Funky weather with solid surf swells
WET AND WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG
We’ve been having some funky weather down here at the beaches
lately. Usually found at the beginning of summer, the June gloom has
been hanging on this last week giving us some cloudy days. It is
supposed to get nice this weekend though, as we head back to our
normal conditions. The surf’s been up with the south swells
continuing to roll in, so I know a lot of you have been getting your
surf time in. And the water temps have jumped back up into the upper
60s making it nice out there. Only a couple weeks left before the
groms have to go back to school as summer has been flying by quickly.
The Elmore Tour is coming to town this week, ready to run its
World Qualifying Series one-star event down at Goldenwest Street, Aug
23-25. There are a few different divisions; pro mens and women’s,
juniors, open mens, masters, women’s and the air show too. Some
former champs include, Huntington Beach’s Jason Haughey, who’s been
ripin’ it up; Newport’s Todd Miller and San Diego’s Seth Elmer. Look
for the Surf City residents to capitalize with the home break
advantage. The prize money looks good too -- $2,500 for a win in the
pros and $500 in the air show will definitely up the ante for all the
hopeful’s looking for the big win.
I hear the Orange County Sanitation District is now disinfecting
part of the sewage with chlorine, which is a step in the right
direction. But I also hear that this disinfection method has some of
its own dangers too. Chlorine combines with complex chemicals in the
primary sewage and forms potentially toxic hydrocarbon compounds,
which are not good for dolphins, whales, fish, swimmers and surfers.
Disinfected sewage is not the long-term answer, we need full
treatment like all the other major sanitation districts. Clean ocean
water isn’t too much to ask for.
High five to the Huntington Beach Surf Museum, Liz Tice and the
crew, who kicked off the new Duke Kahanamoku postage stamp with some
hot vintage surf bands playing at the pier and other festivities
during the month of August. I heard it was a blast.
Hot shot Surf City resident Timmy Turner was on the cover of
Surfer Magazine this month in that killer barrel. He also kept tales
of Indo in a journal. He talked about surviving in the jungle while
surfing perfect waves. You can catch Timmy working at the Sugar Shack
on Main Street when he’s in town serving up their great food. All the
surfers eat there.
Meanwhile, the Figster got slammed by his board about a week ago
and is dry docked with a ruptured ear drum, so no surfing for a
month. Be careful out there. See ya.
* RICK FIGNETTI is a six-time West Coast champion, has announced
the U.S. Open of Surfing the last eight years and has been the
KROQ-FM (106.7) surfologist for the last 15 years where he’s done
morning surf reports. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can
reach him at (714) 536-1058.
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