The proposed monument to women surfers in Pleasure Point is drawing both strong support and familiar resistance. But as a co-creator of Santa Cruz’s iconic “To Honor Surfing” statue, author Brian W. Curtis says he’s seen how meaningful public art can shape community identity. He believes the monument is thoughtfully designed and locally rooted and, since it’s privately funded, he says it won’t cost taxpayers anything. It’s time, he writes, to trust the vision and recognize the women who help define our surf culture.
Surfing
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
The last patch of old Santa Cruz dirt: Pleasure Point’s female surf statue is kicking up a community dilemma
OPINION: While Pleasure Point’s female surfer statue has broad support, Nikki Hotvedt takes issue with the proposed location and a process she says has moved forward too quickly.
Posted inLatest News
Prominent surfer Kurt Van Dyke, killed in Costa Rica, remembered for ‘spiritual connection’ to the ocean
As Costa Rican and international authorities investigate the killing of prominent surfer and Santa Cruz native Kurt Van Dyke, friends and family remember his deep love for surfing and the intense connection he had with adventure and the ocean.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Surfer statue ‘to honor the women of the water’ proposed for Pleasure Point
The Pleasure Point resident spearheading the project said the statue would connect Santa Cruz’s Eastside to the Westside, where a bronze male surfer has stood with his board for nearly 35 years. The approximately 17-foot-tall monument with a female figure wearing a wetsuit and holding a longboard is proposed for a bluff along East Cliff Drive.
Posted inLatest News
Coast Guard suspends search for missing surfers near Steamer Lane after over 10 hours
As of Saturday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for two missing surfers near Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz after they were first reported calling for help at around 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Riding high on ‘Shark Tank’ success, Santa Cruz-based Surf Skull aims to make safety fashion-forward
Head and neck injuries are one of the most common and potentially serious injuries for surfers, and yet helmet use remains relatively rare. That’s what the team behind Surf Skull hopes to change with their take on a surf helmet that pairs function with fashion.
Posted inLatest News
Surfer rescued from The Hook during rough waters Nov. 5 dies
Nathaniel J. Ramirez, a 19-year-old Morgan Hill resident rescued from dangerous conditions off Pleasure Point on Nov. 5, died two days later from injuries sustained in the incident, according to Santa Cruz County authorities. Officials say the cause of death remains under investigation.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The mystery of Mom and Dad: Surfer Kyle Thiermann advises on how to get to know your parents, and yourself, on a deeper level
Writer, podcaster and big-wave surfer Kyle Thiermann has written his first book, which serves as both a memoir of growing up in the surf community in Santa Cruz and a practical guide in getting to know your parents better.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Local fintech company’s latest acquisition; startup pitches surf helmet on ‘Shark Tank’
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on Paystand expanding payments to include some types of cryptocurrencies, previews a local startup’s appearance on “Shark Tank” and notes the debut of the Lookout List.
Posted inLatest News
Two surfers rescued at The Hook, one hospitalized
Two surfers were rescued from rough waters at The Hook off the intersection of East Cliff Drive and 41st Avenue on Wednesday morning, one of whom was hospitalized.