up to the Del Mar to oppose the 241 toll road. As you already know, our efforts were not in vain as the California Coastal Commission voted down the proposal handily. That does not mean the fight is over, far from it. So we must remain vigilant and united with our fellow surfers and surf clubs to ensure this project does not happen in the future.

Thanks also to everyone who made it to the February meeting at RT's Longboard Grill. It seems there's always a good PB turnout whenever there's beer involved. Now since the social darlings enjoyed the meeting so much, I've decided to hold all the meetings at one PB watering hole or another... any suggestions?

For next month's meeting on March 6, Celia Treamer, the Programs Chair and myself, have arranged to hold the meeting at the PB Shore Club, 4343 Ocean Blvd (where Grand meets the sand). Since sundown is at 6:02 pm, I would like the Board there for an executive meeting by 6: 30, and the general membership by 7:00. Come and enjoy beer pong and goldfish races.

I'm Travis Long and I approved this message. Now shut up and surf!

SUMMER LONGBOARD CLASSIC: JUNE or SEPTEMBER?

At the club's monthly meeting held earlier this month, Travis Long stated that as the new president, one of the things he wanted to accomplish was to change the date of our Summer Longboard Classic back to its traditional date, that being the second Saturday in June. Slam dunk, right? Not so fast.

1st Vice President Kathy Austin objected to the change saying that there's always crummy weather and waves during that time of the year and the September date we held it on last year went just fine. As I recall, we did have sunny weather during our event last year, but the waves were on the puny side to say the least. In a blush of democratic fervor, a consensus was reached that we would put the decision before the people. That's right, the unwashed masses would have their say in the matter. To participate in this momentus decision, please email your vote to the editor for the time of the year YOU would like to see the contest held, June or September.

As both members and non-members alike take part in our yearly gathering, it would only be fair to hear from everybody on this issue. Don't hesitate too long though before you send me your vote, as the final decision based on the outcome of your emails will be accepted as THE date at the club's meeting in March. Therefore, the deadline is March 5th. The club meeting, March 6th.

Don't just sit there, vote!

Richard Steadham
Editor

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION SAYS NO TO TOLL ROAD

By Richard Steadham

On February 6th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, a bright and sunny winter morning foretold the eventual outcome, which was to unfold late into the evening that same day. After more than 12 hours worth of speakers telling the Commision why they believed the toll road should not be built, the Commission voted 8 to 2 opposing the project. Not that "Big Labor" didn't do their best to try and convince the deliberators to move in the opposite direction and approve the boondoggle. They bused in several hundred union members sporting orange t-shirts and waving signs supporting the so-called 241 extension. In the end, it wasn't enough to sway the overwhelming presense of anti-toll road activists, who numbered about 2500, or the Commission's vote. Toll road supporters said they would immediatly file an appeal.

I pulled into the parking lot at 8:45 am, just minutes before the 9:00 am start of the hearing. Once I wound my through the throngs of people over to the front of the Wyland Building, I took my place at the back of one of the many lines to sign up at the Surfrider tent to get my "Save the Park" placard and t-shirt, and secure my lunch ticket for later. Other PB Surf Club members I saw there were: Travis Long, Torrey Brown, Jeff Hackert, Josh Hall and Debra Hoyt. There may have been others there, but that's all I ran into.

Inside the hearing hall, while the commissioners were holding a closed session prior to the public one, activists on both sides traded turns chanting slogans for and against the toll road. Orange-clad supporters of the road made a point of continually threading their way through the anti-road crowd, proudly hoisting their signs and chanting, "Yes to the toll road." These of course were met with jeers and boos by both surfers and beach lovers opposed to their point of view, but luckely the atmosphere remained congenial enough, insofar as violence between the groups never raised its ugly head. With stakes as high as they were, it certainly had the potential.

At about 10 o'clock in the morning I was hearing undertones among the crowd to the tune that this thing was going to go all day and so I had bid adieu to my fellow activists and head back to work. I have to say though, how much admiration I have for all those who stayed on the whole day and into the evening to see this thing through. I wish I could have been there to hear the vote and raise holler in unison with all those still there. My hat is off to them, and of course, the Surfrider Foundation, WildCoast, the Sierra Club, the California State Parks Foundation, Endangered Habitats League, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife and all the rest who came together for this common goal. The Surfrider Foundation stated in their own communications following the event that those in support of their postion included a diverse cross-section of beach users including surfers, students, families, seniors, fishermen and a number of Native American tribal representatives. To all we say, thank you. Now get ready for the appeal.

Below are some selected scenes from the event. All photos by Richard Steadham

Feb 16: Tourmaline Memorial Art Sale and Fundraiser; 7pm-9pm, the Waveriders Gallery, 10373 Roselle Street, Suite 100, San Diego.

Feb 23: Surf Clinic; Sponsored by the PB Surf Club; 10am to 12 noon; Tourmaline Surfing Park; $25 non-members, free for club members. Members of the PB Surf Club and Competition Team will be on hand to provide coaching on foundation skills, cross step and noseriding. Celia Treamer, who taught for Surf Divas for three years, will be heading up the beginner team. Omar Metwalli will head the intermediate team of instructors. Pablo Smith and Jim "Spinnerboy" Cameron will be teaching advanced and noseriding. This is a chance to bring family and friends for great fun and terrific value in the water. Travis Long will finish the clinic with a presentation on safety and surf etiquette. We will have t-shirts, cups and hoodies with the club's logo to sell at this one, so be sure to bring lots of money! Don't miss this opportunity to improve your skills, learn about the club and meet its members. There are a limited number of slots available, so please register early. To register, call Kathy Austin at 858-775-0407, or email kaustin@signaturefunding.com.

Feb 23: Tourmaline Memorial Lottery; Tourmaline Tailgaters Association; Individuals who purchased bricks will have a chance to see where their bricks will be placed at the memorial.  A diagram of the memorial decking area on which the bricks will be placed will be made available.  All brick spaces will be numbered starting 1 thru 400.  Your name will be placed into a basket and then drawn via a lottery.  When your name is drawn you will be assigned the next numbered brick location.  This will be the location where your brick will be set by the contractor.  All brick purchasers will have the same opportunity for best brick placement on the memorial decking.  You need not be present at this drawing as the assignment will be automatically processed after the lottery. 

Feb 26: "Going With The Flow: Surfing Costa Rica's Jungle Breaks" Surfing Documentary Film Theatre Premiere, by Arsen Productions; 7pm & 8:30pm; Musuem of Contemporart Art San Diego (Sherwood Auditorium) located at: 700 Prospect St., La Jolla.

Feb 28: "Going With The Flow: Surfing Costa Rica's Jungle Breaks"; 8pm; La Paloma Theatre located at: 471 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, 760-436-7469.

Event line up:

1. Live music, Marklyn Retzer, will play before the films screen.

2. Raffle and give aways before the films screen.

3. Film Trailers/shorts followed by the premiere of main feature.

Film synopsis:

Kevin Connelly and Jesse Timm bring their classic California soul surfing to the exotic shores of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast as they stumble into ex-pot smuggler, surf cult hero, writer and surfer Allan Weisbecker (screenwriter for Miami Vice, author of Cosmic Banditos, In Search of Captain Zero & Can't You Get Along With Anyone) who embraces their vibe and joins them on an adventure filled with fun waves, stories, opinions, and danger. Going with the flow where ever you are and in every moment allows for magic to happen taking Kevin, Jesse and Allan in and out of trouble leaving them smelling like roses, well almost. With no place to stay, vehicle break downs, hungrey giant crocodiles, bad karaoke, howling monkeys, frequent police altercations, wild bus filled Ticos, a funeral, rum, and perfect longboard waves you never know what will happen until you go with the flow.

Club Calendar