Save Trestles

Attention...Attention...Urgent Message.

Cool, now that I have you attention I want to share some information on an issue that I recently became aware of from my trip to San Clemente, California which is "SAVE TRESTLES". For my readers who are not surfers, Trestles is a famous and historical surf spot just south of San Clemente in the San Onofre State Beach.



What is occuring in this area is that the Transportation Corridor Agency is seeking to build an extension to an existing toll highway that will pass right through the coast line in the San Onofre State Beach, including Trestles Beach. If constructed this project would directly threaten the world class surf break at and around Trestles (including Uppers, Lowers, Middles, Church and Cottons), the project would also result in the destruction of Southern California’s last remaining pristine coastal watershed and substantially degrade habitat that is critical for the survival of at least seven endangered species, including the Southern Steelhead trout.

From this project of destruction came about a movement so that voices can be heard to protect this area from development called "SAVE TRESTLES".

Save Trestles website

Save Trestles....At Issue

On September 22, 2008 10:30am to 8:30pm, in O’Brien Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the SAVE TRESTLES movement will be attending a hearing to show their strong support for San Onofre State Beach. So if you are passionate about surfing show your support for this beautiful area so that generations to come can enjoy what Trestles has to offer.

Boost Mobile Pro 2008 Final - Kelly Slater vs. Taj Burrow

Hello fellow boardsport enthusiasts just wanted to share with you some of the best competition surfing ever that when down in San Clemente, Lower Trestles, yesterday. It was 8 time ASP champ, Kelly Slater, against Taj Burrow.

The finals competition heat was 40 mins long and in the first 10 mins Taj Burrow busted out two amazing waves, 9.00 and a 9.63 out of 10 to put the pressure on Slater early. But that only seemed to fire up Slater because in the last 2 mins of the heat Kelly Slater ripped through the waves and scored a 9.27 to beat Taj by a total of 18.97 vs. 18.63...Slater had a 9.70 after Taj scored his high waves. It was definitely an amazing sight to see Slater work his magic in the dying mins of the competition and you can see it too in the link below.

Boost Mobile Pro 2008 Final - Kelly Slater vs. Taj Burrow

Kelly Slater is going for his unprecedented 9th ASP championship this year and it looks like he just might get....this is history in the making.

Surfing in San Clemente

While in vacationing in San Clemente I had chance to give surfing a shot. I have always loved the sport of surfing since I was a young kid. What attracted me to surfing was the aspect of connecting with your environment, traveling to exotic locations and the smooth flow of the surfing style. Now what kept me from pursuing surfing was first the obvious, I didn't live near the ocean growing up in Toronto, second I really sucked at swimming. Two main ingredients to be a good surfer. For me the closest thing to surfing was snowboarding, but in the back of my mind I always want to surf in the ocean. Don't get me wrong I love snowboarding and the mountains and that won't change....it's so much a part of who I am now.

Back to my surfing experience in San Clemente. The first day on the board I was just getting a feel for padding and trying to catch the waves. It wasn't too bad because San Clemente is one of the best places for beginner surfers and the water level where I was was not deep, about waist to should height. Also I read on the net that beginners should start learning to surf in the white waters of the waves, which is basicly the tail end of the wave cycle. I did pretty good for my first day, almost fully stood up and rode away. The next couple of days I did much better, started to get use to popping and standing on the board with a little more confidence in the white waters. One my last day I wanted to try to get more in the wave rather than the tail end white waters...boy was that a mistake. Each time I tried to catch the wave like a more seasoned rider I got slammed by the wave, and let me tell you it was the hardest falls I have ever experienced. The waves energy is really powerfull even if they are not that large. Boy was I hurting the day after.

Overall I was proud of myself for trying surfing even though I'm not the best swimmer and it looks like I will be doing alot more surfing in the future here in BC, Tofino, and in SoCal in San Clemente...my new favourite place. Also I going to take some surf lessons, most likely in Torfino, so I can really learn the fundaments to be a better surfer. If you have the chance give surfing a shot, it's a really unquie experience and it's not as scary as I thought is was going to be.

San Clemente, California

Hello all,

Just writing a short note from here in sunny California. I have been here in San Clemente, California for a couple of days now and loving it. San Clemente is a somewhat small city, a population of about, 65,000 in between LA and San Diego. It's a beach town right on the pacific ocean that get amazing waves.



Actually San Clemente area is one of the best spots to surf in North America. It has an area that beginners can start surfing, all the way up to more advanced surf spots. Also this area, more specifically Trestles beach, will be hosting the upcoming 2008 Boost Mobile Pro surf competition from Sept 7th to 13th. I wish I could stay longer to watch the comps, it should be a really good one.

2008 Boost Mobile Pro in San Clemente

I am staying at a condo that is pretty much right on the beach, with a view of the pacific ocean. It's pretty awesome, check out the pic below. It's really amazing to wake up everyday and have the ocean right there for a quick swim or surf in the morning before you start your day.


San Clemente Vacation Condo



Today I went bodyboarding, since I never surfed before, and it was so much fun. The waves where pretty gentle to my surprise and a good size for someone, like me who is not the best swimmer. Tomorrow I'm going to give surfing a shot, want to see how close or not it is to snowboarding. I already know it's going to be hard because I was trying to stand on my bodyboard and it's not easy.

Well I just want to say that San Clemente is a beautiful city with sand, sun, surf & really nice people. I think this could be my new favorite place....we'll find out. Definitely a city to check out if you have the chance.