Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Good news for our beloved SanO. Los Angeles Times: Coastal Commission staff analysis recommends denying certification of the Foothill South project that would pass through San Onofre State Beach. Read more.

Global Surf News: By a vote of 6-2, the San Diego City Council voted to adopt a resolution supporting San Onofre State Beach Park and opposing the planned SR-241 toll road extension! Read more.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Surfline outlines three recent Save Trestles victories: 1. Congressional Committee insists that the Foothill-South Toll Road follow California laws. 2. Victory at Appellate Court: toll road lawsuits to be heard in San Diego County. 3.California Democratic Party passes resolution in favor of protecting San Onofre State Beach. Read more about the advances at Surfline.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Toll road interrupted: The Orange County Register reports that the Toll Road faces "such a dense thicket of environmental approvals that it will likely take until 2011 to begin construction, 2 1/2 years later than originally planned." Among the agencies that must approve the toll road: The California Coastal Commission, which has a long list of concerns. Commission analyst Mark Delaplaine told The Register "The campground is a huge issue. "It's almost unconscionable from our perspective – a highway that close to a campground valued mostly for its pristineness. We think it destroys (the park). It becomes unusable. You're not going to want to go there. It's such a breath of fresh air in Southern California; just a priceless resource." Read more.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Now posted: New pictures from a beautiful surfing sunday at SanO, July 23, 2006. Click here to browse the gallery.

I’ll bet you’ve all been wondering if SanOSurf had fallen victim to neglect. Well, I’ve actually been working on a project and have been buried in it now for the last 7 months. The good news is that I’m back and we will begin to see a more frequent adding to the pages of SanO Surf on a much more regular basis. It’s surprising how you forget about the things you really love until you can’t get to them as often as you’d like.

It wasn’t until just the other day when I was taking some photos of people at the beach that I too was again struck by how wonderful SanO truly is. San Onofre Beach has historically been a family beach. A place where children and elders can intermingle and share wonderful experiences that will stay with the participants for their entire lives.

It was one of those Sundays when the sun came out and the water had warmed up to record highs. The water was packed and everyone was in the euphoric summer mode. I had almost fallen asleep behind the camera when I spotted a father and daughter catching waves together. Mind you that happens here all the time but this time was so special because the daughter was a real youngster. A tiny ankle biter if you will. She was all decked out in a life preserver lying on the front of her dad board and having the time of her life.

As her dad caught waves and came down the face the young girl would get this great smile on her face. It was a smile that encompassed what surfing her is really all about. It was iconic of deep rooted joy. It was idealistically the epitome of real fun. Her face beamed with excitement and the thrill of the moment. I realized in the shooting of those images that that was exactly the feelings I had when I caught waves. It made me so happy to know that we all get the chance to share those kinds of moments with each other just as this young girl was doing with her father.

There are lots of times in life when we forget how wonderful a simple moment in life can be. We overlook the times when simple things really can make us joyous. Surfing brings out some of the best moments in life. Childlike enjoyment of the simplest things allow us to touch our souls. This is why SanO is such a special place. It allows us to find ourselves and touch real joy. What better way to go thru life? — Rick

Monday, February 27, 2006

Read the sad news on the Toll Road at latimes.com and Global Surf News.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

A Last Chance to Save Trestles. Thursday February 23 is the T-day: the day the Transportation Corridors Agency will vote on the alignment for the 241 Foothill South extension. Act now! Visit Surfrider's Save Trestles Action Alert, where you can -- with just a couple of clicks -- send a plea (in your own words or in a pre-written letter) to Governor Schwarzenegger to Save Trestles. Learn more at surfersvillage.com Global Surf News -- where they're urging readers to preserve Trestles for the groms.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Framing the issue: Hear Tuesday's toll road story from KCET's Life & Times or get a transcipt here. Also: Surfing's toll road update has a great roundup on recent "Save Trestles" action.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Act now! The Toll Road vote has been delayed! The Orange County Register reports that the governor's administration sent a letter to the Transportation Corridor Agency requesting "addtional time for the administration to review comments and concerns." The letter was co-signed by Secretary of the California Resources Agency Mike Chrisman and Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Sunne Wright McPeak, according to OC Weekly.

So the vote on whether or not to run a multi-lane freeway through our beloved SanO has been put off until February 23. So the is THE MOMENT to let the Schwarzenegger administration know how you feel. You can:

• Click here to get a printable postcard to send to the governor via Sierra Club.

• Click here to e-mail the governor via the official state web site

Effective activists say: Emails, postcards, and phone calls are good, but letters and faxes are the most effective and persuasive way of communicating your views to elected officials.

• Click here to get the administration's postal addresses, telephone and fax numbers.

• Click here for addresses to submit letters to the editors of newspapers.

• Click here for tips on writing effective letters to your elected officials.

Need some talking points?

• Click here to read the California State Park and Recreation Commission's resolution "Opposing a Proposed Toll Road Alignment and Request for Action to Protect San onofre State Beach." [.pdf]

• Click here to see a copy of Katie's letter to the governor, yours to copy and use -- whole or in part -- as you like.

Seize the moment we have been given! Take action to save SanO and Trestles today.

Monday, January 9, 2006

Warmest regards: Check out Rick's latest gallery from a warm January 5 at SanO.

Friday, January 6, 2006

Toll Road news from surfersvillage.com: "Last night, January 5, 2006, Oceanside City Council voted to oppose the proposed toll road through San Onofre State Park..." Read more at surfersvillage. And checkout savetrestles.org.

Friday, December 30, 2005

It was big. You were there. Here's the proof. Click the dates for galleries from December 28, December 22 and December 20.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Big Waves Days. Well, we've all been waiting a long time to see some real surf here in southern California but this week we finally got some size. San-O was amazing on Wednesday, Dec. 21 with waves that were in the 12 ft range. Unfortunately, the direction was such that only a few of the sets were doable with any length of ride at all. There were a few guys way outside that got some standout rides.

The real place to be was Uppers and Middles at Trestles. There were true 18ft faces there and guys who had the stamina to get out were showing the world how it was done. A few guys had the stuff to get to the outside and take on the biggest faces with style. The really sad thing was that guys who had no business out in this kind of surf were struggling inside and made it hard for the guys who could really ride to do the most with the waves that came in.

The funniest thing on the planet was watching some of the weekend warriors who rarely get in the water, try to get out in white water that was in many cases from 3 to 7 feet high and coming with 4 to 6 wave frequency. I watched a couple groups start out and after 25 - 30 minutes gave up and let the white water wash them back to shore.

The best event of the morning on that Wednesday was a couple of guys who I've never seen at the beach before get dressed talking excitedly about how great this was going to be. They got into their wetsuits and were taking their boards out of their bags as one of the pair looked over at one of the best surfers at San-O, who was quietly watching the pattern of the waves and deciding if he was going to go out at all, and said, "This is great stuff huh!" Without missing a beat, the San-O regular said, "Yeah it's great if you don't mind a serious beating going out." The newbie looked puzzled and went back over to his friend who was having a little trouble with his zipper. Let's get out and get some of
this, the excited newbie told his friend.

I watched as the two entered the water and proceeded to try to get through the insiders. The heavier set of the two was really having trouble but the excited one was doing fairly well and actually making some progress. The heavier set fellow was getting tired and it was easy to see that his time in the water was quickly drawing to an end. His more energetic friend however was get out about 150 yard or so. Right into the mouth of big wave hell. A couple of my friends came over and I pointed out this guy to them and we all began to watch as he got hit by one of the bigger sets of the morning. The 3rd wave of the set hit him so hard his board was jerked out of his hands and he was covered by about 6 feet of foam ball. He came up sputtering but hurried back onto his board and began to paddle again.

Outside, beyond him a 100 yards or so, a new impressive set was welling up and starting to really take shape. We could tell he saw it too because his efforts to pick up the pace increased dramatically. My friends and I stood up almost in unison as we realized that this set was going to take this poor guy on the head. It was one of those moments when everybody goes silent because you know instinctively what's gonna happen and in so many ways you feel for the impending doom of this poor guy.

The first wave of the set came and our paddling buddy made it over the top to the joy and hoots of all the onlookers. However, the second wave was building to remarkable height and we all knew that this guys was in for a real beating. None of us however ever imagined what was gonna happened next. It was like watching slow motion imagery. Our desperate paddling friend was now scratching for the top of ole #2 as it started to come over. Just as we thought he was going to make it over, it pitched and ole Mister Excited went over the falls backwards.

To his credit, he never let go of his board until it was ripped from his hands as he hit the surface some 12 feet below. There was a moment of silence but then unanimous uproars as guys started to express their awe of what they had just seen. Someone way up the parking lot shouted, "Oh my god, did you see that guy?"

When Mister Excited finally came back to the surface the white water had carried him about 30 yard closer to shore and he was really struggling to get back on top of his board. I watched for a while as he headed to the beach. He got out, sat at the top of the bank of sand for a long time. His heavy set friend finally went over to see him but we all knew his morning was done.

The best part of the big surf is the riding but also the constant source of entertainment that is supplied by all the surfers who believe they have what it takes to ride bigger waves and then find out the hard way that there's a hell of a lot more to riding waves this size than just a desire to be in the water. The fun and games should continue for another couple weeks because a few days ago the wave in the Hawaiian islands were 30 feet or better and on a bee line for us again. I only wish I'd had my camera for that spectacular over the falls event.
Suffice it to say, I won't miss another one of those.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year friends! I hope you all enjoy the season and hope that you have a great holiday ride. Be very careful out there however. I don't want you to be one of San-Os best bloopers. May all your big wave lessons be easy ones. Have fun and be safe. -- Rick Rickman

Got Rage? Try reading this from Dan Weikel at the Los Angeles Times:

A Southern California toll road agency has relied on high-ranking Bush administration appointees and members of Congress to advance construction of a controversial tollway through a state park.

Over the last six years, the Irvine-based Transportation Corridor Agencies has gained special legislation in Congress, as well as exemptions from the Endangered Species Act and federal highway regulations in its effort to build the Foothill South across San Onofre State Beach Park in north San Diego County. ... Read more.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

December to remember. Take in some swell stuff. Pix from Tuesday, December 20th are here. And from Thursday, December 22nd here.

Thursday, December 8, 2005

A bad day for SanO Dan Weikel writes in the Los Angeles Times: "After six years of environmental studies, Orange County toll road agency staff members recommended Tuesday that a controversial tollway be built through San Onofre State Beach — a popular coastal park that contains endangered species, unspoiled wetlands and world-renowned surfing spots. ..." Read more at the LAT.

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Step up for SanO and Trestles! For all you surfers who want to make sure one of the finest surfing locations on the west coast is maintained in its pristine and accessible manner, you better get your act together and be at the State Parks Commission Special Hearing this Thursday. The topic of discussion for this meeting is the Foothill-South Toll Road and its effects on San Clemente, the San Mateo Campground, and its proposed route directly through San Onofre State Park. The present proposed route for the road will destroy access to the Trestles surfing area and access to the beach.

Most surfers I know are always complaining about the constant degradation of surfing conditions. They complain that surfing is so important to them and there are things that effect the quality of surfing that they can't do anything about. Well, this is your chance to make a difference. The meeting in San Clemente on Thursday is designed to give people a chance to express their opinions about this proposed toll road route and give voice to the people who oppose a private company having the right to destroy California Park Property that is paid for with your tax dollars.

According to state officials, this road in its present form will destroy access to Trestles and some of the San Onofre State park. It will effect access to San Onofre and those surfing spots as well. Runoff pollution from the road is also a major concern.

It's also clear that the fees produced by this toll road benefit one business consortium. The money generated by tolls for this road doesn't go back into the public coffers, but right into the pockets of the owners of this business consortium. These same people want to take public property and destroy one of the remaining pristine California natural habitats in the construction of this needless road.

If you use SanO for surfing and recreation and if you know the importance of Trestles to the surfing community, it's very important that you attend this meeting and show your opposition to this needless proposed toll road route. If you surf and can't get galvanized to oppose this incredibly stupid idea, then you better never complain about anything openly again. Show your support for surfing and get to the meeting in San Clemente Thursday. Here is the information:

Please Attend the California State Parks Commission meeting in San Clemente, CA on Nov. 3, 2005 at 7 pm at the San Clemente Community Center Auditorium, 100 North Calle Seville (Corner of Seville and Del Mar) in San Clemente. Your presence at this hearing will let the commission and the governor know that we won't let our great surf at Trestles pay the toll! For more info, contact Ed Schlegel at 949-493-5642 or Brittany McKee at 949-361-7534. — Rick Rickman