Video and text by David Malana

In honor of George Floyd, we paddled out to pay respects in Santa Monica. One thing you notice more than anything is that the surfing community is predominantly white. A sport created by people of color (ancient Polynesians) banned by white colonizers who proclaimed it an act of evil, reintroduced to the world by a Hawaiian, and then taken over again by vast majority white people who now make billions off of a surf industry that uses people and places of color as decoration for events, videos, movies, and photos. It's a bit of an irony that as a Filipino man, I often feel out of place. My challenge to surfers is to practice the concept of equity in their surf lives by sharing our love for the ocean and its waves with people and communities that didn't inherit the wealth you did, didn't have learning to swim or going to the beach as a birthright, and who now are represented by a brave few that paddled out with us that day, as a small somber amidst a crowd of generally jovial surfers enjoying their unintentionally closed communities. If you would like to find a hopeful surfer of color who wants to experience what we so readily enjoy, please let me know and I can help. That is one way we can do our part moving forward. Take the feels you get from these things, and do more to get BIPOCs back in the water where they once so naturally belonged.

Photos by Six12 Media

A paddle out in honor of George Floyd was held on Friday evening at the historic Inkwell Beach which is the Bay Street Surf Break in Santa Monica.

Hosted by California Mermaid Photography, she wanted "to let others know we care and want this violence to stop. The Ink Well is one of the first beaches in California to allow African Americans beach access."

"Thank you, Surf community. This is us coming together for justice. Over 100 of you paddled out to form this beautiful circle to honor George Floyd; he’d be proud."










You can find higher resolution versions of these and a few more in this photo gallery:

George Floyd Paddle Out Photo Gallery

For more of our coverage of the protests and looting in our beach communities, CLICK HERE

Throwing it back to 2004 with this video of this women's nigh time surf contest at Malibu.

{{{Malibu}}}, Calif. – (October 16, 2004) – With 180,000 watts of light focused on the action, the Red Bull 5X made history as Malibu’s first-ever night surfing event was held in reeling, shoulder-high waves at the famous First Point. Five of the sport’s most talented female longboarders, includingDaize Shayne, Mary Osborne, Kassia Meador, Kim Hamrock and SchuylerMcFerran, battled it out in a {{{90}}}-minute expression session.

Instead of the normal surf competition in which each surfer’s performance is critiqued by judges on the beach, the RB5X allows the surfers to push the limits of performance without the constraints of typical contest formats. A full film crew recorded all the action in the water and the surfers themselves will determine the winner during a playback session.



“It was so rad with no judges. You’re your own judge and you’re everybody else’s judge,” says pro surfer Kassia Meador of Oceanside, Calif. “The RB5Xis a cool way to push each other and push our surfing to the next level.It’s more about earning the respect of your peers and seeing who threw down, who’s doing the craziest stuff and who was surfing the best.”

Despite the impossibly long nose rides and graceful footwork on display, it was the unique night surfing format that caught the attention of the surfers. “It was so beautiful on the water,” says veteran pro Kim Hamrock of Huntington Beach, Calif. “Actually it was kind of hard to surf at times because I was just mesmerized watching the bottom and the fish.”

Justin Swartz, surfer and shaper from Venice Beach is a semifinalists in the O’Neill Regional Wave of the Winter Contest.

The contest is using Surfline’s Instagram Story for user voting to determine the winners for each region. Four semifinalists from each region will go head-to-head in an IG story, where Surfline followers will determine who moves ahead to the finals — and ultimately pick the winner for each region.

Vote for Justin on Surfline’s Instagram Story.

Need something to watch during the lockdown, check out this pro surfing championship contest from 1987 that was held at Surfrider Beach.

WINNER: Dino Andino (19 years old)
With: Mike Lambresi, Jim Hogan, Scott Daley, Craig Comen, Joey Buran, Bud Llamas, Chuy Reyna, Jeff Baldwin, Chris Burke, Colby Outlaw, Jeff Booth
WOMEN: Kim Mearig (winner), Jorja Smith, Tricia Gill, & Liz Benavidez
LONGBOARD: J Riddle (winner) Israel Paskowitz, Jonathon Paskowitz & Jeff Higgenbotham
BODYBOARD: Ben Seveson (winner), Mike Stewart, Kevin Cev & Keith Sasaki

Malibu Sharks Surf Team member Saxon Rhodes surfed her way to a first-place finish as two groups of Sharks surfers grabbed wins in the team’s last event of the season.

Rhodes, a senior and seasoned youth surfer, won the women’s shortboard bracket in the Scholastic Surf Series meet at the Tarpits in Carpinteria on Feb. 1. She outlasted five other surfers at the top of the division, including a teammate, to lead the Malibu Black squad (surfers at the top skill level) to a 60-27 victory over Palisades. The Malibu White group also won, downing Oak Park, 43-41.

Contending in the exhibition were surf squads also from Loyola, Oaks Christian, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Westlake high schools. The teenage wave riders vied in shortboard, longboard and bodyboard surfing brackets on waves that were around five or six feet in height.

The event was the fifth competition since October for the teams, which are all in the surf series’ LA to Santa Barbara High School division.

Vanessa Clark, also a Malibu Black member, placed one spot behind Rhodes in the women’s shortboard, while Malibu White surfer Whitney Shanahan placed fourth and her teammate Chole Rapf finished fifth. In the coed bodyboard, Malibu Black member Gavin Cross finished second and Malibu White surfer Kai Owens finished third. Malibu Black members Evan Kassoy and Sebastian Bluhm placed fourth and fifth in the men’s shortboard, respectively, and Cross finished third in the men’s longboard. Maxine Kelly, a Malibu Black surfer, finished fifth in women’s longboard, and Nicky Chittendon, a Malibu White member, finished sixth. Malibu Surf Team members pictured, from left: Evan Kassoy, Sebastian Bluhm, Kai Owens, Max Gourson, Gavin Cross, Vanessa Clark, Whitney Shanahan, Saxon Rhodes, Chloe Rapf, Nicky Chittendon, Maxine Kelly; front row: Coach John Cross and Coach Dale Rhodes; back row: Coach Jorge Lopez-Vida. Photo courtesy: Shelley Myers

Malibu Sharks Surf Team member Saxon Rhodes surfed her way to a first-place finish as two groups of Sharks surfers grabbed wins in the team’s last event of the season.

Rhodes, a senior and seasoned youth surfer, won the women’s shortboard bracket in the Scholastic Surf Series meet at the Tarpits in Carpinteria on Feb. 1. She outlasted five other surfers at the top of the division, including a teammate, to lead the Malibu Black squad (surfers at the top skill level) to a 60-27 victory over Palisades. The Malibu White group also won, downing Oak Park, 43-41.

Contending in the exhibition were surf squads also from Loyola, Oaks Christian, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Westlake high schools. The teenage wave riders vied in shortboard, longboard and bodyboard surfing brackets on waves that were around five or six feet in height.

The event was the fifth competition since October for the teams, which are all in the surf series’ LA to Santa Barbara High School division.

Vanessa Clark, also a Malibu Black member, placed one spot behind Rhodes in the women’s shortboard, while Malibu White surfer Whitney Shanahan placed fourth and her teammate Chole Rapf finished fifth. In the coed bodyboard, Malibu Black member Gavin Cross finished second and Malibu White surfer Kai Owens finished third. Malibu Black members Evan Kassoy and Sebastian Bluhm placed fourth and fifth in the men’s shortboard, respectively, and Cross finished third in the men’s longboard. Maxine Kelly, a Malibu Black surfer, finished fifth in women’s longboard, and Nicky Chittendon, a Malibu White member, finished sixth.

Malibu, coached by John Cross, Dale Rhodes and Jorge Lopez-Vida, will have a few surfers competing in the state championships from April 25-27 in Oceanside.

This story was written by McKenzie Jackson and was originally publish in The Malibu Times

Last weekend, @black.surfers held a Surf Meet Up down at the Huntington Beach Pier for Los Angeles and Orange County surfers to celebrate Black History month:

"It's hard to describe just how happy I am to have met and shared an awesome day surfing with these folks! Y'all were incredible, humble and passionate and this Black History Month meetup would have been nothing without y'all!

I hope this is the first of many, and I will be creating a formal LA surf chat so y'all can start meeting up more frequently!

There will be more photos to come, but here are a few hot off the press from Sheldon Botler, our amazing photographer!" - Kayiita, founder of @black.surfers

View this post on Instagram

It's hard to describe just how happy I am to have met and shared an awesome day surfing with these folks! Y'all were incredible, humble and passionate and this Black History Month meetup would have been nothing without y'all! I hope this is the first of many, and I will be creating a formal LA surf chat so y'all can start meeting up more frequently! There will be more photos to come, but here are a few hot off the press from @sheldonbotler, our amazing photographer! . . . #surf #surfer #surfing #surfers #surfingwhileblack #black #blacksurfer #blacksurfers #blackboyjoy #blackgirlmagic #shreddynegro #blackgirlssurf #huntingtonbeach #huntingtonbeachpier #socal #blackhistorymonth #bhm

A post shared by The home for black surfers (@black.surfers) on Feb 22, 2020 at 6:18pm PST

Check out @black.surfers on Instagram for more.

We posted our 2019 Venice Surf-A-Thon Contest Coverage last month, but it lack the official result and the awards party photos, well we finally got the official Venice Surf-A-Thon results and awards party recap, directly from the VSAT official himself, Ger-i Lewis. Here it is: The 26th annual Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf contest was once again a rip roaring success!

The surf cooperated as well as the weather also! The day began with 2-4ft glassy peaks and scattered clouds with just enough coverage to keep the glare down for the judges. The contest hosted 43 men, women, and children. Ages ranged from 5 years old to 67 years old. The contest raised $1,734.00 for MLD Christian Charity School Mucas, Mindanao in the Philippine Islands. 14 competitors were granted financial hardship waivers. 9 competitors were international competitors.



Masters Division
1st Place - Eric Weis (USA)
2nd Place - Steve Shelp (USA)
3 Place - Brock Myreux (USA)

Menehunes
1st Place - Rickson Massie (USA)
2nd Place - J.Packham (USA)
3rd Place - Uchu Jin (Japan)

Jr. Women
1st Place - Stephanie Wise (USA)
2nd Place -Marly Kay (USA)
3rd Place - Mimi Sullivan (USA)

Senior Women
1st Place - Almudena Soria (Spain)
2nd Place - Nicole Lynch (USA)
3rd Place - Natsumi Ota (Japan)



Mens Division
1st Place - Cole Sweeny (USA)
2nd Place - Mariano Romero (Argentina)
3rd Place - Pablo (USA)

Jr.Mens Division
1st Place - Bradly Kay (USA)
2nd Place - Ben Cohen (USA)
3rd Place - Nathan Cosworth (USA)

Longboard Division
1st Place - Norm Antonio (USA)
2nd Place - Ari Ari (New Zealand)
3rd Place - Brock Myreux (USA)

Body Surfing
1st Place - Nathan B (USA)
2nd Place - Rick Massie (USA)
3rd Place - Mike Wood (USA)

Most Outstanding Surfer Award
Katie

Most Radical Move Award
Mimi Sullivan



The 26th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Contest Award Show, hosted by The Sidewalk Cafe featured KOZ from Kyoto Japan singing dance hall and reggae inspired songs to the delight of the crowd. Cognitive Dissonance (former Suicidal Tendencies member) got the crown fired up and DJ Jacques kept the vibe up in between sets. Finally Col Klink closed out the show with their set of inspired and enthusiastic crowd favorites as the surfers rocked and rolled into the night.



Thank you sponsors, competitors,volunteers and participants one and all!

These Award Party Photos were shot by Heidi Lemmon, check out about 50 more party photos in this photo album:
Venice Surf-A-Thon Awards Photo Album



For all the contest surfing photos, check out contest surf photos gallery:
2019 Venice Surf-A-Thon Surf Photos Gallery

Saturday in the parking lot of Boardriders Malibu, was the first The Vintage Surfboard Collector Club Board Swap of the year. Here are some photos of the swap from @clistboards .

The 26th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon was held on Saturday, December 14th, once again taking place at the Venice Pier. The contest is a grassroots local tradition that has evolved from a mentorship gathering for youth beset by gang violence to an inter-generational celebration of community. The contest has been a labor of love for it's founder Ger-I Lewis.

Ger-I founded the Venice Surf-A-Thon in 1993 after returning home from military service.

"I wished to do something for the children , young adults and the community in general that is fun and has a positive influence on everyone." says Ger-I. "For sure back in the day the contest was edgy as so was I! Instead of handing out trophies at the beach like most contests, I incorporated the awards party to give everyone a chance to shine. Inviting local talent as well the bikini contest was also a strategy to enhance and create a Venice culture showcase. Well times have changed and folks have mellowed, the bikini contest is no longer a part of the event as many of the original contestants are grandfathers now! The event has a generational community expectation and Surf-A-thon has taken on a family atmosphere. Many world class surfers, celebrities, have supported and donated to The Venice Surf-A-Thon including Mimi Miyagi, Peter Destafino, Perry Farrell, C.R. Stecyk, Danny Trejo, Robert Trujillo (of Metallica), Noah Budroe, Chris Ward, Tonan, Tina Cheri, DJ Muggs, Kid Frost, and Beowülf. Moreover the contest has provided a an opportunity for surfers to get a start in competition surfing."

These contest photos were shot by Six12 Media.






















Custom trophies created by Brock Mayeux were passed out to all the winners later Saturday night at the Awards Show.




So who won what? Not having attended the awards show, it was hard to track down the official results from anyone. But here's what info we did gather: Stephanie Wise got 1st for the Women with Nicole Lynchie getting 2nd, Ricksen Massie got 1st for the Groms, one of the Packham kids get 2nd. Ricksens's pops Rickie got 3rd in body Surfing. Eric Wise won 1st in something, so did Cole Sweeney (since we can tell from theese screen shots grabbed from Elisabeth Fried's Instagram Stories.

You can find 100 more surf contest photos, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Venice Surf-A-Thon Photo Gallery