Southland Surfers Battle for the Best Summer Waves

During the summer months, the south swells bring some of the best shaped waves found in the world to Malibu State Surfrider Beach. It becomes very crowded at the two distinct surfing areas that make up Malibu Surfrider, with tempers growing very short. Imagine, if you will, the condition of the crowds and the tempers when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors “rents out” one surfing area at Malibu to groups who want to hold surf contests. This forces the crowds to surf in only one area.

Malibu is the only designated “surfing only” beach in Los Angeles County. When the supervisors agree to rent out Malibu, it causes havoc among surfers who are forced to surf in very dangerous, crowded conditions. As a surfer who has surfed Malibu Surfrider for 27 years, I find this decision by the supervisors ridiculous and absurd. Let them leave Malibu as year-round open surfing beach to be enjoyed by everyone.

PAUL JAY DIAMOND

Hawthorne