RALLY with LAIRD HAMILTON
Support the making of the new film "Beautiful Son" with Laird Hamilton!  This film about healing autism receives funds for every kilometer Laird stand-up paddles or peddles during his London to Paris crossing via the English Channel -  a total trip of 425 km.

Beautiful Son is a project from  local Bay Area filmmaker Charlotte Lagarde, the director of the Rell Sunn documentary,  Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka'ehukai , and Don King, the Hawaiian filmmaker and former Stanford  water polo player standout known for his underwater cinematography and other DP photography work in films such as Castaway, Riding Giants, Blue Crush and Charlie's Angels II.  He directed the 2005 Laird Hamilton American Express commercial and is currently shooting for the TV series LOST. 

The film is partly based on Don & Julianne King's son, Beau.  View the trailer here and support your local filmmakers by making a  tax-deductible donation at www.beautifulson.com.

PACIFICA/ HALF MOON BAY BUZZ
For coastal Highway One route fans, the word from Caltrans is that Devil's Slide won't be re-opened until September. That's rough on the residents, surfers and all the local businesses, so show the surf shops a little love.

We were sad to hear that the Pacifica skatepark is currently CLOSED due to vandalism last week -- motor oil was thrown into the bowls. So we now hope more folks will get involved with the Pacifica Skatepark Committee!  Email Leo Gomez to help create operations policies and produce upcoming skate events.

The NorCal Women's Surf Club has announced Sunday, Sept 3rd as the date for its 4th Annual NorCal Women's Surf Fest at Linda Mar on Labor Day Weekend. The Fest Fundraiser party will be held Saturday, Aug 19 at El Rio Club.

LOCALS IN THE MEDIA
Santa Cruz shaper Johnny Rice was recently profiled by Chris Ahrens in the latest issue of Surfer's Journal. Check out photos of young Johnny and a moving glimpse into his lifestory and Velzy's influence. Johnny's still a prolific shaper, has several popular Surftech models, and continues to be a strong supporter of women's surfing....

Women's surfwear has been dominating the pages of Title 9 and Athleta sportswear catalogs for the last 12+months, and local startups Carve Designs and Mooloolaba have been featured prominently...Although not a local, the Surftech/Siren Team Rider and world longboard champ Kristy Murphy also appears this month's Athleta print catalog.  She's one of several Las Olas instructors featured with Julie Cox (pictured left) and Ashley Lloyd, along with a Las Olas Surf Week-long Safari giveaway.  P.S. Athleta's big Warehouse sale in Petaluma runs Friday-Sunday, June 2-4.  Get up to 80% off retail.  Prices start at $5 & up. Hotline info: 1-888-322-5515 x1019.

Speaking of catalogs, if you haven't seen Patagonia's new surf catalog, check out their cool animated surf travel journal/slideshow, an online piece by the Malloys, "Bend to Baja." They stop through SF, Fort Point, and Mavericks, crossing paths with the colorful Eddie Donalan and SurfPulse's Mark Alfaro. The art is by former Santa Cruz resident Elissa Pfost.  The music is by the Todd Hannigan, who performed at the 2005 NorCal Women's Surf Fest fundraiser, and provided the music to numerous surf films, including September Sessions and Shelter. 

LOCAL SHOP TALK
Congratulations go out to Aqua Surf Shop's Devin Dargell, who tied the knot last weekend...O'Neill Surf Shop's Marin location closed recently and rumors have it that they are looking for a San Francisco location...If you haven't checked the Log Shop's latest expansion, they have 1800 square feet available for private & community events.  The space features an indoor skatepark for all ages -- large 5-foot halfpipe, 4 smaller quarterpipes, and a number of sunboxes, which all can be moved out of the way for functions.  The space also has a large movie screen, full, soundsystem, DJ booth, and a unique waterfall sculpture designed by Leo Goldman and Aaron Clark.  Check out their cooking classes (yes, cooking) by surf & private chef Derek Burns below, and stay tuned for art shows, movie premieres and more.  For room booking inquiries, contact Nicole at the Log Shop, 650-738-5664.  P.S. Log Shop also offers lessons for surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding/wakesurfing now. See below for more shop events.

KUDOS TO SURFTECH

Congrats go out to the Surftech crew --after being runner-up for the coveted “Board Builder of the Year” award the past two years behind powerhouse Channel Islands, Surftech brought home the hardware this year from the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) Summit.  Santa Cruz's very own was also nominated in the “Manufacturer of the Year” category -- a first for any board builder.

"We’re honored to be voted 2006 Board Builder of the Year and will continue to push surfboard performance to higher and higher levels," said Duke Brouwer, Surftech's marketing director. "This award is shared by our family of more than 50 legendary shapers, our team riders, the surf shops and surfers who ride our boards." 

See you in the waves,

Monica Lee, Kelly Vander Kaay + the Zuna Crew