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SURFING SOAPBOX: Waiting for sun and right surf

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Does anyone know where the sun has gone? After a blistering June it seems that July this year has become more like the June of past years. Clouds and drizzle. Perhaps August might once again bring us sunshine.

On Wednesday the swell was increasing, as another “southern hemi” (southern hemishere) swell is forecasted with expected overhead surf on its way. I would like to think the swell might be big enough and last through the weekend so we can once again run the Brooks Street surfing classic. However, I do not think this particular swell will be substantial enough to do so. Sadly it has been a few years since this great event has run, but I have a good feeling it will run once again this summer.

Hopefully I will be in town and have the opportunity to surf it again for the first time in 10 years.

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Speaking of local events: The Victoria skimboarding world championships went off last weekend down at Aliso Beach. Young skimboarding upstart Brandon Rothe dethroned former champion Bill Bryan in the finals of an epic battle that pitted the new schooler against the legendary old schooler. Also making this year’s finals were Brandon Sears in third and Brendan Stevens rounding out the four-man final.

Also winning their first major event of his young career was Nathaniel Curran, who defeated Tim Boal of Europe in the finals of the U.S. Open at Huntington Beach Pier. With the victory, Curran now sits atop of the world qualifying series and is in a great position to qualify for next year’s world surfing tour.

Other notable surfers ranked in the top 10 of the world qualifying series include Patrick Gudauskas of San Clemente, ranked No. 2; Nathan Yeomans, also of San Clemente, No. 6; Brett Simpson, No. 7; and 2000 world champion Sunny Garcia, No. 8.

In other news the Assn. of Surfing Professionals world tour is now on in Bali, Indonesia, with who else but Kelly Slater leading the way Wednesday morning, scoring a perfect 10 and following it up with an unbelievable switch stance tube ride.

Until next time keep your fingers crossed for some sun and swell.

Peace.


JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com

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