Congratulations to Northern LA Boardriders Dillon Perillo, Taro Watanabe, Lilie Kulber, and Shaneborland for taking the win at the United States Board Riders BATTLE of the BOARD RIDERS! These four were ripping and brought the win home for us. Congratulations to @newportbeachboardridersclub @scboardridersclub @spacecoastboardridersclub for making the final.




Northern LA Boardriders (NLAB) is a surf club that shares a strong passion for surfing and giving back to our community. We aim to foster the sport of friendly competitive surfing and create a positive movement and platform for our younger generations.

Back in October we report that Santa Monica was not accepting the terms for hosting the 2028 Olpmics Beach Volleyball event due to the Olympic Committee outrageous demands and lack of transparency regauding costs and reimbusments to the city.

On Tuesday, April 8th, the city made it officioal, Santa Monica will not host the Beach Volleyball Events.

The city of Santa Monica and the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, or LA28, have ended formal talks to host beach volleyball at Santa Monica State Beach for the 2028 Summer Olympics, following nearly two years of negotiations.

As the birthplace of the modern sport, the city of Santa Monica has been in discussions about hosting beach volleyball since Los Angeles’ first bid for the Games in 2016.

Despite good-faith efforts to reach a deal that would benefit both the Santa Monica community and work for LA28, ultimately the two parties were not able to agree to terms around community benefits, operational details and financial guarantees.

LA28 informed the city Friday that it plans to host beach volleyball elsewhere.

With the formal end to venue city negotiations, Santa Monica will focus efforts on bringing a host of exciting opportunities surrounding the Games as a regional partner. City teams have been exploring ideas for related events and revenue-generating prospects, including hospitality houses for numerous countries, broadcast centers, practice venues and watch parties to name just a few opportunities.

The city also remains committed to partnering with LA28 and neighboring agencies to coordinate the Games in the region, including collaboration and support around transportation, hospitality, media, events and more.

“There is no better place to host the Olympic beach volleyball competition than Santa Monica, where the sport was born. We would have loved to be a venue city in 2028,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “While we’re disappointed that an agreement was not realized, we remain eager to share in the excitement the Olympics will bring to our region and are looking forward to being a regional partner in this historic event.”

Prior to the end of venue city negotiations, a team of city officials had been meeting with LA28 since early 2023 to finalize a Venue City Games Agreement.

At a public study session on Oct. 8, 2024, the Santa Monica City Council discussed the potential impacts of being a venue city and directed staff to negotiate more tangible benefits for residents and businesses and greater clarity and assurances about financial and other impacts on residents and businesses, particularly on and around the Santa Monica Pier. LA28 declined to adjust the proposed agreement to accommodate these terms.

Separate from negotiations around the beach volleyball venue, preparations for this major regional event have been moving forward through the city’s CELEBRATE28 initiative. The initiative brings together key groups of staff and community partners in areas of sustainability, transportation, arts, special events, community safety and hospitality to prepare for welcoming thousands of spectators still anticipated to visit Santa Monica during the games.

The city and its partners continue to coordinate and prepare to welcome visitors and engage locals throughout the Games, and are exploring additional revenue generating options in Santa Monica, including opportunities that could bring benefit to the community in advance of the Games.

“When the world shows up to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics, we look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of participants and sports enthusiasts to Santa Monica for an iconic California experience,” Santa Monica Travel and Tourism President/CEO Misti Kerns said. “With our key location and proximity to LA28 venues, our beachside city is already seeing strong demand for the summer months of 2028. Our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping areas are working to create additional packages and experiences while looking forward to hosting Olympic visitors during this exciting time for the region.”

Surf Shop Day is May 17th and brands, retailers, and surfers everywhere are gearing up to celebrate the local surf shops that have shaped the industry and culture for generations. Surf shops aren’t just places to buy boards and gear—they’re the heart of coastal communities, the birthplace of surf legends, and the pulse of a lifestyle embraced worldwide.

“Surf shops are more than just stores—they’re the beating heart of our surf culture. They’re where dreams begin, where friendships are forged, and where the next generation of surfers finds their stoke,” said Shaun Tomson, World Champion Surfer & Surf Industry Icon. “Supporting these shops means honoring our roots and ensuring the spirit of surfing continues to thrive. This collaboration is about giving back to the places that have given us so much.”

From Huntington Beach to Santa Cruz all the way across to the Jersey Shore and the iconic North Shore, surf shops have been more than just retail spaces. They’ve served as gathering spots where local heroes share stories of epic swells, where groms get their first taste of surf culture, and where careers in the industry are born.

“Surf Shop Day is an important time to encourage everyone to go to their local shop and remember that this is where the community can come together, look at and get gear, get good advice, and share stories,” said Scott Smith, Owner of Central Coast Surfboards. “Just to experience something you can’t get online or at corporate stores.”

The Santa Monica Fire Department extends its gratitude to the city staff, community partners and mental health professionals who have helped bring this program to life. The department remains committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance the well-being of its personnel and aligns with national best practices for firefighter mental health and wellness.

This year, Instinct, Shaun Tomson, Building the Revolution, and the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) have come together to create an exclusive, limited-edition Surf Shop Day T-shirt available only at specialty retailers. A portion of the proceeds from these shirts will go to the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, supporting crucial initiatives such as surf therapy programs, disaster relief for communities affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles and Maui, recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, and other vital causes within the surf community.

“Surf shops are the lifeblood of this industry and the soul of our coastal communities. They’re where surfers of all generations come together, share stories, and fuel their passion for the sport,” said Vipe Desai, Executive Director of SIMA. “Surf Shop Day is the collective industry’s way of giving back to these independent retailers that have given so much to our culture. By supporting them, we’re not just preserving history—we’re ensuring the future of surfing remains strong.”

Join us in celebrating Surf Shop Day—support your local surf shop and keep the culture thriving!

Join The Bay Foundation at the last Earth Month event of 2025 at the Malibu Living Shoreline project. Engage with dune ecology and make a positive impact by removing invasive plants. Your participation will contribute to the restoration effort, fostering increased biodiversity and enhancing coastal resilience. We look forward to seeing you at the Point Dume/Westward Beach Dunes!

Saturday, 04/26/2025, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AMbr /> Pt. Dume State Beach / Westward Beach

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

The Santa Monica Fire Department this week launched a new K-9 Peer Support Program, an initiative designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of firefighters and other Santa Monica city employees and community members.

The program’s first K-9 team member, an English Labrador named Roger, is a certified support K-9 trained in providing comfort and companionship. Working alongside a designated peer support team handler, Roger will visit fire stations, attend debriefings after critical incidents, attend community events to interact with the public and be available to firefighters and city employees in need of emotional support.

Through Roger’s efforts, the program aims to provide comfort, reduce stress and promote emotional resilience for Santa Monica Fire Department, or SMFD, personnel as well as the broader community.

“We are thrilled to introduce this program as a proactive step in supporting the mental wellness of our firefighters and city employees,” Fire Chief Matthew Hallock said. “The presence of a therapy dog has been proven to lower stress levels, improve morale and encourage open conversations about mental health. We believe this initiative will make a meaningful impact on our team.”

Firefighters face high levels of stress due to the intense and often traumatic nature of their work. Recognizing the need for enhanced mental health support, SMFD has integrated the K-9 Peer Support Program as part of its commitment and dedication to prioritizing a healthy and supportive work environment.

SMFD joins a growing number of agencies across the nation in bringing on a K-9 support program to prioritize mental health for first responders. In Southern California, that list includes Redondo Beach Fire, Orange County Fire Authority, Huntington Beach Fire, Westminster Police Department, Newport Beach Fire and Torrance Fire.

The Santa Monica Fire Department extends its gratitude to the city staff, community partners and mental health professionals who have helped bring this program to life. The department remains committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance the well-being of its personnel and aligns with national best practices for firefighter mental health and wellness.

After almost 3 months, this video shows the current conditioins of the beach, creek, parking lot and general area around Topanga State Beach.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

The Venice Ale House, the casual gastropub located on the boardwalk in Venice Beach featuring organic American fare & craft beers with boardwalk-side seating and ocean view, is leaving.

It was announced via theit social media on Sunday, "The ship has just about sailed, and what a journey it’s been. Fifteen years filled with unforgettable moments and friendships that will last a lifetime. Come join us tomorrow from 4–7pm as we close this chapter and set sail on a new journey. Let’s raise a glass to the memories, the friendships, and the adventures we’ve had! This one’s for the legacy Tom’s built—and the continued voyage ahead."

On Wednesday night, Venice Beach regular, Zachary "Turdle" Melton, 29, was fatally shot when he tried to intervene in an arguement between a woman and a man known in the area as "Prince Thomas" at the Dog Park at 1243 Pacific Avenue in Venice Beach.

According to witnesses, the shooter, who was said to be known registered sex offender named Tyrone "Prince Thomas" Jones, fled in a grey Maserati, which was found a few blocks away.

A search by polie at the time came up empty, but when the car was found, the registration listed a nearby apartment buulding. SWAT searched tha apartment at 26 Westminster Avenue, just a block from the dog park, on Thursday morning. The suspect was nowhere to be found and is still at large.

Friends of Zachary have been posting to social media. The girl who is pregnant with his child shared this::

The alleged shooter being sought by @LAPDPacific for the fatal shooting in Venice is a registered sex offender with an identical twin … why no BOLO pic.twitter.com/d6zosDOthE

— Michele McPhee (@MicheleMcPhee) April 4, 2025

Hop on down to the Main Street Farmers Market for Easter fun! Meet the bunny and join our egg hunt.

On Sunday, Sunday, April 20, celebrate the Easter season at Third Street Promenade!

Join the Main Street, Santa Monica Easter Egg Hunt at the California Heritage Museum, happening during the Farmers Market! Hunt for colorful eggs and snap photos with the Easter Bunny.

Don't forget to bring your basket to collect all the eggs you find! This event is perfect for kids of all ages, so come on down and enjoy the Easter festivities with us. We can't wait to see you there!

Foe more info and to RSVP to this event, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.