Staying true to June, it was gloomy this morning. The good thing was there was some swell and the water is warming up.
There were just two adult bodyboarders in the line-up at a spot that I checked out this afternoon. Everyone else was either a grom or the occasional kid that got too close to the water's edge and almost got swept out to sea.
It's funny how a relatively small slab of asphalt can have such a life of its own. If you've ever spent time in the North Lot, you know what I mean.
The North Lot in all its grandeur
The North Lot rules
The view from the North Lot
[cholo accent]Manhattan Beach Locos forever, homes[/cholo accent]. Actually, I have no idea what "MBL" means in this context - I just saw it written on the sidewalk and took a pic of it.
Some of the North Lot locals:
The North Lot villains
The USBA Sport Chalet US Open was held today on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier. The conditions weren't the best - two to four foot waves and onshore winds - but the competitors made the most of it.
Dubb won both the Men's Pro comp and the DK comp, while Chiaki Okuyama from Japan won the Women's Pro comp. Apparently, it was Chiaki's first comp win ever, and she was stoked!
While I went to the comp to see the pros surf, I walked away really impressed by the amateurs. There's a lot of up-and-coming talent, especially from Hawaii.
Trevor Kam was killing it yesterday. Unfortunately, he didn't get through his heat today.
Steve Jackson and Chris Won on the mic
South Bay in the house!
Chiaki Okuyama: Women's Pro Champ
Dubb getting doused after winning the DK comp.
Dubb sharing a few words after winning the Men's Pro comp.
I decided to check out the USBA meet and greet at the Sport Chalet in Huntington Beach this afternoon. The daunting 405 rush hour traffic gave me second thoughts about driving down to HB, but I figured it might be worth it to meet some pro bodyboarders.
Speaking of pro bodyboarders, I got to meet Jacob Romero and Hubb. I also saw Dubb and Bud Miyamoto. There were also a lot of other Hawaiian bodyboarders that came up for the event. Stoked on that. Now I'm really looking forward to this event.
The parking lot that is the 405 Freeway during rush hour
Contest registration
Sport Chalet zones with Jacob Romero somehow
Hubb and me
Dubb
