Surfers know the ocean’s tendencies and temperaments better than anyone and should be part of the city’s climate resilience planning process, argue Santa Cruz surfing legends Nat Young, Peter Mel and Anthony Ruffo, along with neighborhood organizer Deborah Maddock Elston. Instead, they are being left out – as are any mention of west swells and bomb cyclones. Here, they push to know why and say the city is not doing enough to plan for a climate-resilient future for West Cliff Drive, the Beach Flats and Santa Cruz surf culture.
Surfing
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Paddlefest to return after six years
The Santa Cruz Paddlefest will return to Steamer Lane on March 28-30, for the first time in six years.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
The value of a wave: Can Santa Cruz surfing be saved from climate change?
Climate change threatens the existence of more than 30 of Santa Cruz’s most popular surf breaks. To protect waves before they disappear, Save the Waves Coalition, Black Surf Santa Cruz and Integral Consulting are assessing the economic value of the area’s surf breaks and surfing culture with a new study that could make the case for prioritizing surfing in climate resilience planning.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
The Barney Effect: New film looks back at the charisma and creativity of a Santa Cruz surf legend
A new film by documentarian Josh Pomer looks back fondly on the life and passions of the late surfer/artist Shawn “Barney” Barron, one of Santa Cruz’s most enduring characters. “Particle Fever” screens Thursday at the Rio Theatre.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz surfers: We can do better at calling out racism in the water
Liza Monroy witnessed a racist altercation at Steamer Lane this past week. She intervened to stop it and is saddened that other surfers didn’t join her. She tells her story here.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
How my Brazilian friend’s skimboarding dreams came true in Santa Cruz
For Brazilian skimboarder Leo Freitas, riding waves in Santa Cruz was a dream come true. On July 20, he joined 22 of the world’s best skimboarders on Seabright Beach to compete in the Tac Skimblast, skimboarding’s main international professional tour. Santa Cruz native Evan Quarnstrom, who befriended Freitas during his year traveling and surfing abroad and served as a judge in the competition, writes about the lasting impact Santa Cruz has had on Freitas and the way Freitas touched Santa Cruz surf culture with his infectious energy.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Sustainable surfboards: SwellCycle turns plastic hospital waste into unique boards
The health care industry is one of the largest waste-producing sectors in the nation, accounting for an estimated 14,000 tons of waste – daily. Now, three Santa Cruz entrepreneurs have found a way, using 3D printing tech, to use some of that waste and create flexible, more sustainable, surfboards, soon selling for $1,000-$2,000. Demoed by Santa Cruz surfer Tyler Fox and South Africa’s Grant “Twiggy” Baker, a champion big wave surfer, SwellCycle will take preorders soon.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz became only the second California city to close the gender pay gap in sports. How?
All city-sanctioned competitions in Santa Cruz that offer prize money must offer equal payouts to men and women. How is Santa Cruz only the second California city to require this?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Surfers, lawmakers push back against proposal to expand marine protections in Santa Cruz County
A petition by an environmental advocacy group to the state’s Fish and Game Commission would establish a state marine reserve off Pleasure Point and expand a reserve adjacent to Natural Bridges State Beach. Local lawmakers, along with the fishing and surfing communities, have come out against the idea.
Posted inLatest News
Former Olympian, acclaimed swim coach Richard Thornton died of accidental drowning
Legendary Bay Area coach Richard Thornton’s Jan. 4 death at The Hook in Pleasure Point has been ruled an accidental drowning, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. He was 65.