Newport Surf Shots Articles

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	Surfline...... Local Weather Monday, Jan 11th, 2010 Mr. Mako... Last Thursday near Blackies. Photo by Dale Kobetich Victor Done safe out of the water and scanning for Mr. Mako yesterday evening @ Blackies _____________ Friday, Jan. 8th, 2010 Good swell, good condition, good surf... This winter in Newport ____________________ Thursday, Jan . 7, 2010 *Whoop, Whoop, Whoop....* A long trail @ Blacks Last month, as the "Biggest swell in 40 years" had just hit Hawaii, and was fast approaching the California coast, surf photogs were scrambling to get in position. Being about a week out of shoulder surgery I was regulated to staying at home and missing out on the swell. But I eventually succumbed to all the hype, and against some people's advice, started planning. Todos was graciously offered as an option. But bouncing around in an arm sling during the crossing out to the island would be rough. And I didn't want to blow my fresh shoulder repair apart, again. So I passed. A second option was a heli mission. Heli missions are without a doubt one of the most interesting things to put together. Pin pointing a 2 hour window of time when a couple hundred miles of coastline will have both good surfing and shooting conditions, and committing to that window of time days before, is difficult. Last months heli shoot was no different, I asked for a mid day shoot to coincide with the swell's arrival. Plus, a legendary surf photographer from Hawaii once told me mid day aerial shoots look really cool with the sun shining on the water. So I figured we score. Days leading up to a heli mission, emails and texts always come flying in from forecasters willing to respond to my dumb questions. The morning of missions however, everything goes silent. People consulted for these missions undoubtedly feel they've done all they can, and want no part in the final decision to put a gas guzzling million dollar piece of machinery up into the air. Anyway, we went. And while some good aerial images were taken, the hit or miss swell, as well as the glare off the water, wrecked havoc on much of the shoot. Mid day sun on the water might look great in Hawaii, but we found it doesn't in California. Click the image above to check out a slideshow of some Southern California aerial images... ____________________ Tuesday, Jan 5th, 2010 Dawn... Yesterday morning ______ Jan. 3rd, 2010 Kaleigh Gilchrist ends her Christmas school break with one last snap... Yesterday in Newport _____________ New Years Day, 2010 Predictions for 2010? With El Nino in full effect, Mother Nature will continue to deliver... (Photo copyright Cozad 2009) Wave good-bye to the surf of 2009... _________________ Thursday, Dec. 30th, 2009 Having just come off a big win recently at The Sunset League High School Championships, HB/Newport surfer Clay Crandel packed his tow and paddle in board and headed to Baja in search of solid surf... And he found it! 16 year old Clay Crandel, last weekend in Baja. (photo by Cameron Farris) _____________________ Wed. Dec. 29th, 2009 Toxic Gas!! One sunny summer day in the early 1970's the Newport Beach Lifeguard Department rolled up to the bayfront beach where we lived and ordered everyone on the beach to evacuate. Word was a toxic cloud of gas was possibly heading towards Newport. The beach was pretty full that day and people were pretty freaked to say the least! My parents did what they always seemed to do, immediately help out. They opened up our home and started inviting families into the house to ride out the disaster. And once our house was filled with families, my dad shut all the windows, wetted towels, and lined the bottom of our outside doors. And we waited, for what we didn't know. Now my dad was big time into gambling back then. He regularly had card games that would start mid day at a large round table he and his buddies placed on the sand out front, and they'd go late into the evening at the kitchen table. So when all the families were settled in the house that day, it was only natural for my dad to break out the cards and gambling chips, and go to work. For hours us kids ran wildly around the house, while the moms chatted in the living room, and the dad's gambled their family's beach vacation money away at the kitchen table. And late in the afternoon, when it was obvious that the toxic gas cloud was not to be, and the radio noted it was all clear, we bid our good-byes to the families... My mom exchanged phone numbers with the other ladies, I said good-bye to my new friends, and my dad smiled wide, and counted his large pile of money. For some reason, late yesterday morning thick billows of black smoke poured out of the Edison plant. And while the local news didn't report anything wrong at the plant... Breathing that soot can't be good for you.... ____________ Monday, Dec. 28th, 2009 Yesterday.. in Newport _____________ Christmas, 2009 *From my family, to you and yours.* A very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. _____________________ Thursday, Dec. 24th, 2009 Early Christmas present... Early December at Blacks _________________ Wed., Dec. 23rd, 2009 . Cutting edge Newport photographer Dale Kobetich's creation... "Bollo _________________ Monday, Dec. 21st. 2009 The waves and sunsets keep firing... Jared Mel trades his longboard for his short, and lights things up... Friday in Newport ______________________ Monday, Dec. 14th, 2009 Below shows the cross chop caused by the wake of a passing boat... *Triangle lines...* Last week in Newport ______________ Thursday. Dec. 10th, 2009 Check back here for a a few unique images of the recent hit and miss swell.... Wed., Above California _________________ *Biggem surf is on the horizon...* __________________ Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 2009 Newport's wonder kid on a skateboard.... 9 year old Strider Snead mid-air. __________________ Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 2009 Long time Newport shaper and surfer Mike Estrada has a new website (designed by Le-creative) and a new line up of boards. Click the inage below to check it all out... Mike Estrada rides and shapes it all... Monday in Newport _________________ Tuesday, Dec. 1st, 2009 Six weeks ago I had surgery to reattach a torn Biceps tendon. Yea, I know, who cares. Well, unfortunately for me, I didn't put my feet up and relax like I should have during the long recovery, and I screwed up the repair. So today, I'm going back to surgery, and starting the whole process all over again.... Not fun!! So, NewportSurfShots.com is once again asking for people to submit fresh content over the next month. If you'd like, please send photos, stories, a link to your images... Whatever you think might be of interest to the local surf community. And check back here over the month of December to see what turns up. _______________________________ Tanner P. riding his 100th shaped board... Monday in Newport _________________ Wed., Nov. 25th, 2009 Bird's Eye View _________________ Tuesday, Nov. 24th, 2009 Steve Farwell contemplates his next move... Yesterday in Newport ________________________ Monday, Nov. 23rd, 2009 Late Afternoon and Later... Yesterday in Newport _______________________ *INTRODUCTIONS* Without a doubt the largest file of images in NewportSurfShot.com's vault, is of local people. Look for those images to start appearing here on occasion... These guys need no introduction. They're brothers, good surfers, and good people. 2/3 of team Giddings... in Newport _______________ R.I.P. *Gary Edgar* *June 17, 1964 to Nov. 11, 2009* Please click the photo above ____________ Newport Elementary Newport Elementary is one of only two schools located directly on the beach in the U.S.. The other being a high school located in Florida. Back in the day, the play area that is now grass at the school, was really soft sand. And when Newport Elementary students went on to Ensign Middle School, they ran circles around everyone else on the hard grass there. *Newport Elementary, 2009...* (Photo Copyright Tom Cozad) ___________________ Wed. Nov. 4th, 2009 Interesting people above the water and... (Images by Dale Kobetich) _________________________ Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, 2009 While the surf has been pretty minimal the past week, the sunrises and sunsets have been pretty amazing. Then the fog rolled in yesterday afternoon, and temporarily put an end to them... Halloween Sunset... Last Saturday ___________________ October Backwash... in Newport . ________________ Waiting for a month of solid surf... in Newport __________________ Thursday, Oct. 8th, 2009 I'm a firm believe in legendary local surf photographer Dick McCoy's philosophy that there are only 8 days a year when the swell, the surf, and the lighting conditions come together in Newport and it's perfect for shooting surfing. With light offshore, a groomed steep south, and some of the best lighting conditions in months, yesterday was one of those 8 days. Check back over the following weeks for more images from the day. If there's barrels somewhere in Newport , there's Cameron Clark inside one of them... Yesterday _________________ Friday, Oct. 2nd, 2009 *Newport Life...* A fairly decent choke-hold. A living legend, Mike Moir, sighting, A future legend heads for a surf on his 18th birthday. An Echo Beach flashback, and... an air... Yesterday in Newport ________________ Wed. Sept. 30th, 2009 Last night Newport's Tsunami sirens never sounded, the beach never vanished under a tidal surge, the bay never spilled over the Peninsula, and those that live on Balboa Blvd now don't have oceanfront homes. Last night's forecasted tsunami was uneventful in town, and while it's business as usual in Newport, sadly many people lost there lives in other parts of the world... *8:35pm. West Oceanfront* What do you do when there's a Tsunami warning right in front of your house? Have a glass of wine and send your kid out into the ocean to look for it... Last night in Newport (Photo by 10 year old Summer C.) Like the rest of Southern California Wed., Newport enjoyed clear skies, blazing hot weather, and howling NE winds... Or maybe not. Wed. in Newport _____________ *Lump and Bump...* Tuesday in Newport _____________ Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, 2009 "Fall Offshores" in Newport... "Say Goodbye to Summer"... ______________________ Monday, Sept, 8th, 2009 Local clothing manufacture Atwater has always had an impressive line-up of local surfers on their team. And they now have an internationally known figure... Jamie Sterling, now charging for Atwater... @ Todos Photo Copyright T, Cozad. _______________ Wed. Sept. 2nd, 2009 Courtney Cologne has been on a tear. First taking the Women's U.S. Open in Huntington, then the ISA World Games in Costa Rica, and finally the SuperGirl WQS in Oceanside. And then she came up against Newport's Kaleigh Gilchrist last Sunday in the final of Surfing America Championships in Huntington. And Kaleigh put an end to Courtney's winning streak. Kaliegh won the prestigious event! A huge accomplishement! Kaleigh's other life.... Stick the girl in any competitive sport that involves water, and she'll do damage. (Photo Copyright Cozad) _____________ Tuesday, Sept 1st, 2009 Arrive early... leave late. Summer 09' in Newport _______________ Wed. Aug. 26th, 2009 Arnette's Jamie O. in water color, and... Photo copyright T. Cozad _____________________ I was pretty psyched to get this photo a couple years ago. Greg Long and I had just recently met before this day, and we were commenting that we always seemed to show up at the same place at the same time, and a good image usually came out of it This particular morning dawned, and I was planning on being somewhere else, but ended up at this Baja break. And I was stoked, and surprised, to see Greg paddle out. Greg grabbed this bigger set of the morning, and later said, he saw me with my camera scrambling to get in position and just drove right for it... He came up 10 feet away after a severe pounding, with half a board. Check out Rob Havassy's new book Surf Story for reflections of this day by Greg Long. As well as a lot of other surf stories, and amazing surf art. Newport's Robb Havassy is at a again... being one of the most creative artist and visionaries in the surf world today. His long awaited project, SURF STORY, has just been released. This monumental book and exhibition project features more than 150 surf stories and 200 pieces of art....Though the book delivery is scheduled for late fall, the First Edition is currently on sale for reserve at a special discount rate exclusively through http://www.surfstoryproject.com also you can see over a 100 sample spreads on the "surf story project" group page on facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/SURF-STORY-PROJECT/104626221443 . The book will likely sell out before it's actual release, so don't wait. _____________ Monday, Aug. 17th, 2009 Local surfboard supplies and manufacture, PureGlass, has been eating through used boards lately. The large selection of used boards that people had placed on consignment over the past few months there have been flying out the door. Business is good! So if you have a used board you want to sell on consignment, bring it in. Or if you're looking for a used board, stop by PureGlass and check their expanding inventory. *Used boards that aren't for sale @ PureGlass* ___________________ Friday, Aug 7th, 2009 The first edition of Newport Beach Magazine is out. And one of the articles features the Blackies crew, titled "Old Guys Rule, Eternally Young Surfers". I was lucky enough to shoot the feature, and contacting Newport's legends and getting them all together for a shoot was harder than rounding up all of the sitting presidents. Click the photo below for a link to the digital version of the magazine, and pick up the print version and check it out if you get a chance. Newport Legends one and all... @ Blackies _____________________ Monday, Aug. 3rd, 2009 Come join the crowd.., ________________ Friday, July 10th, 2009 *Newport Beach Magazine* A new magazine is about to debut in Newport called "Newport Beach Magazine". The publishers, Firebrand media, have been pretty successful with their current publications of Laguna Beach Magazine and Bespoke Magazine. "Newport Beach Magazine highlights the notable people places and events of Newport and it's incorporated areas, as well as Newport's fashion, arts, food, wine and entertainment". The publication will also feature Newport's local beach and surf culture at times. Look for info about the magazine launch in the coming weeks. A new magazine for, and about, Newport Beach, is on the horizon. __________________ Monday, July 6th, 2009 4th of July, 2009 Newport has something for everyone on the 4th. The kids have the Balboa Peninsula Parade (photos up by Wed.). The boating community has the Legion's Boat Parade. And the young at heart have the parties in West Newport. The past few years West Newport has been pretty tame compared to years past. And some thought that this year people might burn themselves out partying Friday, and have little left come Saturday, the 4th of July.... No way however.. The city put the barricade's up early this year, the partying started sooner than years past, and with the cold wind and water along the local beaches, it seemed that more people took to the streets. See a few images from the 4th below. The happy, and the not so happy. 4th of July, 2009... in Newport ___________________ Wed. June 3rd, 2009 If it didn't wake you up, take your pulse, you might be dead... Last night, 2:20am... in Newport ____________________________ Good clean fun!... At the March All-Day Surf Anticks in Newport. ____________________ Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 Another floatation device shows up at The Wedge. ________________________ *Happy Cinco de Mayo* Scott Chandler happy that he made the drop... South of the Border. *(photo copyright cozad)* _________________ Monday, May 4th, 2009 ECHO BEACH Weekend "ECHO BEACH Weekend" was a huge success. A street party, art show, movie, live bands and tons of giveaways... Filmakers Jeff Parker and Stefan Jeremias went all out to show their home town a good time. *NEWPORT CREWS... Saturday in Newport For more info about the movie click the photo below* *Echo Beach* instigator, Peter Schroff... in Newport _____________ Unidentified Flying Saucer... Friday in Newport ____________ Earth Day 2009 The Earth's rivers run into the ocean... and some of them produce one hell of a sandbar... ______________ Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 Japanese Motors Band Member & RVCA Team Rider, Alex Knost, standing around at Blackies.... Last Friday _____________ Thursday, April, 9th, 2009 Just in case the current pushes him into the pier? @ Blackies ______________________ April Fools Day A secret no more While the dredge project in HB earlier this month produced some of the best surf in the area... The recent addition of sand at 28th St. in Newport, as a result of the city's current sand project, has turned the place into one of the best surf spots in the County. Currently picking up just about any swell, the new sandbar has been firing lately. A big thanks to the city of Newport Beach for creating a new surf spot that turned out to be better than anyone could have hoped for! Grab your board and get on it, because the Newport Beach Lifeguard Department is now giving daily surf reports for the new sandbar, and word about it is gonna spread fast! Monday afternoon @ 28th St. _______________ Monday, March, 23, 2009 *Racing Newport...* _______________ Taking a bite out of Newport sand _______________________ Monday, March, 2nd, 2009 It's not enough that Southern California's one stop board shop sells surf hard goods, used surf boards, surfboard blanks and surfboard manufacture supplies... Plus houses state of the art surfboard shaping rooms, and some of the areas top surfboard shapers. PureGlass, in Costa Mesa, now has a surfboard shaping machine that can be used for both production and Research & Design. Click the photo below for a link to PureGlass's website. PureGlass's Jim Chalupnik, Master Shaper John Carper (JC), and the Machine ____________ Wed. Feb. 25th, 2009 *Racing 56th* ___________ Monday, Feb 23rd, 2009 *Hawaiian Spot Light... Saturday night at sunset.* _______________ Friday Feb 20th, 2009. Yesterday, in Hawaii _______________________ Thursday, Feb. 19th, 2009 This week Maui has been all about waves, whales and wind, a lot of wind. But with the airplanes packed, all rental cars on the island gone, and all the condos full, it seems like everyone is here to see the migration of the whales going by the island. People are pretty serious about their whale watching, and when they actually see one breach, they get pretty excited about it. I was taking a few photos of my kids in the tiny surf out front yesterday morning, and scanned the horizon for a split second, when the whale below jumped out of the water... *NewportSurfShots.com, your large mammal photo website...* _______________________ Wed. Feb. 18th 2009 *Aloha, from Hawaii...* _______________ Tuesday, Feb 11th, 2009 If you surfed the minuscule waves last week, or the week before, and felt a little jilted as the local SUP crew caught waves 100 yards outside of you, and surfed them 100 yards past you. Stop by Paddle Surf Warehouse and see what those big boards are all about. Mike has remodeled the shop and now has even more boards of all sizes in stock. And he will even rent you board, if you want to sneak off and try one. For a link to the shop's website, click one of the images below... SUP's in Color _________________ Monday, Feb 9th, 2008 FlashBack The last time, in 2004, that local residents and surfers battled with the city over a "Sand Replenishment Project", Bill Sharp came up with a proposal. Take the sand, which at the time the city was going to remove from the filthy Santa Ana River, and form a sandbar with it. He figured tractors could begin pushing sand out into the ocean, and as the sandbar grew, trucks could then start driving out on it. Dumping more and more sand as it grew. And then over the winter, the sand would slow drift down towards the jetties. Unfortunately, we were told that if such a sandbar was built at the mouth of River Jetties, the winter high tides, and storm surges, would just push the sand right back up the river. Imagine the surf if this could have been done? ________________ Friday, Feb, 6th, 2009 Surfer... and Sand ______________ Jan 30th, 2009 Don't believe it... Don't go looking for this wave.... The image was taken yesterday to demonstrate just how easy it is now days to make a nothing day of surf look good. This wave is a 6 inch walled close-out, that not even a Blackies longboard kingpin could ride, but by shooting it just so, it looks pretty good. So if someone says they scored great surf and shows you photos of it.... Ask to see the video. _________________ Thursday, Jan. 29th, 2009 If certain people had their way, surfing in Newport would be restricted to between the poles... ______________________ Tuesday, Jan. 26th, 2009 The economy sucks!... And while Washington begins fighting over a stimulus package, that might not even help, people everywhere are feeling the ever increasing effects of the poor economy. The local surf industry and Newport's local surfers included. What can you do to help? If you're going to order a new board, buy a used one, or get one fixed, please give your business to a local board manufacture, If you need a new wetsuit, a new skateboard, or even just a bar of wax, please spend your money at a local surf retailer. If your looking for a new hoodie or a jacket, please check out one of the local Newport surf wear manufactures (i.e. Atwater, F54). And if you need an electrician, a plumber, a contractor or whatever... please ask around, and try and use one of the talented hardworking local surfers from the Newport area... In essence, during this rough economy, please try and keep your hard earned dollars in Newport. Trying to avoid an economic wipeout... in Newport ________________ Monday, Jan, 26th, 2009 Studio 54 from the air, Fall 2008 in Newport _______________________________________ Tuesday, Jan. 20th, 2009 Yesterday __________________ Monday, Jan 19th, 2009 "Give us bigger surf!" ____________________ Jan. 16th, 2009 If you've driven around Newport much, undoubtedly you've seen her... Newport's very own... "Motorcycle Mama" ____________________ Jan 15th, 2008 Sorry, for the Big Wave Blog Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've heard about the swell that is forecast to hit California in the next few days. I haven't been shooting much this winter, but with a solid swell on the horizon, I was preparing to go and get some photos of it. Three really ambiguous surf shoots over the next 4 days was the plan, and I was really excited about each one of them. Until I just read one of the latest surf forecasts... (see below) So for now the large pile of gear that's stacked on my living room floor and garage, are staying put. And the list of things I was going to stay up all night doing, are going to wait. And instead, I'm going to sit down, have a beer, and figure out what the next move is. For sure Orange County is going to get some great surf later this weekend... The rest of the coast just may not get the big and scary surf that everyone had hoped for. *Click the photo below for an interesting read on the recent forecasted swell numbers, by going halfway down the page to "As of . Wednesday PM".* *Waiting for Waves...* in Newport ___________________ Tuesday, Jan 13th, 2009 10 year old Summer C., excited about sunsets. Saturday in Newport _________________ Monday, Jan. 12th, 2009 When I was fresh out of undergraduate school, a collage friend and I bought a surf shop in Sunset Beach, Burke Surfboards, and soon changed the name of it to H20 Surf Company. My wife and I were broke at the time, so we borrowed the money for the shop from our credit card, and we went into major debt. It was cool having the shop... We had a great shop team, we had clothing and wetsuit reps catering to our needs, and we had a nice customers base of local surfers. But owning the shop also had it's share of headaches. We couldn't keep as much inventory in stock as the big retail surf shops. Sales were extremely sporadic. A guy came in with a gun once and emptied our register. And someone threw bricks through our window and made off with a half dozen snowboards... Soon I realized I didn't want to work in the surf industry or retail, and I headed back to school. And my partner, Vipe Desea, realized that being in the surf industry was something that he really wanted to do. And he went on to become a successful event promoter. Owning a shop, especially a small one, has to be one of the most challenging retail things you can do. Click the photo below for an interesting article on the current plight of surf shops... *"Surf Shops: Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated"* "Surf Shops aren't going anywhere!" _________________ Tuesday, Dec. 30th, 2008 ____________________ Dec. 23rd, 2008 With the poor economy, and the owners of the Maverick's surf event being particular about who they accept as a sponsor of their event, it didn't look like this year's contest would run... Click the photo below... Mayhem @ Maverick's (photo copyright Cozad) _______________ Dec. 22, 2008 Enjoying world class fishing... in Newport ___________ Wed., Dec. 17th, 2008 Torrential rain, extreme high tides and big storm surges does strange things to the sand in Newport. Yesterday morning _______________ Thursday, Nov. 20th, 2008 Click the image below for a slideshow of the surf throughout California over the past week. a Analog's Josh Hoyer, throwning one more turn before sundown... Saturday in Newport ___________________ Wed. Nov. 19th, 2008 Newport's Logan D., trying to get out of their family picture... _____________ Nov. 14th, 2008 "Blackies". Photographed from a really, really tall ladder... ___________________ Nov. 13th, 2008 Forecasters are calling for Hawaii to receive one of it's first big swells of the season this week. Hopefully the West Coast gets its share soon... This was a giant wave to paddle into. It was during the 2005 Mav's event. And the thing was a huge wind blown mass of water that exploded on the reef in all directions. Somehow Shane Desmond made the staircase drop and lived to tell about it... (Copyright Cozad, 2005) Big surf, tow in. Last season. (Photo copyright Cozad) ______________ Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 All alone... Devyn H., in Newport ___________________ Monday, Oct. 13th, 2008 8ft Point, 10ft. Wedge... It didn't happen. For 4 days I'd been planning to shoot last weekend's forecasted swell from a helicopter, something I've been wanting to do for nearly a year. A friend of mine owns a chopper, and it seems like either the wind, sun or swell never cooperate for him to take me up to shoot. But this time it seemed like everything would come together... Until I discovered he was in Italy, and wouldn't be back for weeks.... So I set out on my own to find a helicopter, and a pilot, which is not easy.... Saturday afternoon while checking out solid Point, I got a message that based on the latest research, the forecasted swell would be a bust. And maybe the mission should be scrubbed. Now, I'm afraid of heights, and canceling flying around in a tiny two seat whirlybird with no doors on it, sounded like a great idea to me. But I also felt that I needed to go, and get my first experience shooting from the air behind me. ... So the sponsors of my flight gave me the go ahead, hoping I'd score something, and I went.. From not having anything in your pocket because it will vibrate out, to not using a lens hood because it will break off and put a hole in the helicopter's tail, to the fact that tape should be placed on the seat belt latch so your camera strap won't catch and release it... there are so many fricken things I had no idea you needed to know to fly around with a camera... A huge thanks to the Newport locals that worked with me on the project.... Even though the waves were crap, I did score some interesting shots... and luckily I managed to not drop anything, or fall out of the chopper. This flight I hope, is just the beginning... Completing the circle... . in Newport ____________________ Over the last few years mega website Surfline has done "Spot Checks" of surf locations the world over. Tahiti, Australia, Sebastian Inlet, Rincon, Huntinton Beach... and most recently Newport. If you haven't seen the recent feature, click the photo below. "Newport, the Board Breaker"... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Big and Better Paddle Surf Warehouse, a one stop shop for everything paddleboard, has moved. Now located directly across the street from Trader Joe's on E. 19th St., the shop is bigger and better than ever. Stop by and check the place out. Stocked and ready to serve.... There's been waves around Newport lately, and a number of photogs on it. If you captured some images, great. It would be cool however if those that identify the wave's exact location were not released to publications. Surfing America Monday,April 20th, 2008 Whoop, Whoop, Whoop.... Last month, as the "Biggest swell in 40 years" had just hit Hawaii, and was fast approaching the California coast, word was surf media photogs were scrambling to get in position. Being about a week out of shoulder surgery I was regulated to staying home and miss out on the swell. But I eventually scrummed to all the hype, and against some people's advice, started planning. Todos was graciously offered as an option. But bouncing around in an arm sling during the crossing out to the island in 20 ft seas would be rough! And I didn't want to blow my fresh shoulder repair apart, again. So I passed. A second option was a heli mission. For me heli missions are without a doubt the most nerve racking thing to undertake. Pin pointing a 2 hour window of time when a couple hundred miles of coastline will have both good surfing and shooting conditions, and committing to that window of time days before you go up, can be a crap shoot. Last months heli shoot was no different, The "40 year swell" was arriving late in the morning.. So I asked for a mid day shoot. Sean Davey (surf photog extrordinaire from Hawaii) once told me mid day sun looks really cool shining on the water. Days leading up to a heli mission, texts, emails and phone calls always come flying in from any surf forecasters that is willing to respond to my dumb questions. The morning of missions however, everything goes absolutely quite. I figure everyone involved feels they've done what they can, and now want no part in the final decision to put a gas guzzling million dollar of machinery up into the air. Anyway, we went. And while I got some good aerial images, the hit or miss swell, and glare on the water, wrecked havoc on much of the surf shoot. Mid day sun might look great on the waters of Hawaii, but it doesn't in California. Click the image below to check out a slideshow of last months heli run, as well surf images from a 2008 Newport aerial shoot. "Dano", Last Friday in Newport Wed., June 17th, 2009 Big Bubble Little Bubble... Yesterday in Newport _____________________ Saturday. Jume 13th, 2009 Kalohe Andino... Yesterday, Friday @ Lowers _______________ Wed., Nov. 18th, 2009 Newport water photographer Dale Kobetich early to work... Wed., Jan. 7th, 2008 Before... After Factor 54's Leon M., takes his broken rocket home... Yesterday in Newport ___________ *New Years Day 2009* 54 degree water, 56 degree air, a 52 degree windchill factor... "Pooch", sending out warm wishes to everyone in 2009 ________________ AlpineStars sales director Brian Sanders, at home in Newport Friday, Sept. 4th, 2009 Please click the photo below, and then click "Watch and Edit Dotphoto Show" for a link to a slideshow from last week's south swells action... All eyes were on the surf... last week in Newport ____________________ Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 2009 Newport's Brooks W. would remind you of Adam Popp as a grom. Brooks is a friendly kid who seems to surf better everytime you see him, and always seems to be out somewhere in the Lower Jetties. Brooks has picked up a few sponsors lately. One of them is GoPro. GoPro is a small video camera that cements to the nose of your board. When you take off you flip it on and it captures your ride. At the end of the wave, you flip it off. It's a cool little gadget and Brooks has it pretty wired. Brooks and the cam in action... _______________ Tuesday, Sept 1st, 2009 For a slideshow of the recent string of South Swells, which includes images from the pack of photographers that were running around Newport, click the photo below... An album from last week will be up Friday. Canon C., firmly planted... in Newport Contemplating a morning bomb... Thursdsay in Newport Analog's Geoff Moysa, pulling into a runner Tuesday @ 54th. Wed. Oct. 28th, 2009 Steve Conti is a longtime respected Newport surfer, and also a longtime teacher at Ensign Middle School. His father-in-law (Richard Koehler) was a photographer and photo editor for the Daily Pilot for 21 years, plus a photographer for the LA Times for 18, until he retired 3 years ago. Most of the Newport Beach Police and Fire Dept know Richard as "Scoop". "Scoop" has always offered to come down and shoot photos of his son-in-law, Steve, and his friends surfing, but over the years they never seemed to put it together. Then last Friday, Steve and his renown photo journalist father-in-law, finally hooked up for a surf photo shoot, on a day that Steve says was "magic". Steve Conti, taken by legendary local photographer Richard "Scoop" Koehler Monday, July 12th, 2009 Parking spaces gone early, local bars and restaurants full, "The Boardwalk" dangerously crowded, "Weeklies" running rampant, Blackball up early, sun blazing, water warm, a touch of Hurricane swell, and lots of guys pulling in.... Last weekend it finally looked like summer in Newport. Friday...Sean pulling in, and Jared shouting out. *Racing a runner* Wed. July 8th, 2009 Every year the Balboa Peninsula has a parade geared for the kids. The kids show up at Peninsula Park with anything that rolls and they decorate it and themselves, with streamers, balloons, hats, necklaces and the like. Additionally there is some pretty good food cooked up. The NBFD truck then shows, as does Randy J's cool Jazz Band, and the kids are lead in a parade around the neighborhood of Peninsula Point, to crowds of cheering residents. The parade has a pleasant small town feel, in a town that is anything but small. Click the photo below for a short album of the parade. And feel free to save any of the images to your computer. Thursday, June 25th, 2009 If you saw this group of guys last Saturday riding all around town, and wondered if they were the John Wayne Tennis Club All Star Team... You would be wrong. Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 *Arnette's All Day Surf Antics* Bachelor Party Pub Crawl... Saturday on the streets of Newport Excited about parades... @ Peninsula Point Wed. Sept. 2nd, 2009 Thursday, Sept. 10th, 2009 Say Hello to Fall.. Monday, Sept. 14th, 2009 You're ready for Fall surf, the problem is everyone else is too... in Newport Friday, Sept. 18th, 2009 Next week an album of NHHS surfing images will be up. Choose any of the surf images you'd like of yourself for the NHHS calender. NHHS and Factor 54 team rider Jessy J... Wed. @ NHHS Class Ryan Simmons, schooling the school kids... Yesterday @ NHHS surf class *H.B.'s Micah Byrne at home...* *The plane won ...* off Newport Wed. Dec. 16th, 2009 ________________________________________ NHHS surf team has just released their 2010 surf calender. Click the photo below, or stop by SurfSide Sports, to pick one up, and help support the team. NHHS senior Bobby O. Friday, Oct. 23rd, 2009 Soon to be new dad, Jared. Oct. in Newport NHHS Surf Team. Click the photo below. It will take you to an album of NHHS surf team photos. Look through the images and, if you'd like, choose an image of yourself for NHHS's surf team calendar. Then write down the number of the image, and give it to Becky Peterson. There is no charge for the photo, so do not buy it from the album website. Prepping for the comp.... Monday, Sept. 21st, 2009 High Tide bumps... Fyasko's Mike Murphy & *One last hit...* in Newport _____________________ Tuesday, Dec, 15th, 2009 Calm amongst chaos... ___________________ Monday, Dec. 14th, 2009 Below shows the cross chop caused by the wake of a passing boat... *Triangle lines...* Last week in Newport _______________________________ Friday, Dec. 12th, 2009 White-Out... Wed. afternoon at Swami's ______________ Thursday. Dec. 10th, 2009 Check back here for a a few unique images of the recent hit and miss swell.... Wed., Above California _________________ *Biggem surf is on the horizon...* __________________ Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 2009 Newport's wonder kid on a skateboard.... 9 year old Strider Snead mid-air. ___________ Monday, Dec. 7th, 2009 Blackies Classics surf club had their yearly membership surf contest, "The Buffington", last Sat. @ Blackies. Click the image below for photos of the event by Blackies surf photog Dave Manning. The "Monkey" award this year (alias the bonehead award) went to Tony LeMenzo, who wore his contest jersey as a diaper. __________________ Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 2009 Long time Newport shaper and surfer Mike Estrada has a new website (designed by Le-creative) and a new line up of boards. Click the inage below to check it all out... Mike Estrada rides and shapes it all... Monday in Newport _________________ Tuesday, Dec. 1st, 2009 Six weeks ago I had surgery to reattach a torn Biceps tendon. Yea, I know, who cares. Well, unfortunately for me, I didn't put my feet up and relax like I should have during the long recovery, and I screwed up the repair. So today, I'm going back to surgery, and starting the whole process all over again.... Not fun!! So, NewportSurfShots.com is once again asking for people to submit fresh content over the next month. If you'd like, please send photos, stories, a link to your images... Whatever you think might be of interest to the local surf community. And check back here over the month of December to see what turns up. _______________________________ Tanner P. riding his 100th shaped board... Monday in Newport *H.B.'s Micah Byrne at home...* __________________________________ *Thankful for days like this...* __________________ Wed., Nov. 25th, 2009 Bird's Eye View _________________ Tuesday, Nov. 24th, 2009 Steve Farwell contemplates his next move... Yesterday in Newport ________________________ Monday, Nov. 23rd, 2009 Late Afternoon and Later... Yesterday in Newport ___________________ Friday, Nov. 20th, 2009 Warning 54th is being taken over by an NSSA event this weekend... Both morning and and evening were good. Yesterday in Newport ___________________ Thursday, Nov19th, 2009 *The plane won ...* off Newport _______________ Wed., Nov. 18th, 2009 Newport water photographer Dale Kobetich early to work... Yesterday in Newport _______________________ *INTRODUCTIONS* Without a doubt the largest file of images in NewportSurfShot.com's vault, is of local people. Look for those images to start appearing here on occasion... These guys need no introduction. They're brothers, good surfers, and good people. 2/3 of team Giddings... in Newport _______________ R.I.P. *Gary Edgar* *June 17, 1964 to Nov. 11, 2009* Please click the photo above ____________ Newport Elementary Newport Elementary is one of only two schools located directly on the beach in the U.S.. The other being a high school located in Florida. Back in the day, the play area that is now grass at the school, was really soft sand. And when Newport Elementary students went on to Ensign Middle School, they ran circles around everyone else on the hard grass there. Newport Elementary is currently having an online auction. A skate session at Volcom. An exotic vacation. Fine dining at a local restaurant. It's all up for bid, and more. The Auction is now open and running through November 18, 2009 at 9:00PM. Click the image below, check out the goods, and bid on an item or two if you'd like... *Newport Elementary, 2009...* (Photo Copyright Tom Cozad) Wed. Oct. 28th, 2009 SCOOP Steve Conti is a longtime respected Newport surfer, and also a longtime teacher at Ensign Middle School. His father-in-law (Richard Koehler) was a photographer and photo editor for the Daily Pilot for 21 years, plus a photographer for the LA Times for 18, until he retired 3 years ago. Most of the Newport Beach Police and Fire Dept know Richard as "Scoop". "Scoop" has always offered to come down and shoot photos of his son-in-law, Steve, and his friends surfing, but over the years they never seemed to put it together. Then last Friday, Steve and his renown photo journalist father-in-law, finally hooked up for a surf photo shoot, on a day that Steve says was "magic". Steve Conti, taken by legendary local photographer Richard "Scoop" Koehler *INTRODUCTIONS* Without a doubt the largest file of images in NewportSurfShot.com's vault, is of local people. Look for more of those images to frequently appear here... These guys need no introduction. /They are brothers, good surfers, and good people. 2/3 of team Giddings, representing... in Newport Warning This hotshot has nothing to do with Surfing or Newport 20 years ago I got a call from a friend wanting me to go to a bar in Fullerton with him. I was tired, but figured the holiday season was fast approaching and I would need a date for my work's Christmas party, so I went to try and get a few girl's phone numbers... Yeah I know, guys are dogs. To our dismay, once in the club, we discovered it was male hot body night, where guys prance around on stage in front of female judges trying to win money. Now I have nothing against this I guess, but it wasn't what I had in mind, and I was pissed I'd walked into it. Once the contest was underway I began letting the one liners fly, making jokes about all the gyrating guys. I was on a roll and had everyone within ear shot rolling on the ground laughing. After a short while this georgous girl standing in front turned and just laid into me... completely told me off. It appeared she knew one of the guys in the contest, and found my comments insulting and rude. After the contest was over I went over to apologize to her... Yeah right, I went over to meet her! She accepted my elaborate apology, and later that evening reluctantly gave me her phone number, which like an idiot I lost. Days passed, and I continued to think about the girl in the club. Without being able to remember her last name, and having no phone number however, there was no way I was ever going to see her again.. Then one afternoon, her last name suddenly popped into my head, and I immediately called information, and they had a number for her! And when I called the number, she answered! We made arrangements to go to Studio Cafe that night, November 20th 1985, and 20 years later, today, we're still together. My wife, the most important HotShot in my life. Dating, marriage and then years of poverty while pursuing our medical careers. Working, traveling, surfing, beginning a family, and then starting this site.... Life's been smooth sailing for the past 20 years with this women on board. ___________ Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 There maybe Low Clouds, Maybe Fog, Maybe Red Tide, Maybe South Wind, Maybe Residual Morning Bump... Yet all the hype for the coming South Swell remains high. *"Excited about Surf"... in Newport* Local Newport surf photographer Dave Manning's photography is a roll. Normally a fixture at Blackies shooting from the beach, Dave recently shot the U.S. Open. And from that shoot had a number of images published, plus landed an ad Click the image below to visit Dave's website, And check back to it when you see him shooting around Newport. Monday, April 26th, 2009 Pull up a chair, click the photo below, and check out a slideshowof the recent Southern Hemi swell. Front row seating... in Newport Friday, July 3nd, 2009 Overcast mornings, bumpy conditions, closed out surf... Summer has gotten off to a crappy start. But the boredom in town is about to temporarily subside. The 4th of July is tomorrow. Watch out for the police, and watch out for each other. And if you get in a fight, blow something up, or get arrested, hopefully well get a photo of it.... Be safe! Calm before the chaos... Brett Simpson, happy to talk to Dave, and really happy to have won the U.S. Open 54th st. standout Joe Alani, happy the event is at Blackies... Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 Late Nights I've always wanted to learn Night Photography. There seems to be a lot of really cool things you can do with it. And I work until midnight most nights, and a lot of time am amped to head off somewhere after work and shoot some photos. So I just bought a how to Night Photography Book, which then told me to buy a tripod and a remote cable release, and then go figure it out on my own... So look for the occasional Newport night image coming here soon of... well, I'm not actually sure what of, but hopefully it will look kind cool. Wed., March 25t, 2009 In a move that greatly benefits both parties. Arnette Sunglasses had added standout local surfer Chase Wilson to their team. Chase Wilson, now representing Arnette... Friday, March 27th, 2009 Have you been wondering how the local up and coming surf wear companies are fairing during these tough economic times? Click the link below, and find out what one of them, Newport's own Factor 54 is currently doing to keep their dream alive. Currently in Hawaii where he's taking care of business, and surfing. The man behind the company Todd Miller. *Lounging, in Newport.* ______________ Thursday, March 26th, 2009 Splitting his time between France and the U.S., Orange County based photographer Matty Thomas is the real deal when it comes to any type of photography. His name has been synonymous with high quality lifestyle, product and surf images for well over a decade. Last week Matty shot the dredging sandbar that sprung up along Huntington State Beach. The current looked like a lot of work so I chose to shoot from the beach, Matty however was smart and photographed it on numerous days from a board. and his images are insane! Once again demonstrating, why he's one of the best.. Click the photo below, and see what you missed. Cause "Far Bar" is no more! Gone, but not forgotten... Monday, April 13th, 2009 . This is what happens when your surf trip boat captain has way too many midday beers... Demolition Derby... Somewhere in the Pacific __________________ Friday, April 10th, 2009 Behind the orange curtain.... in Newport ______________ Thursday, June 18th 2009 I'm trying to work on a couple photo projects and therefore am only shooting a few events this contest season... So I'm currently pretty clueless on who all the ripping contest groms are. At Lowers last week, there was one kid that really stoodout, and no doubt people will be talking about during NSSA Nationals. Hawaii's Keanu Asing blowing up @ Lowers Tuesday, April 27th, 2009 Tomorrow, Wed., April 29th, @ 3pm, there will be an hour long screening of the new …Lost film 5’5” x 19 ¼ Redux at the Newport Beach Film Festival, Edwards Island cinema 4 in Fashion Island. The movie was made by Newport Beach local Joe Alani (along with …Lost founder Mike Reola). It stars Chris Ward, Cory Lopez, Aaron Cormican and Mason Ho, and also features Newport surfers Andrew Doheny, Chase Wilson and Ford Archbold. Here’s your chance to see it on the big screen, and get in on some free giveaways. Click the photo below for a link to buy tickets for the showing... Joe Alani... in front of the camera _________________ Nov. 17th, 2008 Good Conditions! Extraordinary local photog Cameron Oden and I went in on the cost of a water flash set-up a little over a year ago, and then fumbled through how to use it. In fact the first time we tried it, we flooded the entire expensive unit. Cameron and I hooked up for a flash season on Saturday, and while I was still trying to decide what settings to use, damn if Cameron didn't know exactly what adjustments and settings to dial in. He's been shooting a ton of skimboarding with it and has it pretty figured out. Sunday I was back out with a crew at sunset. And since this time there was no one to hold the flash, the drill was everyone surfing had to shoot a few waves with it, and then hand it off to someone else. Which seemed to work well. As always thanks to those that showed for the session. Duddy... blinded by flash and ash. (Photo: Tom Cozad and Jarred Cassidy) Finished. *Also this Weekend...* Tonight, Friday... Local surfer Richard Marion's band is playing an all age show at Evocal in Costa Mesa. Their band recently won 3 awards in the Orange County Music Awards.. Best Indie Band, Best Alternative Band, and Best Album of the Year! Click here to check out their video Saturday night... Newport surfer and premier artist Robb Havassy has a new art show with EVOCAL running all month long. The shows opening night is this Saturday. There will be live music, and Robb will be painting too. The show is free and open to the public. Check below for a flyer from each event. _______________ Wed., May 6th, 2009 It's sale time again. This time it's Alpine Stars, and they're holding their first ever Spring Parking Lot Sale this Saturday, May 9 from 10 am - 4:00 pm The yellow beasts are finished. Newport's Sand project is completed. While the tractors still have a small amount work to do slopping the beach in the 40th street areas... The orange fences area coming down today, and the yellow beasts are awaiting their trailers home. While the relocation of sand in Newport unfortunately didn't produce a wave similar to Kirra, it also happily didn't produce a wave similar to Balboa Pier. The city's project, in conjunction with the Army Corps, was a success, and a huge thanks is in order for Asst. City Engineer Mike Sinacori, and City Maintenance Supervisor Tom Anderson for looking out for the interests of the local surfing community throughout the project. Also a big thanks to those local surfers that kept a watchful eye out for any untoward impact to the existing local surf breaks. The city will be back at it again, moving sand around, in another 5 to 8 years. Word is of extending the sand replenishment areas towards Blackies, and up to 52nd st at that time. The local surf community looks forward to working with the city again, and being involved in any additional projects. The Beasts... are heading home Lucas Brian Campanaro March 24, 1991 - March 24th, 2009 NHHS student Lucas Brian Campanaro, 18, died in his home on his 18th birthday March 24, 2009 from battling cancer Soo you had me write up a little something about Lucas, and I hope this is something like you wanted. Lucas was a very dear friend of mine, if you could do me the honor of not posting my name on your site that would be great. Thank you for doing this and having such a big heart and letting his story be on your site. I know it's quite short and if you would like a longer memoir please let me know. Lucas was the kind of guy where if you met him once, you could never forget him. Even a simple hello and goodbye left you with his positive vibes all around you. He was a friend to anyone and welcomed everyone into his life with open arms. Many felt that when you talked to him even for a small while it was like you had known him for ages. Everyone always enjoyed his company at the beach, there was never a dull moment when you were with him. Lucas moved to Maui and surfed his heart out for his last days, spending time with his family and loved ones. Lucas was a fighter, he never complained or pitied himself and was completely selfless. Even in his hardest of days he was still offering a helping hand wherever he could. He chose to pass on his birthday quoting “God brought me in on this day, and God is going to take me out on this day.” He was one of the most courageous people we have ever met, and we thank him for touching our lives. He has forever changed many of us; and the spirit of Lucas lives on throughout us all. “When push comes to shove, One Love.” - -From everyone who’s lives you have touched immensely Signed, a friend... The celebration of his life will be held at A street at the Balboa Pier on Sunday April 5th beginning at 3:30pm with a Paddle out that will start at 4:00pm. All are welcome both to the paddle out and to meet after at the Newport Rib Company (his favorite place to eat) at 2196 Harbor Blvd. at 6pm for drinks and pupu's His will to live and love will be remembered by his Mother Jennifer and his brothers Cole and JJ, and the many family and friends that he touched throughout his life. _______________________________ Dave Kitagawa Oct. 17, 1965 – March 26, 2009 If you surfed the 40th streets in the late 1990's, or Blackies over the past decade you saw him as the laid back goofyfoot, riding both long and shortboards well, and always wearing a big smile. The surf community of Newport, and especially the Blackies crew, is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Kitagawa. Dave graduated from UCLA in 1988 with a degree in Design and later started his own successful business, Kitagawa Design Group. A graphic designer and devout surfer, Dave unexpetnatley died at his home in Huntington Beach last week at the age of 43. A service for him will be this Saturday, April 4, from 2:45-4:15 p.m at Rose Hills. His family is encouraging people to feel free and wear Hawaiian/surf attire if they'd like... Dave would have wanted that way. There is also a reception to follow from 5-6:30 p.m.. For more information, go to www.rosehills.com. *Additionally a memorial paddleout has been planned for Dave at Blackies this Sunday, April 5th, at 9am. Please attend if you can.* To think that Dave will not be in the line-up with us anymore is hard to fathom. His upbeat jovial mood and his constant smile was infectious. He was a bright light in the line-up, and he will greatly be miss by us all... *Movie Day* To see the movies, turn on your speakers and click each of the photos below.... Norwell9 5-4 Films presents Frequent local surf film maker "Norwell" was in San Deigo last week filming a music video, when strong offshore winds kicked up early one evening. Instead of heading to his out of state home after the shoot, he changed his itinerary... and unexpectantly showed up on my door step around midnight.... amping to shoot good surf in Newport the following morning. Turn your speakers up, and click the photo below to see his movie of the day. A Norwell9 Production. Music provided by Mizota of DJ Culture in Huntington Beach. Norwell's 99 problems Team Froghouse... happy about Movie Day. Movie Day Turn up you speakers, and click the photo below A Norwell9 5-4 film Adam Popp... Eager to kick some cancer ass! Eager for movie day. _________________ Movie Day If you've ever visited this insignificant website, you know that videos have been a big part of it for over a year. The videos are made by an exceptionally creative person, "Norwell". An interesting individual who lived on the oceanfront at 54th st. for years... And while most surfers in town know of "Norwell's videos, no one knows anything about him, and that's the way he prefers it. "Norwell" packed up and left Newport a few months ago, headed out of state. His parting words to me, "If there's ever a swell that you feel I need to come back to Newport for, let me know and I'll be back". Yea right! When talk of the recent extraordinary swell surfaced, I contacted him, and surprisingly he agreed to drop what he was doing and come. For three days he shot surfing throughout the day, and sat at my kitchen table throughout the night, working on his surf video creation. And on the fourth day, he handed me the video, threw his camera and laptop on his back, climbed on his motorcycle, and made the long trek back to his new home. Thanks for the video "Norwell", look forward to seeing you again. Turn your speakers on. And click the photo below. And if you like it, please spread the word. *A "Norwell9 Production"* "Norwell"... in Newport Tomarrow... a link to a Newport slideshow. ______________________________ Super Sunday... in Newport Movie Day Turn up your speakers and click the photo below, and if you like it, please spread the word. A Norwell9 Vegas Film Pumped up for the Movie. ________________________________ Factor54's Taj & Todd... running home to see the videos. ___________________________________ Turn up your speakers & Click the photo below *A Norwell9 Vegas Film* Patiently waiting for the Movie to begin... ___________________________________ Offshore winds, a little combo swell, and some legitimate barrels. Click the photo below to see the video from last Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! A Norwell9 54 Film Happy about Movie Day? MOVIE DAY A Norwell9 5-4 Film Turn up your speakers, and click the photo below... Legendary Newport barrel rider John Cunningham, looking forward to seeing some Newport barrels! Movie Day! Turn your speakers up for this one, and click the photo below. A Norwell9 54 Film Newport regular Rick H., shows his enthusiasm for Movie Day. __________________________________________ AAWWKKK... It's Movie Day, It's Movie Day! Turn your speakers up and click the photo... ______________________________________________________ *Movie Day!* *Click the photo below...* *A Norwell9 Film* Today's feature... Fighting 54th. ____________________________________ ________________________ Turn up your speakers, and click the photo below... A Norwell9 5-4 Film Andrew... "I'm glad that you won the Mens' & Juniors' NSSA Division in Newport, but what's more important... I heard you're in another one of those Newport surf movies!" Movie Day Turn up your speakers and click the image below. A Norwell9 5-4 Film Ready for Battle! in Newport _______________________________________ Movie Day Turn your speakers up, and click the photo below. Yuk! Movie Day Again! ___________________________________________ "Friday in Newport." Missed the offshore surf Friday? Had trouble determining how good it really was by watching the surf cams from your work? Wondering how good it really did get in Newport? Turn your speakers up and click the photo below to see a surf video from Fridays offshore action. A Norwell 5-4 Film Fighting to stay upright during the offshore winds of Newport... ________________________________ Movie Day! *"Sunsets & Surfboards"* Norwell9 54 Film Click the photo below... Newport's Josh Smith... flipping over Movie Day (Photo by Cameron O.) __________________________________________________ Movie Day Back to work? Recovering from the long weekend? Tired, full and wish you could just watch a relaxing little Newport surf video? Turn your speakers on, and click the photo below. A Norwell 5-4 Film. Andy Irons, Happy about Movie Day... _______________________________ Movie Day Click the photo below for today's feature. I heard Josh Hoyer... A Norwell9 Film I heard Josh Hoyer's parents are birds... _________________________________________ Turn up your speakers, click the photo below, and see what happens when a surf video and a music video collide. Movie Day! Newport surf legend, Jeff Parker... Shocked it's Movie Day! __________________________________ To see one of the better wipeouts of 2006... Click the photo below. Say Goodbye to 2006 _______________________________________ Shorescrew.com's Lugo has been making full length surf movies for a few years now. His first feature was "The Day Newport Died", followed this year by "Water Tried to Kill Me". With his website, Shorecrew.com, that showcases the crazy happenings around Newport, his impressive art work, and his having two well received surf films already under his belt. Lugo is one of the most creative people in town. To check out one of his short surf clips. Turn your speakers up, and click the photo below. A Shorescrew Production. Lugo, focused on Newport... ___________________________________________________ Click the photo below Newport's favorite grocer.. Mitch B. , Happy about Movie Day. _________________________________________ Turn your speakers up, and click the photo below A Norwell9 54 Film Celebrating Movie Day... _________________________ Click the photo below... "Thanks From Oscito" "Thanks From Oscito"!!?? ______________________________________________________ "Upside Down " Dude, Wake Up! . It's Movie Day! ____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Click the photo below Surfer and super photog Pete K., HAPPY about the Morning Movie __________________________________________________ Ryan H.... Excited about Movie Day! ___________________________ 44th St. wizard Lorin... Happy about Movie Day. ________________________________________________ With picture perfect weather and contestable 1-2ft. surf, Newport's Blackies Classics Surf Association held their annual surf costume contest Blackies surfer Gary Marshal... serious about Blackies surfing. ________________________________ Analog's Geoff Moysa, excited about "Movie Day"... *____________________________________________________________* __________________________________________________________ *"Remember That Day"* It was a good one... _____________________________________________________ Was the surf really that good during the recent Newport Pro? Did Hoyer really get a 9.5 barrel in his heat? Click the photo below and find out... "Solid To The Sand" _______________________________________ Magic Carpet Ride *_________________* Lesson # 67: When you send both your cameras into the Canon Service Center to be serviced... a fun combo swell will arrive, the wind will turn offshore, and the lighting will be picture perfect...and you will get no photos of the day. This fall Newport awoke to a combo swell buried in an 8am high tide. By mid morning however things changed.... dramatically. With a dropping tide, a bump in the swell, and a shift in the wind to howling offshore, Newport turned on. So what's better than NewportSurfShots.com's out of focus photos of the surf that day? Click the photo below and watch a short film of the action!! Somewhere in Newport (Photo Dan Duenes) +++++++++++++++++++ "If I had 2 legs I could do that!" Cyrus @ Blackies _______________________ _____________________________ Jenner H., caught in a flash... at Sunset in Newport (Photo by oden & cozad) _________________________ _________________________ @ Rocky Point Friday July 11th, 2008 PureGlass Imagine a place where you can talk with your shaper, order your board, have it shaped, glassed, and then buy some quality surf accessories for it when you pick it up, all under one roof? A place like that in the area doesn't exist. Well, it does now! Located near the corner of Placentia and 18th St in Costa Mesa, in the old Wave Tools surfboard factory, is PureGlass. A surfboard manufacturing factory that has recently matured into a one stop shop for the surfer and shaper's needs. For the past few years PureGlass has offered high quality polyester and epoxy glassing, production shaping and in-house shaping bays, and now they're selling a large selection of surf accessories and surfboard materials. Everything from blanks to fiberglass to fins and wax, even used boards. Any and every surfboard related item you can think of. The large factory at 1777 Placentia housed Lance Collins Wave Tools for decades. In 2005 Jim Chalupnik and Bill Scharing acquired it and soon became known for producing high quality, consistent glasswork for shapers throughout the Southern California area. As a respected local surfer with over 15 years of glassing experience, Jim has been able to pull together an incredible group of highly-skilled craftsmen who take pride in producing handcrafted boards. The factory also now houses a number of highly respected shapers including Dano, Cordell, Greg Giddings, Rich Wisz, Lance Collins, and a host of others who take advantage of the onsite shaping bays. So stop by the factory next time you're in the area, check out their goods and see what they're up to. PureGlass is now your one stop surfboard shop. Open for business. ___________________________ __________________________Wed., June 4, 2008 You don't see this happen everyday... Kelly Slater in H.B. ______________________________ Good Times... in Newport _________________________ The surfing conditions? The flag says it all... _______________________ Stoked for a buddy... in Newport __ Back to Business In Newport Beach's infinite wisdom, the city has decided that NewportSurfShots.com is a business. Even though the site doesn't sell anything, in fact it hasn't put an album of photos up in a year... and the site doesn't have advertisers that pay it anything...In the city's eyes it's still a business? To offset this, NewportSurfShots.com is going back to posting the occasional photo album for people to purchase photos of themselves from if they want. Maybe an album a month.... The first one, with images from the summer, will be up soon. Speeding towards the end of summer. in Newport ______________ Thursday, Aug. 7th. 2008 O'neill's David Giddings inside a frothy painted pit... ______________ ________________________ Jarred, flying high off the end of his favorite jetty, @ 56th. ________ Friday, Oct. 16th, 2008 Pull up a seat and enjoy the show... JC's Skip Snead, performing. Thursday, Oct 30th, 2008 Newport barrel rider, and Freestyle Watch marketing guru, Chad Labass, recently tore his Achilles Tendon. It's the one that runs up the back of the ankle, and is the longest tendon in the body. It's also said to be one of the most painful sports injuries there is, and takes quite a long time to heal... So Chad did what a lot of surfers do when they injure themselves. Start filming surfing. Check Chad's 2 minute short surf film by clicking the image below. And look for more local surf films from Chad in the near future... *A Chad Labass - Freestyle Watch Production* Chad... now behind the camera. ________________________________________ Thursday, Oct. 23rd, 2008 NHHS in action... Monday Nov. 10, 2008 *Ryan in color...* Friday in Newport _____________________ Nov 12, 2008 *Paddle Surf Warehouse* Mike Gayer is one of the most respected locals in Newport. Surfing primarily in the Lower Jetties, he's easily visible as the smooth goofy snagging set waves of the jetties during solid winter swells. Like a lot the the Lower Jetty crew, Mike has gotten into Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP's). Paddling them around the Bay, riding swells in from the 2 mile buoy, or surfing them on small days around town, Mike has become extremely proficient in all aspects of riding the boards. Mikes interest in them, plus his realization that there was no local SUP retail store, along with his entrepreneurship, led him to open Paddle Surf Warehouse. Located near 17th St. and Superior, on Terminal Way. The shop sells everything you could ever want for SUP's. From board bags, to paddles, to trac tops, to cutting edge Hovie Paddle Boards. Additionally the shop offers SUP instruction and board rentals. Stop by and check out Mike's shop, and visit it on the web... Mike G. @ Paddle Surf Warehouse ________________ Monday, Nov. 3rd, 2008 PureGlass Has your quiver been reduced to rubble after last months constant surf? Are you looking for a quality used board? Stop by and see what used boards they've got in stock... And also check out Goboarding.com to see what's available... PureGlass...All stocked up! ___________________ Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 2008 Jared Mel, calm amongst chaos... in Newport Monday, Nov. 24st 2008 With perfect lighting and wind conditions, I shot some longboard images zt Blackies one day recently, and then tried to pitch them to a few publications. What I found was is the interest in longboard images is still nil for both internet and print publications. With the recent demise of Longboard Magazine, there's now really no home for longboard photos. Which is unfortunate as there's some great longboarding being done at Blackies. For a slideshow of the Blackies longboard images, as well as a few other photos from around Newport that same day... Click either photo below for a link directly to a photo album. And then click "Watch & Edit Dotphoto Show" and "Full Screen" to view a slideshow. Alex K.... gliding. Tyler H.... slicing. One day in Newport Monday, Dec. 8th, 2008 A frames... Friday morning in Newport _______________ Friday, Dec. 5th. 2008 *Early Riser...* in Newport ________________ Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, 2008 RVCA's Pat Towersey perfoming R & D... in Newport _______________________ Monday, Dec. 1st, 2008 Monday's forecast... Grey fog in Newport ______________ Wed., Nov. 26h, 2008 Clean blue sparkling water... in Newport _____________________ Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2005 The Reef Hawaiian Pro is in the books. Click the image below to see recent footage from the North Shore, and the event. OTW... Hawaii (Photo Copyright Cozad 2008) ____________ Dec. 29th, 2008 The waves over the past few weeks have been a bit of a wreck. Wind, rain, cold dirty water and small surf has plagued Newport. The day after Christmas, last Friday, however saw a bump in windswell, and some of the Newport and Huntington crew were on it. Christian S. "wind" surfing... Last Friday in Newport _____________ Dec, 26th, 2008 If Santa had delivered... to Newport ________________________ *Christmas Day, 2008* *From our family to you and yours, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year....* _______________________ *Christmas Eve...* He's Coming..... to Newport Tuesday, Jan. 6th, 2008 My camera equipment has never been covered with so much dust. Outside of one windblown morning, all my gear has sat idol on it's shelf for 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, I've lost count. Instead of shooting I've been groveling in the dumpy surf like everyone else... But yesterday, with sunny skies and solid surf in the forecast, I was hoping to score some good images...From the Newport to HB Pier, I scoured every inch of the coast... and after over 2 hours I came up with only eight boring photos... Man my photography this winter sucks. Yesterday... in Orange County. ________________ Monday, Jan. 5th, 2009 Go surf! Friday, Jan. 9th Last Sunday the surf in Southern California finally started waking up. I was in San Diego County, and it was really fun, as was Orange and Ventura Counties from reports. To see a slideshow of some of the So. Cal action during the recent run of surf, click a photo below. Huntington and... Newport finally wake up. ______________ Thursday, Jan, 22nd, 2009 Cannon C., slicing at sunset. Last Saturday, in Newport ____________________ Wed. Jan, 28th, 2009 After a week of fun surf.., Newport has now returned to small surf status, along with perfect conditions.. And unfortunately it doesn't look like things will change until at least next week... Lighting up the small surf of Newport *(Photos copyright Cozad* ) The Newport Beach replenishment project is about to get underway. The project consists of transporting approx. 130,000 cubic yards of sand from south of the mouth of the Santa Ana River and to at or near the groin fields between 36th and 56th Streets. *Island Invasion* Tomorrow begins "Ski Week". That time of year when local students are out of school for an entire week... although it should be called Surf & Ski Week, as a lot of families in Newport head out of town on surf trips. During ski week, Hawaii is always a big draw. Newport shaper Dano and his clan will be on Kauai, Newport foam magnet Ty Peterson and his crew of family and friends will be on Oahu, and my family will be on Maui. If anyone heads off in search of surf during this week, and has a camera, internet access and wants to email over a few images while on their trip, I'll try and get them up. Check back next week... A few images from Maui will hopefully get posted... *Hawaii* Wed., July 9th, 2008 Surfing Perfection Last Feb. at the tail end of a storm, I had the opportunity to head far south in hopes of catching a giant swell. Now it's easier to turn an aircraft carrier around in the harbor than it is to change the coarse of my week, but after a few phone calls, it sounded like the swell and forecasted conditions might happen, so I called in favors to get off work, and went... and luckily I scored. The new Surfing Magazine came out this weekend, and low and behold on page 134 there's a double page image of a perfect right point with a lone guy standing on a boat looking right into an empty barrel. What you can't see is that lone guy is holding a camera, and trying to shoot the beast as it's peeling down the point at him. Yeah, my dumb self, again. In the photo, the lineup is empty because while there were 2 tow teams way out the back, the image was taken shortly after sunrise and nobody had paddled out yet. Man was I frothing for someone, anyone, to get out there and start dropping in! Below is the photo that was taken as the image in Surfing Magazine was being taken... Way, way overhead... Way, way south of Newport... __________________________ At 5 This 4th of July was NewportSurfShots.com's 5th year anniversary. Yea I didn't think this website would last that long either... Five years ago, when I started messing around with a camera, I ran into childhood friend Danny Kwock, then marketing guru of Quik. And he told me it would take 5 years before I'd be producing really marketable surf photos. So over that next 5 years I did everything I could to gain experience... I shot in fog, rain, and bad lighting conditions. I took every crappy surf photo shoot that people were naive enough to give me, and I spent a ton of time trying to figure out unique ways of taking a surf photo... And now at the 5 year mark, I've come to the realization... that I still have a long way to go before I start producing really good marketable surf photos. Oh well... GO!!... in Newport _______________ Tuesday, Oct. 14th. 2008 Newport Bailout... (Photo by Susan Cozad) _________________________ The Riggio's Local surfer Joe Riggo Jr's mother and father are currently dealing with extremely serious illnesses. Most people in town know Joe Sr. as the friendly happy go lucky guy that often took time out of his day to shoot photos of tthe Newport High School surf team. Click below for updated information on how both Mr. and Mrs Riggio are doing, and to leave a message of support. Joe Jr... in Newport Wed., Oct. 8, 2008 Logan D... ____________________ Thursday, Oct. 16th, 2008 Taylor Know riding in, Dr. Tim Brown, walking out... in Newport _____________________ Thursday, Aug. 21st, 2008 Practicing for the Olympic Hurdle... Gromania... @ the Newport Pro Wed. Oct. 15th, 2008 After weeks of swells from every direction... Newport returned to normal... Last Tuesday. Monday, Oct. 27th, 2008 Last Sat. was one of those eight days of the year that Newport gets really really good.... And while you can't be everywhere... you can try. Below is a few images taken while shooting as much of the day as possible... Halloween, check back for a link to a slideshow of the Blackies Classic 5th Anniversary Halloween Costume Event. A sandbar at sunrise... 9:15am, Silliness @ Blackies 11:45am, Upper Jetties stands tall 1:15pm, water images somewhere else The Wedge. at sunset ________________________ Nov. 4th, 2008 *"Did you Vote?"* _______________________________ Nov. 6th, 2008 The below surf spot was on fire for what seemed like the entire month of October, and word quickly spread about it. Every day there were more and more new faces in the concentrated line-up. Lorin below, has put more time in at this particular wave than just about anyone, and you had to feel for him, as he quietly sat there watching all the jockeying going on all around him... Lorin nabs one to himself In the light... in Newport Nov. 11, 2008 Atwater's "Spides" looking for a way out. Wed., Nov. 26h, 2008 Clear green sparkling water... not today in Newport ____________________ Thanksgiving & Weekend Happy Thanksgiving from NewportSurfShots.com *Turkey hand jive..* (Photo by Bart Tucker) Nov. 24st 2008 With perfect lighting and wind conditions, I shot some longboard images recently, and then tried to pitch them to a few publications. What I found was the interest in longboard photos still just isn't there for either internet or print publications... With the recent demise of Longboard Magazine, there's now really no home for longboard photos. Which is unfortunate as some crazy good longboarding is being done at Blackies. For a slideshow of recent images, mixed with some images from last summer, check out Today's, and tomorrow's slideshow by following the info. below. Monday's Slideshow... Click "NewportSurfshots.com" above , click "Albums", click the album "PART 1 SUMMER AND NOVEMEBER", and click "Watch The Slideshow"... Alex K.... gliding. Tyler H.... carving. in Newport Blackies... as seen from a really tall ladder. __________________ Sept 11, 2008 *The No Fall Zone..* Friday, Sept 12, 2008 Volcom's Chris Mclaughlin, rocking Newport... _____________ Tuesday, Sept. 9th The Surfer Poll and Video Awards was recently held. Click the image below for more info... Taylor Knox, hoping for a good result at the Poll Awards, and the Boost...@ Lowers Thursday, Aug. 14th, 2008 I ended up on a boat in Mexico recently with the guy below, World Wake Board Champion Brian Francis from Lake Havasu. Brian walked away from pro Wake Boarding recently and became a fireman. Reason being you can't support a family traveling the world competing in the extreme sport. Brian rarely surfs, maybe once or twice a month, and if you saw him paddling around it would be pretty obvious, as he tries to catch a wave... but once he does catch a wave, he absolutely tears the thing apart. Airs, hacks, big carves, you name it... It's like watching a guy in a surf class trying to get a wave, but when he does, he throws big air reverses all the way to the beach... Former World Wake Board Champion Brian Francis... Somewhere in Mexico. _____________ Wed., Aug. 13th, 2006 Grom Attack... Blake, in Newport _____________________ SUP's They're here, and it appears they're here to stay... Quiksilver's Tom Holbrook has to be one of the founding fathers of Stand Up Paddle board surfing in the area. He rides an SUP board extremely well, really enjoys it..and got hooked on it long ago. Over the last year or so a lot of residents in the Lower Jetties of Newport have also purchased the monster boards and are now hooked on riding them when the surf is small, and around the harbor. 360's, hang tens, roundhouses, these young and older surfers are ripping on them. And for now, SUP board riders and surfers are amicably coexisting in town... Legendary surfer Mikey Munoz... Keeping the stoke alive at 71 years young... ________________________ Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, 2008 They're back!.... In School For Newport surfers, the best time of the year begins today. School's back in session, the "weeklies" have packed up and gone home, and once again there's parking. And with a healthy run of Southern Hemi swells lining up, it looks to be a pretty good September. As Newport surf icon, "Wano", says of the now emptied line-ups... "This time of year, is my time of year". "Wano"... Always excited about September __________________ Preparing for a bumpy landing... in Mexico __________________ Wed. Sept. 3, 2008 If you've ever been to Salt Creek or Lowers, and seen a guy shooting with a big white Canon lens, a rock solid tripod, and a big smile on his face... undoubtedly it's premier surf photographer Craig Coppola. Coppola has been shooting on and off for many years, and his large portfolio of photos that have appeared in every surf magazine there is, is a testament to the fact that the guy is talented. Because Coppola is a fixture at Creek and Lowers... When he shows up in Newport, it's a pretty good indication that neither of those places are all that good. Newport... by Craig Coppola Friday, Sept 19th, 2008 I'm out of the water with a fractured ankle, and so will be shooting a lot more. If you need photos for a portfolio or an ad, and would like images, please get ahold of me. This, can fracture you neck... in Newport PureGlass's Eric Scheafer Slashing South Side. in Newport There's a crew of jetty dwellers that are pretty impressed with this kids go for it attitude.. and at only 11 years old, he's another Newport grom to keep an eye on in the future. Chase D. avoiding the rocks... in Newport _________________________ _____________ HotShot Archive Surfing for her life Four years ago Newport surfer Kerry Pedlow's stepdaughter, Dominique, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgeries, aggressive chemotherapy, radiation and drug therapy. She got through all of it and has lived for the past four years cancer free. Recently however Dominique was rediagnosed with Breast Cancer, and will now undergo a radical mastectomy as well as reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation and drugs once again. Dominique is a freelance artist who writes books and works in filmmaking, and is a single mom with 2 children. Once she has the surgery she will be unable to work. And she is currently faced with many medical expenses which will not be covered by insurance. This weekend Newport surfer Kerry Pedlow is setting out on a Surf Athon in support of Dominique... When: Saturday, September 27, 2008 – 7AM to 3PM Where: San Onofre State Park, between Dog Patch and Old Man’s What: Kerry will spend eight NONSTOP hours surfing. He will not leave the water at all during that time. Volunteers will paddle out supplies of food and water, but he will not leave the ocean. He will be easily spotted in the water wearing a wetsuit and pink t-shirt. How can you participate? Kerry's goal is to receive pledges of $25.00 for each hour he spends surfing. Actually whatever anyone is willing to donate would be appreciated. For those of you who donate at least $75.00 and spend the entire eight hours at the beach, Kerry will be treating them to a wonderful dinner at a local restaurant. That's appetizers, drinks and desert! Plus, you will receive a commemorative T-shirt of the event. *Please click the photo below for more info. And check this week in the Orange County Register* for more info. Kerry makes it his mission every year to put together the craziest Halloween costume to surf in, This weekend however his mission is to help his stepdaughter in her fight against cancer.... _____________________ Aug. 20th, 2008 Newport's Ryan Haeger returned recently from Indo where he scored 6 - 12ft. surf during the entire time. "It was a trip of a lifetime" says Ryan, "Our captain was on the conditions where ever we went and I saw some of the best waves I've ever seen! A beautiful place with no hustle, no cars, no smog, only a few people, and the Milky Way at night." Newport's Ryan Haeger. In deep, In Indo _______________ Tuesday, Aug. 19th, 2008 Newport's Bryan Marleaux has been traveling the world for years for his Grace World Ministry's, and searching out perfect waves.. Here is his latest update... "The Way Things Ought To Be" Summer Surfing in France California summers can become a bummer when the dreaded "Blackball" flag comes out. Everyone has experienced crowded days in Newport when their area gets blackballed and they get herded into a tiny little area where drop-ins and collisions can occur. France on the other hand does things quite differently: At each beach the swimmers are the ones herded into an area about 100 yards long. These areas are located in front of a lifeguard tower, and if the swimmers happen to drift outside of this flagged area, they're immediately called out of the water and sent back to it. This is practiced up and down most of the coast. . And because the sun sets much later in the evening... It's possible to surf until 10:00 PM during August without the need of a wetsuit, as the water's 72 degrees. And you can surf until as late as 11pm during June and July. Vive la Surf de France!** Bryan Marleaux, in France. __________________ Monday, Aug. 18th, 2008 Laboring your love... @ PureGlass Local 44th st. surfer Lorin E. attended the City of Newport Beach's recent council meeting on the proposed sand relocation project. Lorin noted he had a good conversation with Mike Sinacori (City Engineer) and Chris Webb (Coastal Scientist) about the project. And stated they seem very receptive to the proper placement of the sand (ie shaping it to enhance the local surfing sand bars). Respected Newport city beach activist Jim Brooks also attended the meeting. He plans to ask the city 3 questions in advance of the next public hearing, so that they have time to adequately prepare clear cut answers. Those questions are... (1) What will the width of the beach be after the sand dumping? (2) What will the sand height be? (3) What will the slope of beach be? During the recent meeting Lorin did note one surprise. In a separate project, the city will be dredging the back bay and dumping the sand near the shore in the Santa Ana River Jetties/Prospect st. area in a week or so. The project is a done deal, and while it appears it won't have any impact on the surf, the dredge material does contains 70% sand, and 30% silt and 'other stuff'... That material that is silt and other stuff is planned to be dropped into the ocean at a site far offshore. Additional info. about the beach expansion project can be viewed here as it becomes available. ____________ Below is a blurred image from one of one of the heaviest barrels I've ever shot. The sequence won't be released on the internet... as it's being saved for print. Greg Long waited patiently out the back for a bomb to come in Monday. He scratched into it, drove throw it like a bulldozer, got annihilated by the lip, and came up with 2 pieces of his board. The guy is one of the nicest people you could meet, and is super human in the water. Greg Long... A long way from making it out... Wed. June 11th, 2008 Finally! Billabong USA reached into the unique world of big wave surfing to acquire big wave aficionado Greg Long as its latest member of the Billabong team. But this highly respected, humble, young Californian has done a lot more than most people think in his first 25 years. Besides riding 60 foot monster waves, Greg has been attacked by a Tiger Shark, named one of Fittest Fifty Americans in Men’s Fitness, achieved top amateur competitive status, traveled to six continents and won Billabong XXL awards in several categories. “It is so refreshing to see in this day and age a surfer who has achieved so much already, and is still so down to earth and appreciative of being a part of something as special as surfing,” stated Billabong’s VP Marketing, Graham Stapelberg. “We look forward to a long and rewarding partnership.” Greg Long... going it alone no more. April 15th, Tax Day! Transworld Surf photo editor Arron Checkwood... excited about Tax Day. ________________________- Newport Super Artist Robb Havassy has come out with a signature sandal... and they are pretty cool! Click the photo below, check them out, and get a pair on your feet! Robb... going barefoot on his Robert August signature model... in Newport ___________________________ Team Atwater... Representing in Newport ____________________________ Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Cold Water Cutty... Monday in Newport __________________________________ The *F54* crew! --------------------------- Happy Father's Day Weekend From NewportSurfShots.com Eric and Vivian... enjoying a little father/daughter time... @ Blackies. __________________________ What's missing in the photo below? West Newport without the high wires... _______________ Newport's Andrew Doheny, @ Studio 54... ____________________________ *Friday, June 6th, 2008* Arnette Team Marketing guru, Brent B.... ____ Monday, June 2nd, 2008 Todd Elder of Newport Surf Camp put together a surfing class this school year called the Newport Junior Surf Team. The class, consisting of kids from Newport Heights, Newport Elementary and Ensign Middle schools, met before school a couple mornings each week for a surf, and had a blast honing their skills in the water. The class is planned to be back next school year. And look for info. on Newport Surf Camp's Intermediate Contest training camp at 36th street this summer. It's a class coached by the camp's instructors, which include Hurley team rider Ian Calderon... The future of Newport Surfing. Newport Beach's Tsunami warning system Yesterday from 10 a.m. to noon, the City of Newport Beach tested and evaluated tsunami siren systems to help identify which system should be considered for the community. Several voice and siren systems were tested at the Balboa Pier during this two-hour period. The siren systems were heard throughout the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, portions of Corona Del Mar and other areas within at least a one-mile radius of the Balboa Pier. Up to four siren and voice systems were tested intermittently and each system individually sounded for up to three minutes. Plug your ears!!! It's loud... in Newport __________________ Warning, hitting this structure is hazardous to your health... ________________ Blackies surfing icon Peter Kalionzes was ripped offt! Blackies Pete was on 31st St a few weeks ago.. On top of Pete's car, in a Prolite bag, was a 9'0 Cordrell that Nick had presented his dad for his birthday. When he came out of the office... the board was gone. The board has a single stringer, with an Orange Cordell lam on the top and bottom, and Pete's name, along with a note from Cordell, written on the foam. Please be on the lookout for this board... we all are! Pete enjoying his birthday present... ______________________ ... in Newport Monday July 7th, 2008 Due to the large presence of law enforcement again this 4th of July, Newport remains in one piece. The general consensus is there were more people than usual roaming the streets, but they were mellower than usual. Undoubtedly if you were in town you had a great time... unless you were arrested. _______________________________ Wed., July 2nd, 2008 For a slideshow of surf action in the Pacific druing the month of June... Click the photo below. Early Summer time sharing... June 08', in Newport __________________ 2008 NSSA Nationals Click the photo below for photos and editorial of the Womens' Division of the 2008 NSSA Nationals. Praying that a few good waves will come her way... @ NSSA Nationals Click the photo below for photos and editorial of the NSSA Mens' division Even during contests, no wave goes unridden... @ Lowers ________________________________ Newport Super Artist Robb Havassy has come out with a signature sandal... and they are pretty cool! Click the photo below, check them out, and get a pair on your feet! Robb... going barefoot on his Robert August signature model... in Newport ------------------------------------------------- AtWater's Spencer P., loosening up before Wedge season begins. ______________________ Factor 54 is all about the kids. Look their grom surf series, Freaks of the Peak starting in late July. Factor's Leon M., above the peak... @ 5-4. _________________ If you've had Lowers on the brain the past month, it's time to forget about it for a while. Today, through Saturday, Lowers is hosting the NSSA National Championships. Check back Monday for a link to a slideshow and editorial of the event. Coco Ho in training, Sat. @ Lowers _____________________ Monday, June 23rd, 2008 For 4 days over the past week Lowers was as good as it gets, And because most of the coast was closed out, everyone, including the WCT elite, showed up. I was lucky enough to find time to shoot it 2 of those days from the water, and it was so cool to swim in nice size surf with a camera again. Look for a lot more water images from NewportSurfShots over the summer. Click the photo below for a link to a slideshow of the Trestle's Super Sessions. North Shore legend Micheal Ho... Making the 50 year old and over crew proud. ___________________________ Team Atwater... Representing in Newport ____________________________ Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Cold Water Cutty... Monday in Newport __________________________________ The *F54* crew! --------------------------- Happy Father's Day Weekend From NewportSurfShots.com Eric and Vivian... enjoying a little father/daughter time... @ Blackies. ________________________________ What's missing in the photo below? West Newport without the high wires... __________________________ Wed. June 11th, 2008 Finally! Billabong USA reached into the unique world of big wave surfing to acquire big wave aficionado Greg Long as its latest member of the Billabong team. But this highly respected, humble, young Californian has done a lot more than most people think in his first 25 years. Besides riding 60 foot monster waves, Greg has been attacked by a Tiger Shark, named one of Fittest Fifty Americans in Men’s Fitness, achieved top amateur competitive status, traveled to six continents and won Billabong XXL awards in several categories. “It is so refreshing to see in this day and age a surfer who has achieved so much already, and is still so down to earth and appreciative of being a part of something as special as surfing,” stated Billabong’s VP Marketing, Graham Stapelberg. “We look forward to a long and rewarding partnership.” Greg Long... going it alone no more. ______________________________ Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 For photos and editorial of last weekend's Arnette Jr. Pro in Newport, click the photo below. Arnette's Brent Beardon, Junior Pro Winner Cory Arambide, Newport groms with free stuff, and the unique Junior Pro Trophy. *Happy People... @ the Junior Pro* _______________ Newport's Andrew Doheny, @ Studio 54... ____________________________ *Friday, June 6th, 2008* Arnette Team Marketing guru, Brent B.... ________________ June 5th, 2008 Who's Your Surf Shop? Froghouse, SurfSide, Jacks... compete in the Southern California Quiksilver Surf Shop Challenge today, Friday. Click the photo below for the final results. Let The Battle Begin!.. @ 5-4 Monday, June 2nd, 2008 Todd Elder of Newport Surf Camp put together a surfing class this school year called the Newport Junior Surf Team. The class, consisting of kids from Newport Heights, Newport Elementary and Ensign Middle schools, met before school a couple mornings each week for a surf, and had a blast honing their skills in the water. The class is planned to be back next school year. And look for info. on Newport Surf Camp's Intermediate Contest training camp at 36th street this summer. It's a class coached by the camp's instructors, which include Hurley team rider Ian Calderon... The future of Newport Surfing. _________________ _____________ If you haven't seen the Surfline slideshow of early June's swells, click the photo below... Matt Davis, stoked about the swell, not stoked about the board... ________________________ Newport Beach's Tsunami warning system Yesterday from 10 a.m. to noon, the City of Newport Beach tested and evaluated tsunami siren systems to help identify which system should be considered for the community. Several voice and siren systems were tested at the Balboa Pier during this two-hour period. The siren systems were heard throughout the Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, portions of Corona Del Mar and other areas within at least a one-mile radius of the Balboa Pier. Up to four siren and voice systems were tested intermittently and each system individually sounded for up to three minutes. Plug your ears!!! It's loud... in Newport __________________ Warning, hitting this structure is hazardous to your health... ________________ Blackies surfing icon Peter Kalionzes was ripped offt! Blackies Pete was on 31st St a few weeks ago.. On top of Pete's car, in a Prolite bag, was a 9'0 Cordrell that Nick had presented his dad for his birthday. When he came out of the office... the board was gone. The board has a single stringer, with an Orange Cordell lam on the top and bottom, and Pete's name, along with a note from Cordell, written on the foam. Please be on the lookout for this board... we all are! Pete enjoying his birthday present... ______________________ ... in Newport ___________________________ For a slideshow of some of last weekend's south swell action, click the photo below... Atwater's "Spides"... Throwing water... Newport ____________ You might have heard that Northern Baja was getting back to normal. Reportedly violence has been down and police are being more than cordial to all traveling tourist. But last weekend a nail was once again driven into the tourist economy. Click the photo below... The real victims of the violence... Those that rely on the tourist economy... (Photo copyright Cozad 2007) __________________________ Stoked for a buddy... in Newport _____________________________ Mr. Adam Popp Last year everyone in town was unbelievable supportive of Newport's Adam Popp during his fight with cancer... and Adam beat the destruction disease! Unfortunately however, the cancer returned. Here is Adam's story... "In late February I began having some side and back pain that felt like a pulled muscle. I was due for a CT scan the beginning of March, so I just waited for that. It turned out that a lymph node on the right side of my abdomen had the same type of cancer that I had last summer, and it was now pinching my ureter, causing my kidney and bladder to back up, thus causing the pain. I had a stint placed in my ureter mid March and then began the first of 20 treatments of Radiation Therapy March 24. My last treatment was 10 days ago and the Radiation has left me with an upset stomach and extreme fatigue. I am scheduled for a CT scan the beginning of May to see if the Radiation did it's job." Please keep Adam in your thoughts and prayers... Adam Popp staying fit with a healthy dose of surfing... Wed., in Newport _________________________ April 15th, Tax Day! Transworld Surf photo editor Arron Checkwood... excited about Tax Day. _______________________________ Caught in the action During the 80's and into the 90's anyone that surfed Newport was estatic to have their photo taken by surf photographer Mike Moir. Back then there wasn't the army of would be photogs stumbling all over each other in town like there are now. There was mainly Randy Johnson, Dick McCoy, and Master Moir who shot the surf in Newport. On Oct. 20th, "Offshore Sunday" of this year, I ran into Mike while I was shooting off 56th jetty. He had a camera with a fisheye lens in a housing, and he had it set high up on a pole. Pure Genius!! And although he told me not to worry about it, I tried my best to stay out of his way while he was at work. Still though I thought I might be getting in his shots, so I packed up and moved elsewhere, eager to see where his photos of the session would end up, and what they'd look like. When I got home from work the other night, my wife and I flipped through the new issue of Surfer Magazine. And Low and Behold there it was, a double page spread by Mike Moir from that day... but with my dumb self standing right in the middle of the photo... Damn, I wish they hadn't Photo Shopped out the NewportSurfShots.com on the back of my shirt... Master Moir @ work... "Offshore Sunday" in Newport ___________________ Crime in Baja Milano Walker is a kid originally from the States, who's family has moved to Baja. They live in Las Gaviotas, a small private community south of Rosartio, that is rich in fun surf. Milano says there aren't a lot of jobs for high school kids in the area, so he's started a business taking photos of visiting surfers. If you're ever in the area, and want a few images of yourself surfing, please get ahold of him... surfrat91@cox.net One question that's on a lot of people's mind lately is... Is Baja safe? Many have heard about the 90% reduction in tourism, the kidnappings, the car jackings, and the brazen drug cartel shootings in broad daylight. Milano sheds some light on the situation. "The crime has been a big concern down here, because a lot of people are canceling trips to Baja. Two of our neighbors are property managers, and it's been one of their worst years for rentals ever, but honestly the media has played up the drama as much as possible. People here are beginning to forget about the violence that occurred earlier in the year, and the truth is there are plenty of places far more dangerous in California. As long as you don’t make yourself a target while in Baja, no one will bother you. What was happening is that there was a change in government power in late December, and when that happens the cartel starts acting out as the old police chief and governors are on their way out, and the new government is coming in. This then continues until about February when the new administration is able to get control of the situation. There was an article in Transworld Surf that put out the statistics behind the recent crime wave. I’m not exactly sure what the order was but I know countries like Costa Rica and Indo were reported to have much higher crime rates. Most people that are getting attacked are people driving their Escalades or big trucks with a couple dirtbikes on a trailer, or the lone member of a surf caravan that falls far behind. The main things to remember are that people are being robbed not killed, and generally speaking not physically harmed. People are only being targeted at night, and only in areas where there are no witnesses. The cartel knows that the second they start killing people or attacking in broad daylight, it's over. The Government will come down on them so hard, that they won’t know what hit them. Two people associated with our community have been car jacked. One drove upon a car jacking on the way to their home up in the hills and their car was taken, and another was robbed on their way back from Cabo when they were pulled over in their Escalade around 2:00 a.m. I don’t want to try and persuade people to come to Baja against their own conscience, but the facts are facts. The Government and Military are good guys, and they’re cracking down on the Cartels. The Federales (Government police) are good as well. And while the local police can be corrupt, there’s been a big crackdown on their entire force with random weapons checks and what have you. If you don’t give yourself off as a target, no one will bother you, and if you speak the language, people will respect you. Plain and simple you must show respect and have common sense." I'm lovin my new bike! South of the Border ____________________