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Chris Cantore previews the new monument at PB's legendary break

SURFING SAN DIEGO

Editor's Note: Welcome to the first installment of sandiegomagazine.com's new and expanding surf coverage. To lead our revolution, we welcome longtime radio personality and Surfrider Foundation's 2006 Waterman of the Year Chris Cantore into the fold. Chris joins our ever-increasing stable of bloggers and reporters, including Brian Malarkey and Kimberly King.

On Saturday, I was out at Tourmaline Canyon Surfing Park and took the following photo of a recently constructed surfers’ memorial. Picturing the legendary Skip Frye, it reads:

This monument honors the past and present surfers at Tourmaline Canyon Surfing Park who have embraced its beach, surf and camaraderie. Since the opening of the park in May 1963, Tourmaline's local surfers have shared their time, skills, and wisdom with all who have been interested in receiving them. Great surfers and fine men and women have grown up within the Tourmaline culture, and carry the positive traits learned here into their lives and those of the people around them.

My personal favorite line: "Surf Well, Spread Aloha, Share Waves Without Judgment."

I have a special connection to Tourmaline. In August of 1988, I purchased a bright-yellow 8'0" Skip Frye Magic Egg (used) from Donna Frye at Harrys' in Pacific Beach (the current site of an uppity, boutique hotel). Eighteen at the time, I launched out at "Tourmo" with a barrel-full of insecurity. Afraid of getting labeled as a "kook," my personal judgment was quickly eased by the warm reception I received from the local surf community (in and out of the water). Today, 20 years later, I call some of these people my best friends. I've learned more life lessons while waiting for the next set than from a college education and 15-year career in broadcasting. At Tourmaline Canyon Surfing Park, in addition to wisdom, surf skills continue to be passed down from the original surf "gurus" of the 1960s.

Some of these aforementioned surf "gurus," or honorees, have been immortalized in a plaque that sits embedded in the rock structure (at the foot of the parking lot). Names include Skip Frye, Skeeter Malcolm, Larry Gordon, Floyd Smith, Doc Paskowitz and Mike Hynson. Surrounding the memorial, a la Petco Park, are engraved bricks available for purchase to show your support for the project.

According to www.tourmalinememorial.com, the Tourmaline Tailgaters Surfing Association, responsible for the memorial, will donate your contribution to the City of San Diego as a "Park Enhancement."

The Memorial Brick purchase price is $200 (first come, first served). If interested, contact the Start Surfing Company at 858-273-7827 or e-mail greg@tourmalinememorial.com. Personally, I know what I'm putting on my Christmas list.

 Next week: The great kitesurfing debate. If you have an opinion, either way, on kitesurfing, feel free to leave a comment below.

Quick hits: 

—- Surfing 50 States, Monday, November 17, 6 p.m. The Loft, UCSD. Admission: $10, $5 for UCSD students. Drag those flip-flops to the Loft for a film that trails the wake of Jonno and Stefan as they board America (that includes puddles), in the SAN DIEGO PREMIERE of Surfing 50 States. Later, the Australian brother-sister duo Angus & Julia Stone charm the stage for their first show in the U.S., followed by Canadian funksters Hey Ocean. What more could you ask for on a Monday? ArtTalks! Join Filmmakers Jonno Durant and Stefan Hunt for a post-screening conversation with UCSD student and filmmaker Matthew Goodwin. surfing50states.com.

— SurfriderSD Chapter Meeting next Wednesday, November 19, 7-9 p.m. at the Oceanside Civic Center Library, 330 North Coast Highway. This meeting will focus on the Blue Water Task Force and local issues. Details: surfridersd.org.

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