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Scenes From Santa Monica On The Last Day Of 2021



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Scenes from Santa Monica on the last day of the year, Friday, December 31, 2021. Happy New Year!"

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

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New Year Surf Forecast

Saturday, January 1st: Short-period NW swell drops, cleans up with offshore wind. 3-4′ surf early. NW swell mix eases through the day after a predawn peak. Surf is waist-stomach high at average exposures as decent winter spots pull in a few larger peaks to chest high. Surf is much cleaner with widespread offshore flow in the morning though many zones struggle with the morning high tide — let it drop some.

Sunday, January 2nd: Small and clean morning. 2-3′ surf for best winter breaks. Shorter period NW swell mix drops off through the day as some small new NW swell shows. Surf is below waist at average exposures as decent winter spots pull in a few rideable waves. Surf is clean most of the morning just keep in mind that many zones will struggle with the early high tide — let it drop some. Weaker offshore flow in the morning trends lightly onshore for the afternoon.



A fairly significant pattern shift is expected in the Gulf of Alaska this weekend. The persistent ridge of high pressure over the region will finally break down as models indicate strong low pressure developing in the region. That suggests potential for longer period NW swell mid to late next week. Most of the fetch is looking pretty steep (300+) for Southern California, which will limit size, but it should still offer a few fun waves for good winter breaks. Average breaks run waist-stomach high with lully sets to chest high for good spots later Tuesday into Wednesday the 5th. More mid-period, NW swell mix may follow for next weekend thanks to a storm expected to push across the northeast Pacific towards the West Coast. The direction is a touch more westerly than the midweek pulse and the period looks a bit shorter, so the nature of the swell could help spread a few more waves across the region.

Ballona Creek Overflowing

State Rte 23 Malibu Closed Due To Rock Slides



More Malibu road closures from Thursday's rain. Decker Canyon/Malibu: State Route 23 is closed on the south end at State Route 1 (PCH) due to mud & rock slides

Malibu Canyon Road Mudslide



Thursday's rain claims another road, Malibu Canyon Rd is reduced to one lane at HRL at noon, while a mudslide is being cleared.

PCH Closed California Incline Mudslide



More PCH road closures from Thursday's rain. Northbound State Route 1 (PCH) closed at the Santa Monica bluffs/Ocean Ave. onramp due to a mudslide. Traffic being taken off westbound I-10 at Lincoln Blvd. off ramp. City of Santa Monica is clearing drains at top of the bluffs.



Traffic being taken off westbound I-10 at Lincoln Blvd. off ramp. City of Santa Monica is clearing drains at top of the bluffs.

Leo Carrillo Flooded, People Rescued

At 4:22 a.m. L.A. County Fire Department responded to a water rescue call at Leo Carrillo State Park. Approximately 50 people assisted to safety, no injuries reported.

Tree Falls Onto PCH In Pacific Palisades



Thursday's rain caused a tree to fall onto PCH in Pacific Palisades. Northbound State Route 1 (PCH) closed at Chautauqua Blvd. Southbound PCH closed at Temescal Canyon Rd. Downed tree that brought down power lines.


Polar Bear Swim Postponed To January 9



Due to inclement weather forecasted for this weekend, the City of Santa Monica’s Polar Bear Swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House is postponed from Sunday, January 2 to Sunday, January 9, 2022.

While online registration for the event is full, registration for the ocean swim portion of the event is not required. Availability of walk-up passes to the pool and pool deck is anticipated the morning of the event, in limited capacity. Please contact the Annenberg Community Beach House with any questions at (310) 458-4904.

Venice Boardwalk Live Cam



Venice Clothing Store Broken Into



Clothing store on California Ave in Venice had it's window busted last night.

Jack's Surfboards Holiday Sale Continues




Jacks' Surfboards Holiday Sale Continues!

20% OFF store and sitewide at Jackssurfboards.com
through 1/9. Use Promo Code "SECRETSANTA" or show this flyer in stores to receive discount.⁠ ⁠

(This sale excluded Surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, booties, bikes, rainbow, gopro, yeti, theragun, gift cards, already discounted items.)


28th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon




On Saturday, December 11th, the 28th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon took place at the Venice Pier. This is Socal's longest running surf contest.

The Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest was founded in 1993 by Ger-I Lewis after returning home from military service. He had the idea to do something for the children, young adults and the community in general that is fun and has a positive influence on everyone. Funds raised by Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest go to Casa Del Padre in San Vincinte Baja Norte Mexico and to MLD Christian Charity School in Mucas Mindanao. Both of these schools serve children and women who have been trafficked and abused.



The Surf-A-Thon is also made possible by the many volunteers, such as Norm Antonio and Brock Mayeux (pictured above) who create the unique custom trophies every year.

Now here's the Shacked Mag recap of the 28th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon.


We were orginially going to wait to find out the official results before publishing this recap, but Ger-I misplaced the the list of winners after the awards ceremony, and those we contacted who attended the awards ceremony don't remember much. So this recap will be from the memory of our photographer Six12 Media and our Venice Beach correspondent Venice's O.G.Peck.




The contest kicked off surprisingly on time, with the groms hitting the water at 7AM.








Then a couple guys competed in the body surfing heat.




The Jr. Mens divisionwas next, Eitan Gobi got 2nd in it.








During the Women's Open Division, Julianna in the yellow jersey caught and surfed the most waves in our eyes.




Later we found out tht she placed 3rd, behind Nicole Lynchie (2nd) and Stephanie Wise (1st). "Judging surf contests is highly subjective. The difference was .5 points between 1st and 2nd place", stated Ger-I.







Beck Adler took his division, beating Cole Sweeney.









"Cole Sweeny, always a threat to win it all! He took home 2nd place being edged out by Beck Adler." Ger-I said, "They were going at back to back and a young guy named Ben kept the heat on too!"







Peck thought Tonan won the Longboard division because he saw him do a coffin, but the judges gave 1st to Norm Antonio and gave 2nd place to Brock Mayeux. The dude that did the handstand through the pier got 4th.







This set of contest surf photos was shot by Six12media and brought to you by XCEL Wetsuits.

These are just a few of the 600+ photos from this contest. If you were out there surfing, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo galleries for this event, check them out, the link to the complete galleries is down below.

Venice Surf-A-Thon 2021 Photo Gallery