San
Clemente California
Is this Southern California town really the official surf capital of the world?
Claiming to be the "capital" of anything is a pretty controversial statement to make. But when statements such as those come from big time pro's it's hard to argue other wise.
"San Clemente may be the surf capital," says Jim Hogan, a world Champion long board surfer. "But surfing is definitely the heart and soul of San Clemente"
Well over a dozen surfing legends have all made similar statements as well.
The first impression we received while covering the San Clemente shores was wow. With a dozen successful surf gear shops and over 15 top of the line surf industry manufactures, San Clemente's surf business is a force to be reckoned with.
San Clemente is home of the Surf rider Foundation headquarters, claiming 29 chapters nationwide and 30,000 members. Surfing is big and it's getting bigger, that’s why worldwide clothing lines and surfing supply out-fits are heading over to San Clemente to be seen with the west coast pro surfing community.
San Clemente officially holds more surfers among the professional rank than any other place in the country. Shane Beschen is rated number eight in the world.
Professional San Clementeans Bobby Freidman and Anna Shisler are at the extreme of surfing, winning both the Professional Long board Association and World Long board Association contests. Jim Pinkerton, Dino Andino and Mike Parsons have all earned championship titles.
San Clemente native Brian Knoblock who we featured on last month’s article is another pro surfer who is already hitting the national spot light. He and other San Clemente surfers are earning the sponsorships of some of the worlds most recognized surf gear manufactures.
Being a native pro surfer out of San Clemente sometimes earns a pro surfer similar street credentials to those of talented Blues musicians out of south Chicago, the official Blues capital of the world and home of Blues legends Sonny Boy Williamson I, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Homesick James Williamson, Elmore James, and on and on.
San Clemente's long surfing heritage has molded its local youth to become great surfers. We saw kids as young as 8 yrs old catching waves as tall as buildings. From a distance we could have sworn these tikes were pro midget surfers!
So there you have it. It's been confirmed that San Clemente California is the official surf capital of the world.
San Clemente CA
Surfing Legends
Phil Hoffman, who took surf trips all over the world was an early pioneer in the 40's and 50's, and #1 surfer in the world in 1964.
Marty Hoffman, his son, a competitor on the ASP World Surfing Circuit.
Joyce Hoffman, Phil's daughter, a four time Women's World Champion 1964-65-66, and one of surfing's greats.
Opai Wertz, a longtime San Onofre regular and local surf historian.
Dale Velzy, considered to be the first man to put a logo on a surfboard and was shaping Balsa wood before foam boards were invented. also is credited with having the first surf team.
Lorrin Whitey Harrison, the Legends of Legends surfed right up to the time he passed away.
Herbie Fletcher, a surfer who has transcended longboards and short,old style and new.
Shane Beschen #8 in the world, ASP World Tour of Surfing, 1996
Rich Chew, #1 US Men's Champ, 1966
Jim Hogan, #1 World Longboard Champ, 1995/96
Dino Andino, #1 National Champ NSSA, 1985
Mike Parsons, #1 Budweiser Professional Surfing Tour, 1992
Jonathan Paskowitz, #1 Longboarding Champion Bud Pro Tour, 1986
Chris Burke, #1 US Amateur Champ, 1983
Bobby Friedman & Anna Shisler, #1 Tandem Champions, Professional Longboard Association, 1996
Jim Pinkerton, #1 National Champ NSSA, 1986
Brenden White, Men's State Longboarding Championships, 1996
Shelli Hayden #1 Women's State Longboarding Championships, 1996
Pat Caldwell, #1 Boggie Board National Champion
San Clemente's & Local Surfing Industries:
San Clemente has a multitude of industries catering to surfing:
Duke Boyd, created the very idea of surf clothing, and published Surfing Illustrated, the first magazine.
Steve Pezman, publisher of Surfer.
Guy Motil, publisher of Longboard Magazine.
Hobie Alter opened one of the first surfing shops-Dana Point
Greg Arnet, a local surfer who started Arnet Sunglasses.
Herbie Fletcher built Astrodeck into one of surfing's most well-known product.
Rocky Sabo, owns Rockys Surf City.
Steward Surfboards, a well-known surf shop, and is the largest longboard manufacturer in the world .
Ranked by many as one of the most consistent surfing areas in all of Orange County, Huntington Beach, or HB (Surf City USA) is one of the world’s most popular surfing communities in the world. Trestles being #1 Newport and Salt Creek coming in second and third. The reason why HB is considered to be one of the most consistent surf areas is all based on the length of the beach. HB covers such a large area that it has a natural bend. This means that you pick up a wide variety of swells, depending on the area. The south end of the beach is exposed to southwest swells and the north end of the beach is west facing. HB is known for its long period of northwest swells, which most Orange County beaches aren’t exposed to. Had it not been for for the San Clemente Islands and Catalina, HB would be the most consistent surf spot in OC. These two islands block the energy that moves the swells to HB.
Huntington Beach is also world to a huge amount of surf contests throughout the year. Ranging from NSSA competitions up to the US Open Monstrosity. Other contents include volleyball, skateboard, and motocross competitions.
Newport Beach surf areas is divided into several areas. Santa Ana River, Wedge, Harbor Entrance, Newport Point, Lower Newport Jetties, and Blackies. Each spot with a variety of waves that vary in size, quality, and power. Newport is located south of Huntington Beach and north of Corona Del Mar with most of Newport Beach being the northern Peninsula of Newport Bay (referred to as Newport Harbor). One of the most popular points of Newport Beach is Newport Point. There are a many surf/ swim areas along this stretch of Newport. One of the most famous spots is “ The Wedge” which is right next to the north jetty of harbor entrance.
As one of Orange County’s top wave and main surf spots, Salt Creek is considered the top 10 photographed surf spots in the world. It is located in the middle of OC’s county coastline, next to Three Arch Bay to the north and Dana Point to the south. Salt Creek attracts its regulars from Laguna Nigel, Mission Viejo, and Irvine. The waves are said to get good with a variety of different wave types. Reefs, points, beach breaks and shallow sandbars are all near. With exposure to WNW and SW swells it can handle a high tides. Getting to salt Creek is simple. Its right down from the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point.
Trestles is located along the tip of San Mateo Point just south of the City of San Clemente, Ca. Trestles gets its name from a series of railroad trestles that run across the Onofre State Beach. Trestles is home to a large range of swells throughout the year.
One of the most consistent waves at Trestles is Upper Trestles. The wave is long and breaks along a rocky area south of Barb- Wires and Cotton. Breaking on S-SW and WNW swells but is considered to work the best in the winter.
“Lowers” or Lower Trestles is considered to be Southern California’s Crown Jewels. The point sticks out further than the other areas. The rock reef that extends off this point is nicely shaped and extends out into deeper water. This combination creates a workable long left which breaks towards Uppers. Middle trestles is considered a decent break to surf but not as good as many of the breaks around it. Usually this will be the place to surf when upper and lower Trestles is to crowded.
