Hello crew. Welcome once again to yet another episode of PBSC CURRENTS. For those of you who did not make the March meeting on the 6th, we've finalized a date for the club's Summer Longboard Classic. It was a hotly contested issue this year for some reason, but the June votes outweighed September's. Therefore, the Pacific Beach Summer Longboard Classic will be held on Saturday, June 14th—Flag Day. Yes, Flag Day. Bring your flags.

Now without any further a doo doo, we've got to move ahead with organizing this thing. Several people have stepped forward and graciously volunteered their time (remembering of course, this club is made up of volunteers), and they are: Richard "I'll have the fish, not pork" Steadham, who's already fabricated the bitchin artwork for the 10th annual event. He's also volunteered to do this year's program, which from the looks of this newsletter, should be just as bitchin. Dawn "I can't stand it any" Moore is taking the reins for merchandising. Dave "I'm gonna mispell this" Washkowiak will be coordinating boosters and sponsorship packets for members to approach potential volunteers and sponsors. Daryl "I'm not related to Gary" Coleman is bringing his big-ass tent and tables. And we all need to round up all the bouys, anchors, flags, jerseys, horns and other #@%%! from last year's event.

On another note, we've decided to lower this year's entry fee for the contest to $50 for adults and $35 for menehunes 14 and under. In addition, if any member brings in a sponsor or sponsors totaling over $500, they will surf for free (see PBSC minutes for March 6, 2008).

Moving on. Next month's meeting will be on Tuesday, April 1st. April Fools Day. Yes, April Fools Day. Bring your fools. Members agreed to hold April's meeting back at the PB Shore Club at 4343 Ocean Blvd. (where Grand meets the sand). 6:30 pm for Board of Directors meeting, 7:00 pm for members. Here we'll be assigning duties for volunteers leading up to and during the contest. If you've got any great ideas or would like to contribute to making this year's Summer Classic the best ever, come join us for beer pong and goldfish races—and a surf club meeting. If you've got your big ideas all pent up and you can't wait to let us know, contact any Board member.

I hope to see you all at the April meeting and June 14th for the Summer Longboard Classic. Now shut up and surf.

Travis Long
President and Team Captain 2008

Tourmaline Legend receives a grand paddle out

It was an enormous gathering on a glorious March morning at Tourmaline when over 100 surfers and family members took time out of their busy weekday schedules to attend a paddle out in honor of one of their own, William "Goldie" Goldsmith, an honorary member of the PB Surf Club. The surfing gods were definitely working their magic in preparation for the event by providing glassy waves under a perfectly blue sky. As the bright morning sun rose warmly overhead, the gathering numbers in the parking lot took time amongst themselves to remember their friend.

Knowing surfers can be a hungry lot, organizers came preparred offering free bagels, coffee, danish rolls and orange juice to a thankful bunch. A display of photos highlighting the life of Goldie and the gang was set up in front of the kiosk, along with a number of cartoons he had drawn over the years, many of which had appeared in the club's earlier newsletter, "Lines." When the time seemed about right, longtime friend, Ron St. John introduced Terry Goldsmith, one of Goldie's two sons at the event, who spoke to the crowd prior to the paddle out. He talked for a few minutes, first thanking all who had come that morning and then remarked how grateful he was to see so many there in honor of his father. He then related a few choice anedotes of his father's love of surfing and of his friends here at Tourmo.

Yellow flowers were given to all participants as they made their way to the water for the ceremony about to begin out beyond the breaking waves. As each found their way to the growing circle outside, it wasn't long before each had taken their place in a ring made whole by the clasping of hands. Arriving last to complete the circle was another of Tourmo's legends, Skip Frye, who offered the opening remarks in rememberance of his old friend. Others then followed by relating one of their own stories while surfing with Goldie over the years. When the final rememberance had been made, the signal was given to throw the flowers each had been carrying, into the circle's center. As this was being done, a cheer and holler went up to commemorate the memory of Goldie and his friendship.

When the ceremony ended, many stayed out to enjoy a great session being served up at the moment and ride at least one wave for William "Goldie" Goldsmith. May he rest in peace.

Richard Steadham
Editor

A Son Recalls His Father's life

By Terry Goldsmith

My dad Bill was born William C.Goldsmith on September 6, 1924 in Lakewood Colorado. His mother moved the four kids: Helen, June, Bob and Bill out to old Mission Beach in 1936. He found his place in the world and lived on the beach through his teens and twenties. He surfed, played volleyball, got good at gymnastics and was just a beach rat and waterman.

He was a lifeguard for several years in the forties. He then went to work for John Hancock in the early fifties where he met my mom Lorraine. She actually chased him down and caught him because he was kinda shy and quiet. They married on September 6, 1951. He then went to work for Pacific Bell as a cable splicer for thirty years. He retired in 1982.

He had started surfing again after a 20-year break in 1970 when I started. He surfed almost every day (after retiring) for 35 years. Arthritic shoulders and ear problems kept him out of the water from 2005 on, but he still went down to Tourmaline just about every day to hang out with the remaining "Old Timers Surf Crew." He was always known as "Goldie" since the 40s. He was also a founder of OMBAC (Old Mission Beach Athletic
Club).

He loved the ocean, the sun, wide open spaces, his family and friends and all animals. He was truly a gentle soul. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, sons Lewis (Gale) and Terry, grandchildren Carianne and Cody, sisters Helen and June, and brother Bob.

To see a lot more photos of the paddle out, visit My Local Lineup, a great new surf community resource.

Knowledge Is Power

By Kathy Austin

Pacific Beach Surf Club started the year’s club activities with a surf clinic on Saturday, February 23rd. The day opened to sunny skies over Tourmaline. There was talk of calling the event for weather but we figured we could deliver valuable tips on technique and timing on land. The weather gods gave us a beautiful morning and our instructors, PB Surf Team’s finest, did not disappoint. Incidentally, going on at the same time and place, the Tourmaline Tailgaters were holding their memorial brick lottery and the Surfrider Foundation was conducting a beach cleanup. Other than the problem of finding a place to park, each organization benefited from having the others there at the same time, as each brought a diverse group of enthusiastic supporters.

Celia Treamer had the beginners lined up on the berm where she broke down the basics with skills honed from three years teaching for Surf Diva Surf School. Next, she set her crew to practicing their pop-ups on the soft tops. She also gave them valuable tips about minimizing injuries during our sport’s formidable learning curve. Did I mention that Celia teaches sixth grade in real life?

Omar Metwalli showed the intermediates that an engineer’s mind can dissect wave positioning, wave line selection and the all important bottom turn in a way that is very useful. Omar not only explains the mechanics of these maneuvers, but demonstrates on his skateboard. Omar is that rare combination of masterful surfer and articulate instructor.

Pablo Smith took the advanced surfers to the ocean’s edge and pointed out what various riders braving the bugs were doing and why and how they might position themselves better on board and wave. Pablo owns Soul Grind skate shop and is one of our top competitors. He is also a professional instructor. Pablo explained the relationship between board design and nose riding. He elaborated on the role of the fin design and positioning on the breaking wave face and tip time. The advanced crew had him break down the drop knee turn, a backside maneuver few do well. Pablo also shared some interesting insights from his daughter Jen Smith, reigning Women’s Long Board World Champion on the new generation approach to setting up for the nose and riding off the tail.

Our President and Surf Team Captain, Travis Long concluded with a wave side chat about etiquette and safety for all participants. Travis is an excellent individual and tandem competition surfer. Travis explained the skill of determining who has wave priority, choosing a surf location to fit your ability and the concept of leaving your credentials on the beach. Much was done to further fellowship in our surfing community.

New friends were made. Three new members were welcomed, T-shirts were sold and about $580 was generated for the club. The clinics are free to members and we plan to have three more this year. Tell your friends and bring the family. You won’t find a better value for your time or money. Special thanks to Martin and Renae Murphy, Richard Steadham, and John and Babette Easterly.

Joining the club during our Surf Clinic at Tourmaline last month were the following new members: Barbera Adolphe, Daniel Cney, Mike Dukanovic, Brunie Felding and Christen Powell-Essinger. Please welcome them by sharing the PB Surf Club aloha spirit the next time you see them at club meetings and events.

A Note from your Treasurer

Those of you who surfed the Doheny contest – thank you. However, we will love you even more after you pay your entry fee – I think it was $80 – for the contest. Most of you have not paid, and the time has come to pony up! In the next newsletter, we will have to post the wall of shame for the non-payers among you! If you can’t remember, email me at janemold@earthlink.net. For those of you who have paid in a timely manner, thank you, and we love you better for it.

There’s a reason I am harping on payment in the newsletter. Paying competition fees and membership dues is important because without money we will struggle to put on the contest in June. We also won’t be able to pay the entry fees for Santa Cruz and great contests like Malibu coming up in July. This year I think we are also invited to Malibu’s contest in September. So thanks for listening and helping us stay solvent.

Jane Mold
Treasurer

Mar 15: Waveriders Gallery presents a Surf Art Exhibition; 6:30 pm to 9 pm; 10373 Roselle St., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121; Phone: 877-539-2680; Surf artist Wade Koniakowski will be conducting a painting demonstration which will provide surf art aficionados with a rare opportunity to watch the creation of original pieces of art right before their eyes. These one of a kind paintings will be available for purchase that evening and a selection of Wade's prints and originals will also be on display for your viewing and buying pleasure; The work of surf photographer David Pu'u will also be featured and will include a selection of pieces not available in our online catalog.

Mar 21: Sideways Riders 2nd Annual Fundraiser; 7pm-10pm Art Show and Fundraiser, 10pm-Close Live Music and Dancing; Aubergine, 500 4th Ave., San Diego. Essentials Gear, Josh Hall Surfboards and Shay Vision, in conjunction with D Town Productions, are sponsoring a night of ocean-inspired clothing, surfboards, music and art. Entertainment by DJ Craig Smoove and live music by Eek-a-mouse! Costs: 7-8:30 $10 per person, 8:30 on $20 per person. The goal of this event is to showcase three creative San Diego companies while supporting ocean protection. All proceeds will benefit WiLDCOAST'S Clean Water Now! Campaign. The campaign seeks to eliminate the health threats to South San Diego County ocean users associated with cross-border sweage flows through grassroots community outreach and activisim. For more info, contact Josh Hall 619-244-7738 josh@joshhallsurfboards.com or Pat Flagherty 858-204-6520 pat@essentialsgear.com.

Mar 29-30: Arden Taylor Surf Benefit; Sponsored by the Ventura Surf Club; California Street in Ventura. Each year the event is held in memory or to benefit a different member from the surfing community. This year we are holding the event in memory of Bill Moore and to benefit Ross Blasman, Ana Osgood, and Matthew "Worm" Joyce who will receive 50% of the proceeds. The remaining 50% of the proceeds will go to various charities. The benefit is open to everyone. This is a time to help the families face the many challenges ahead of them. People have such big hearts and that is what makes it come together and work. For these reasons The Arden Taylor Surf Benefit has become an annual event.

Club Calendar