Attack won’t deter determined surfers
June Casagrande
Local surfers have mixed feelings on international surf travel
after the terrorist attack in Bali that took the life of West Newport
resident Steve Webster.
Some say the tragic attack that killed at least 188 people
Saturday will be a factor in their future travel plans. Others refuse
to give in to fear.
“Everyone knows Indonesia is one of the best travel destinations
in the world,” said Ryan Harris, a San Clemente resident who was
surfing on his lunch break in West Newport on Wednesday.
“The incident definitely does have an impact,” said Jeff Spencer,
also of San Clemente. “It makes you re-evaluate where you’re willing
to go.”
Both men said they have gone on surf trips to Mexico and other
countries, but Harris and Spencer, both fathers, said that carefree
trips are a thing of the past.
“Ever since 9-11 there’s been that hesitation, said Jason
Carrougher, a West Newport resident and veteran surfer. “But this is
like a more specific, more targeted kind of danger.”
Carrougher was surfing West Newport on Wednesday with friend David
Rheingans, a Hawaii resident who has been on surf trips to Bali.
Rheingans said that he would not let the incident dictate his future
travel plans, but that it will be on his mind.
“Bali is such a beautiful place, the people there are beautiful,”
Rheingans said, reciting a Balinese farmer’s prayer he learned on a
trip to the Indonesian surf spot. But the bombing is not a reason to
give in to fear, he and Carrougher agreed.
“It’s how surfers are: They work all year to take just a couple of
trips a year,” he added. “It’s what they live for.”
T.K. Brimer, owner of the Frog House surf shop in West Newport,
said he will keep surfing international waters, but the destinations
he chooses will be chosen with safety in mind.
“It’s a different world, and I suspect that this is the world
we’re going to live in for the rest of our lives,” said Brimer, who
recently returned from a surf trip to Samoa and who plans to surf
Fiji in March. “I still intend to travel, but I will have my eyes
open more.”
* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.
She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at
june.casagrande@latimes.com.
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