Local Lucas Foster - Finished 4th NSSA Longboard Nationals

I've known Lucas since he was one. He was my next door neighbor.  I watched him grow up and his dad and I would wonder if he'd get into surfing or blow it off since "the old man did it". It can go either way.  

Well, he's all grown up and the guessing is over. He likes to surf. I was so stoked to hear that he did so well at the NSSA finals this last weekend. He is just a freshman so he has plenty of time to work his way up to number one. His dad couldn't be more stoked. He loves the events and is a self proclaimed "Stage Mom". 

Not only can Lucas surf but the kid is a genius. He gets great grades and is on the debate team. When he was 5 or so he would beat grownups online in world domination strategy games. 

Now that the contests are over he is on to the next thing, shaping. He, his younger brother Logan and his brother's best friend Sean Turbeville (all under 14) are starting to shape. They are stoked on it. They are under the guidance of one of Lecuadia's long time shapers John Turbeville. John made boards for me for years and I still ride them. He's stopped production shaping and is now stoked to teach the kids how to do it. 

Lucas, it has been a pleasure to watch you grow up, my friend, and do so well in life and surfing. Keep it up!

Finn Reed

At only 15 months old, Finn Reed, might be our youngest TLP fan yet. He had his TLP tee at just a few months old and now they can't get him out of it. Here he is practicing his approach to the nose on his dad's Murphy. Look how focused he is! Nice style Finn, you'll be out there soon I can feel it.

Thanks Rob for sending in the shot!

All In a Days Work

Photos by David Gray

Surfer Mag- Battle of the Blogs

I voted.

www.surfermag.com

Chris Del Moro by John Culqui

John's been at it again. Here's a fresh of from last week. 

www.jsculquiart.com

Soul

Here's a bit of soul to go with your coffee this morning.

Photo's by David Gray

My Hero

I had the pleasure of walking in the Home Town Hero Parade at the San Diego Fair yesterday to honor people in our community who make a difference. It was a fun event and one special because my mom, Judy Lewis - Logue, was one of the honorees.

My mom was honored because she makes a difference in peoples lives. She was one of the original college financial aid pioneers in the 60's and has been at it for 40 plus years ever since.  She works for the University of San Diego as their director of Financial Aid but spends her nights and weekends raising money, sitting on boards and networking so that first generation students have the opportunity to get an education just like she did in the 60's.

My mom is truly an amazing person. She is a living example of a pay it forward mentality. After getting her own push from a teacher passionate about getting kids into college she has made it her life mission to do the same for others. Anyone who has ever met her can feel her enthusiasm for life and the passion she has for helping others.  

Mom, here is to you and all that you do. I couldn't be more proud of you for both what you do for others and everything you did for us growing up. 

You are my hero.

Love,

Ed

Surfrider - The Morning After Mess Beach Clean Up at Ponto July 5th

http://www.surfridersd.org/beachcleanups.php

My good friends and beach clean up gurus, Bob and Jan Rogers, are hosting the Ponto Beach clean up again this year. If you've never been it is worth going. Not only do you get to clean up a great beach but the people are wonderful and you can win prizes. I've scored a few times. Hope to see everyone down there.

REEF Sample sale in Cardiff July 3rd

My friend Steph is having a REEF sample sale Saturday July 3rd from 7am to 12pm. Everything must go so there we be great pricing. Have fun!

The address is 2211 Cambridge Ave, Cardiff, CA 

View Larger Map

Jeff Mortenson's Quiver

Grandview local Jeff Mortenson just added a 1'3"handplane to his quiver. Painted up to match all his boards he will be taking it on his next trip to Nicaragua for some shore break barrels.

Thanks Jeff for supporting us and keeping foam from the land fills! Your surf karma is paid in full so enjoy some epic waves on your trip.

Ryan Bracker

Photography: David Gray

Hilary Crahan

when you first meet love

your eyes will be colored with it
and you will walk

enchanted

pausing to look up at the sky
listening to the melody in rain

this love will make you feel
limitless
and destined for grand things

but when it begins to strip away your shield and armor
scratching and clawing its way
inside
this love will scare you

and you will choose not to
believe
and you will leave it by the side of the road for the hens to peck
and you will run

and you will try on others
and with a hardened heart
you will forget
for so many years
that the smallest seed
always
contains a blooming tree within


until a day
when your body is worn down by
disease
and you are not sure of anything beyond tears
this Love
will find you again and gently lift your head
to the warmest cup of
broth


and you will
finally
understand

My friend and local Poet/Artist/Writer Hilary Crahan is an extremely talented woman who is prolific in her ability to create. She has self published a number of books, paints, writes poetry and does sculpture. She has been busy with her site, blog and has a new poetry book coming out so check it out   www.crimsonartbotique.com 

The poem above is from her blog, which I have become a fan. I have to admit that ever since my days in college and my boring poetry class I swore off the stuff. But, much to my surprise, I have warmed up to it after reading Hilary's blog and even had my own poor attempts at writing my own. Good job Hilary! Seriously, if you can get me to write poetry you are amazing. Enjoy.

"Seal" by John Culqui

John sent this in. He did it live at the show he had on Friday. Check out his site for more work. Lots of cool stuff. Enjoy.

www.jsculquiart.com

Taylor Knox

Photo by David Gray

Chris Del Moro

photos by David Gray

Chris Del Moro and Kevin Short are having an art show tomorrow night at the Pacific Surf Gallery in Cardiff. See flyer for details!

John Culqui Fin

Here's a fine little fin by artist John Culqui. It makes me smile. I love it. John will be having a show TONIGHT for all you who live in and around Long Beach. Enjoy.

RAPANUI Fin

Our friend Joe Rolle over at Rapanui Clothing sent in this fin. Rapanui is a really unique clothing company out of Wight England in that takes eco clothing/fashion to a whole new level by tracking and displaying where their garments are made and travel. Doing this gives a level of transparency to their product line and brings awareness to the issues of ecology and garment production. 

Take a look at their video on why they started Rapanui. It was inspiring to me. I was fascinated by the numbers that 80% of the environmental impact of clothing happens post purchase. I was also fascinated on why they are choosing to do what they do.

I was really excited when Joe contacted us to want to be involved in The Leucada Project, as these guys are award winning eco entrepreneurs. We hope to do more with them in the future and will support them in any way we can.

Great job guys your doing great!

Checkout their site at www.rapanuiclothing.com 

Iomal

Fresh art by our good friend Iomal from Italy. Check out his blog at www.bodasurf.blogspot.com

Thanks Iomal!

Kids Love Fins.

 It's summer. Break out the fins, the pens and some paper and have yourself an art project.

Photos By David Gray

Soul Collage

Chris Del Moro

Ryan Bracker

Chris Del Moro

Chad

Grinder

Grandview Local

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. For those of you who have kids you know how lucky you are. Enjoy the day!

This photo is great. It shows the fearlessness a parent has. It was taken by my Dad, Robert M. Lewis, a photographer who grew up in San Diego and has a passion for documenting the beauty in our region. He has his own blog over at thesandiegophotoproject.blogspot.com. I recommend you check it out. It has some truly beautiful images of San Diego.

My entire life my Dad has been an inspiration to me. Drawing with me as a little guy and then helping me with writing assignments and art projects in college. He got me my first real camera and has been coaching me ever since.

He is also my copy editor for this site. You wouldn't know he is even involved but every post that goes out, he diligently edits out all my misspellings and points me in the right direction with sentence structure. I owe a great deal of thanks to him for that.

Here is to you Dad for all you have done for me in my life. Whether it was art, writing, girls, you name it you've been there for me.  I appreciate all the help and support with the things I've gotten passionate about in my life. It means the world to me.

Much Love, Ed

Bonzer Love'n - I Got It Bad

Had the fortune of stopping by Surfy Surfy today and decided to try out their board demo program. JP had been telling me he has REAL boards that he lets people demo. The same boards you see on his site. I've been a fish love'n man for sometime but there is something about the Bonzer that intrigues me so I gave it a go. 

JP suggested the 5'10" Bumble Bee three fin Bonzer. He said it would float me similar to my fish. He was right. It had all the volume I like and it was an easy transition form my board.

I took her out and was seriously blown away. It was wide and full like my fish but it has the ability to do these bottom turns and whitewash rebounds that I just don't do on my fish. It also had a gas peddle. It was really fast.

I even had those moments when you feel like Tom Curren doing a bottom turn. I haven't done a proper bottom turn, well ever, but it felt like I did. Of course I didn't look like him I just had my mouth open and that look in my eye like I suddenly knew what I was doing. I love those moments. You feel like super star. 

I am seriously sold. I'd like to properly test it for a couple more sessions but I could honestly see myself buying one of these. It felt like a great all around board.

My hat goes off to the Cambell Bro's for making a great board. Thanks to JP for the demo it opened my eyes to something new. Next time I want to try out Eli's Twin Pin!

Peace.

1975 Skip Frye 5'8" Fish

My friend Rick Scott is a long time knee boarder. He has been at it since the 70's. He and his brother collectively own an amazing collection of boards. We featured them here a while back. All fish and many vintage from when they were kids.

This beauty has been kept up in his brothers garage in Oregon for last couple of decades. Rick took it on to have it refurbished by Joe Roper.

The board is amazing with the penciled in logo and signature and the disappearing stringer. It's a beauty. We are hoping to get to ride her! Enjoy.

Gun Metal Grape Hand Plane

My buddy Scott Anderson gets serious dad points. He ran into us at Fiesta Del Sol with his son and started checking out the hand planes. I hadn't seen his son since he was a little guy so I asked what all surf dads ask... "are you surfing yet?" His response was that he was into BMX. My guess is that like most kids he doesn't want to be TOO much like the old man. Understandable for sure.

Well, turns out that he is into body surfing. So for the next three days straight Scott gets an ear full of how cool the hand planes are.  Now Scott being a big kid at heart couldn't resist. He grew up body surfing with McDonald's trays with the boys on Oahu. So he called us up and had us save one for  his son's birthday that week.

Now my hat comes off to you Scott because you are a genius. Not only did you hook him up with a great gift, you figured out the gateway board for him to be riding a fish one day. Supper smart. He'll be riding that bike still for sure, but now it will be to get him to the beach. I love it. Enjoy.

More Fins - Bereket 6 and Alia 4

 I love the kids art! Keep it coming.