The first weekend of March 2014 brought a huge winter storm to California, and with it came some huge waves to it's beaches. Many locals describing them as the biggest waves in years.
Check out tons more photos: Surfing Gallery
3/5/14
3/3/14
Allen Sarlo surfing Venice Breakwater
The storm brought Venice Beach saw some huge waves this weekend. Allen Sarlo was among the few out on Saturday surfing the Breakwater.
Check out more of the Venice Breakwater surfing photos from Saturday: Venice Surfing Gallery - Saturday 3-1-2014
2/19/14
Video: Venice Breakwater Surfing - January 2014
This was shot during the last two weeks of January when the swell hit Venice Beach. Edited together in the style of those classic 90's skate videos from H-Street, Santa Cruz, etc...just like those videos, this one was shot with different types of cameras. Also shot a ton of photos from these days, check them out at Random Days At Random Surf Spots Surfing Galleries
2/7/14
Sand Art On Venice Beach
Sand sculpture artist Larry Dudock was out early on the Breakwater Tuesday morning. Larry usually does 3-Dimensional sand sculptures, but was out this morning creating a Two- Dimensional abstract image on the sand. Using a just normal rake, he created this large image. "Two-Dimensional Sand Design Experiment #1" is what he called it.
More photos of Larry's sand art, and the surfing going on in the water: Venice Surfing gallery - Tuesday 2-42014
2/5/14
LAPD Bomb Squad Detonates "Suspicious Package" in Venice Beach
Around 5 PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, LAPD responded to a report of a "suspicious package" that was abandoned in a brick planter outside a condo complex on the 3100 block of Speedway (near Anchorage St). It was described as "a device with a lot of ball bearings attached to it". The Bomb Squad was called in, and around 8 PM, they sent in their robot to detonate the device. The device ended up being just a discard car part.
12/23/13
Makaha 50th Anniversary Snake Run Mini-Bowl Contest
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| Sean Johnson |
In 1963, Venice Beach lifeguard Larry Stevenson found Makaha Skateboards. The name came from a beach in Hawaii that Stevenson had the chance to visit during his Navy days in the Korean war. Makaha was known for making the first high quality skateboards, and for later inteventing the kicktail.
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| Pauline Branom |
During the same year it opened, Makaha had sponsored a team of skateboarders, which included top surfers such as Mike Doyle, and held the first skate contest. A half century later, Makaha is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary and the 50th Anniversary of the first skateboard contest by holding a Snake Run Mini-Bowl Contest & Food Drive at the Venice Beach Skatepark. Taking place on Saturday December 14, 2013, the contest was open to all with a $10 entry fee and 2 cans of food to donate. 100% of the profits from the event went to the Westside Food Bank which is helping to feed people in need this holiday season.
Food trucks, vendor booths, and music from DJ Bennett Harrada filled the outside of the skatepark as legendary skater contest announcer Dave Duncan called the contest. In the kids divisions, Kiko Fransisco and Asher Bradshaw blast those huge airs they are well known for. Pauline Branom lead the girls division, showing that girls can skate the park just as good as the guys, and in lots of cases, even better. Jesus Estaban had the trick of the day with his ollie from the snake run onto the guardrail where the DJ booth was set up and back into the snake run. Sean Johnson 50-50 grinding nearly the entire snake run bowl then reverting on the drop back in. Dogtown boys Leandre Sanders and Haden McKenna had the most consistent lines, with one-foot airs and a handplant transfers by McKenna and 180- nose grinds out of the bowls channel by Sanders, given them 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Powell's Charlie Blair was crowned the winner for his big airs and tech tricks.
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| Charlie Blair |
Results:
Division 1
1st: Charlie Blair
2nd: Haden McKenna
3rd: Leandre Sanders
Division 2
1st: Julian Torres
2nd: David Brannon
3rd: Kiko Fransico
Division 3
1st: Asher Bradshaw
2nd: Cooper Burrows
3rd: Myles Strample
For more photos: Makaha Snake Run Mini-Bowl Contest Gallery
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| Haden McKenna |
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| Pauline Branom |
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| Jesus Estaban |
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| Sean Johnson |
Over 50 more photos:
12/21/13
Venice Surf-A-Thon
It's been a labor of love for contest's founder Ger-I Lewis, who also helped make the famous Venice Beach Skatepark a reality. "I Founded the Venice Surf-A-Thon in 1993 after returning home from military service. I wished to do something for the children, young adults and the community in general that is fun and has a positive influence on everyone" says Ger-I. "For sure back in the day the contest was edgy, as so was I! Instead of handing out trophies at the beach like most contests, I incorporated the awards party to give everyone a chance to shine. Inviting local talent as well." In addition to the awards after party held at a venue off the beach, the early years of the Surf-A-Thon also hosted a bikini contest. "The bikini contest was also a strategy to enhance and create a Venice culture showcase. Well times have changed and folks have mellowed, the bikini contest is no longer a part of the event as many of the original contestants are grandparents now!"
As in previous years, proceeds from the contest went to the MLD Elementary School in the Philippines. Unfortunately this year, waves were few and small, but just enough for everyone to get a chance to shine. Groms
1st: Bennet Kelly
2nd: Wes Adler
3rd: "Wild Bill"
Jr. Mens
1st: Cameron Packem
2nd: Cole Sweeney
3rd: Sal T. Nuts
Mens
1st: Jack
2nd: Jesse
3rd: Bill
Seniors
1st: Jimmy Valentine
2nd: Jack Jack
3rd: Ronstination
Longboard
1st: Brock
2nd: Norm Antonio3rd: Jack Santa Cruz
Womens
1st: Tammy Mowery
2nd: Shawana
For the complete gallery of 161 photos:
Venice Surf-A-Thon 2013 Photo Gallery
For the photo gallery of last year's Surf-A-Thon:
Venice Surf-A-Thon 2012 Photo Gallery
More Photos: Venice Surf-A-Thon 2013 Photo Gallery
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