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Showing posts with label Featured Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Featured Stories. Show all posts


Video by Mike Saijo



Baywatch Rescue Boats have a long history of providing Emergency Medical Services and Marine Search and Rescue response to the Los Angeles County Coastline. In this episode of Tales from the Tower, we take a look at the origins of the Baywatch Rescue Boats, how they have evolved over the years, and what services they currently provide for Los Angeles County.

By now, you most likely seen the headlines on some websites that Venice Beach was named the "Most Dangerous Beach In The Country".

Last month, some website based in Norway, that reviews outdoor gear (and sells them via affliate ads), Outforia.com, posted an article called Dangerous Coasts: The United States’ Most Dangerous Beaches.



"One of LA’s most well-known beaches tops the list as the most dangerous beach in the USA. With historical ties to gang activity and a particularly large homeless population, there is a high rate of crimes in the local area, contributing largely to the high danger score." is what the Norwegian kayaker guy wrote in his article.



Live conversation with Tim from the Mighty Under Dogs

The Mighty Under Dogs is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to the recreational rehabilitation of participants by exposing them to adaptive surfing taught by world-class instructors.



World Surf League event at the iconic Surfrider in Malibu, California.

Event winner Ben Skinner.

Video by Sealaka.


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Ian Bowen, dressed as Huell Howser for Halloween, gives us a tour of the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, October 31, 2021."

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


km4V Video by Cop Watch Venice

"The city has ignored the complaints and are covering up the environmental disaster spill from the Rose ave storm drain in Venice, CA. They drove the tractor over it and blocked the drain with sand again. Tons of trash, black sludge and needles are still all over the beach and they buried a lot you can't see. Do not go on the beach without boots. The entire beach has been poorly cared for the past year and is not much better."

Cop Watch Venice follows LAPD pacific division on world famous Venice beach, showing a point-of-view style cop watch and update on Venice's current conditions. We make edited shorts, full scenes and are working on a documentary about homelessness and city failures. Donate to Cop Watch Venice via Cop Watch Venice Paypal



Log Rap's coverage of the 2021 Malibu Classic.

"That was one for the ages. By far the best contest we've ever covered. The swell actually showed up and the behind the scenes action was all time. Major props to Devon Howard for getting the tribe back together and to WSL for letting us come along for the ride. Thanks to all the surfers/family/staff members who let us film and share their stories."

Video by Log Rap.

Filmed by
Ryan Cannon
Ryan Hackbarth
Josh Valera

Edited by
Ryan Cannon



Not a tutorial or a vlog. Just beautiful surfing by Harrison Roach and Nathan Strom in Malibu, California.

Video by Aloha Visuals.


The 2020/21' Longboard Tour concludes at the Jeep Malibu Classic pres. by Havaianas beginning on October 11 and 12.

The World Surf League (WSL) 2021 Longboard Tour will conclude at the Jeep® Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas on the shores of Malibu, California's iconic First Point. The competition will run over two days, on October 11 - 12, 2021, and will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com. Event organizers determined the run days within the October 3 - 13 window after working closely with swell forecasters to decide the best possible days.

Two-time WSL Longboard Champion and current No. 3 Joel Tudor (USA) searches for a historic third World Title to join the likes of Rusty Keaulana (HAW), Colin McPhillips (USA), and Taylor Jensen (USA), who is in search of making history of his own for a fourth World Title. Tudor's 2020 Noosa Longboard Classic victory notched his first win in over a decade, after his hiatus from competing, to set him up for a big finish after earning an equal fifth at the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic. Now, the 45-year-old has the opportunity to add his name to that illustrious list.

"I've been coming to Malibu since I was a kid," reflected Tudor. "First with my parents for club contests, then with Donald Takayama where we'd meet up with his friends Skip Frye, Nat Young and so many more. There is so much history at that spot. The local surfers and characters that define the place - it has always been the place for us longboarders that defines performance. It's the best longboard wave in the world, and to win another World Title there after more than a decade break would mean a lot to me and my family."

"I was at a Final here decades ago, the last time the WSL decided a World Title at Malibu, and I lost in the final to Russ K (Keaulana)," added Tudor. "Winning here all these years later would be a heck of a way to top off a pretty good run. You need to have goals, it gets you up in the morning. Winning another Title off this incredible field of talent won't be easy, but I have a lot of experience at that wave and I intend to give it everything I've got to pull out the event win and the Title. "

Fellow two-time WSL Longboard Champion Blomfield, 22, is in the running for her third World Title on familiar shores after an immaculate win at the Cuervo Surf Ranch Classic. The Oahu, Hawaii competitor's longboard career blossomed at Malibu's First Point from a young age and has taken her across the world as an inspiration to the next generation behind her, such as fellow Hawaii surfer and current No. 2, Kelis Kaleopa'a.

Blomfield's young career has also been challenged by World Title contenders such as Brazil's Chloe Calmon, two-time World Title runner-up; current No. 6 Alice Lemoigne (FRA); and Longboard Tour veteran, Lindsay Steinriede (USA).

"It's pretty exciting to be up for a third Title and I'm really stoked to have won a contest, which I feel puts me in a good place to give it a real chance," expressed Blomfield. "It's going to be hard work and anything can happen at Malibu. I've surfed a lot of events and I know how it can go. But, it would be pretty special to win the World Title here. It's where I did my first event, got my first board sponsor, and really felt like where my career started over a decade ago."

"It's amazing to see everyone at the point where we're all nearly at the same level now," added Blomfield. "There's been a few standouts over the last few years but this year everyone looks incredible. We've all been working hard, especially over the last year, and it was really exciting to showcase the work I've been putting in on my switch-stance and trying to progress my surfing at the last event."

Watch LIVE
The Jeep Malibu Classic presented by Havaianas will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app beginning October 11 at 7:00 a.m. PDT. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.

*The WSL Longboard Tour is proudly supported by our partners, Jeep, Havaianas, Hydro Flask, Expedia, Athletic Brewing, US Army, Aviator Nation, Firewire, and Flying Embers.


Photo: moonknightsonata

A few photos of the lightning over the Santa Monica Bay from Monday afternoon's thunderstorm.




Photos: bentburton

Photo: RipcurlNg


Dogtown and The Z Boys found an audience outside of the traditional skateboard community. Tony Alva, Peggy Oki, Stacy Peralta and more from the OG Zephyr scene break down why it worked and what was missing.



"Girls love to have fun!! Especially surfing at Malibu, California!! Plus, I could not get over how our boards were Skittles vibes!!" - Tina Cohen.


Video by Jason Flaster.
Legendary Venice board shaper Guy Okazaki takes us through the history of surfing, our changing climate, and what it means to be a local.                                                                                          

Video Directed By Lindsay Sunada                                                  


Legendary Venice board shaper Guy Okazaki takes us through the history of surfing, our changing climate, and what it means to be a local.

Video Directed By Lindsay Sunada.


Mike, aka German in Venice, vlogs about daily life in Venice Beach, and the nearby communities.

"Today was the annual Malibu Chili Cook Off. It is also a fair or carnival, lots of rides, lots of fun, and food. When I hear Malibu, it automatically feels like vacation. I was surprised how many people went to this event."

If you would like to support German in Venice with some gas money or you want to buy him a coffee, you are welcome to donate to his paypal account: https://paypal.me/germaninvenice


Video by Jason Flaster.


From Brad Jacobson:

"I spent 2 days in Malibu filming some of the most fun surf I've seen in a long time leaving me questioning if this was the best swell since Hurricane Marie.

Watching these waves roll for 2 straight days was simply mesmerizing. Unfortunately the surf forecast looks bleak so I'm left grasping these memories until something new pops on the radar... hopefully sooner than later.

Special thanks to Luke Davis and Hunter Jones for the phone interviews.

Thanks for watching. I'm Brad Jacobson and I'll see you on the sand."


From Brad Jacobson:

"Here's 10 reasons why maybe you shouldn't start surfing.

Surfing is an absolute blast and is one of the most addicting recreational sports out there but it's not as simple and easy as it may appear.

Sharks, nasal drip, wetsuits and crowds are just a few reasons why you may want to think twice before paddling out.

YES, this is mostly satire...

Thanks for watching! I'm Brad Jacobson and I'll see you on the sand. "
Scheduled to open by Memorial Day, the Venice Pier remains decidedly closed. For Venetians who had hoped to enjoy a stroll on the beloved pier this summer, that dream is all but waning. “With all the challenges we’ve had to suffer though this year the fact that a project in a public outdoor space like this has been so dragged out is just ridiculous,” said longtime Venice resident Guy Okazaki. The $5 million dollar restoration projec By Nicole Lynch


Scheduled to open by Memorial Day, the Venice Pier remains decidedly closed. For Venetians who had hoped to enjoy a stroll on the beloved pier this summer, that dream is all but waning. “With all the challenges we’ve had to suffer though this year the fact that a project in a public outdoor space like this has been so dragged out is just ridiculous,” said longtime Venice resident Guy Okazaki.

The $5 million dollar restoration project was approved after a June 2018 electrical fire caused by a homeless encampment under the pier burned a 15-foot section near the lifeguard tower. An eyewitness to the scene said that an unhoused person tapped into the electrical system and was attempting to use a microwave oven.

When the scaffolding came down and the construction equipment staging location cleared out nearly a month ago, it seemed as though reopening was imminent. However, weeks passed with little activity. “It’s like nobody’s managing it. There’s been no information, it’s absurd,” Guy continued.

Calls and emails to the Department of Recreation and Parks were not returned.