What do you do when someone is mean and tries to stop your freedom of speech? You take a deep breath, get it all back together again and get RIGHT BACK AT EM!

It’s been far to long since my last post(which might be fine with some of you)but do to circumstances beyond my control that’s the way it went down. During these past few months a lot has happened in the surf world but not to much in the surf its self. Weather wise it has been one of the cloudiest Summers on record with the water temp being colder than ever before for this time of year. The surf and swells have been a bit meager and combined with the poor weather and cool water temps most surf sessions have been few and far between. Just when I started to feel sorry for my self a spontaneous email showed up in my box that made me re access where my mind was at.

Renowned traveler and surfer extraordinaire Shayne Mcintyre dropped me a simple little request for some help. It seems Read the rest of this entry »

Big Blacks!!!

Surfing is a passion that real surfers can never satisfy! Long hours in the water, constantly paddling and getting thrashed about are all part of the game. Like most physical games that one plays, sooner or later it all starts to catch up with you.
When you’re young and seemingly indestructible, charging and pushing your limits Read the rest of this entry »

Which do you like?

When is a board not just a board? The answer to that is hard to put into mere words but one that is used often is SPECIAL! What makes a board special? That’s an even harder Read the rest of this entry »

El Nino formation

After last years all time poor winter surf season, expectations for a better one this year were expected. So far this seems to be the current pattern. With consistent waves as of late and clean weather patterns, memories of last years wave drought Read the rest of this entry »

BIRDS DISCLAIMER FOR ALL THINGS SAID IN MY BLOG!                 11/7/09

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WHAT EVER I POST IN MY BLOG ARE MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS, IDEAS, STORIES, WORRIES, CONCERNS, PRAYERS ETC. THEY ARE IN NO WAY REFLECTIVE OF THE VIEWS, THOUGHTS ETC. OF ANY BUSINESS THAT I AM EITHER EMPLOYED BY OR HAVE A PARTIAL INTEREST IN. THIS IS ESPECIALY TRUE TO SOUTH COAST SHOPS SOUTH COAST BOARDS OR ANY THING ELSE THAT HAS TO DO WITH ANY THING SOUTH COAST.

 THESE PERSONAL STATEMENTS ARE MY VIEWS,  THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES ON HOW I SEE THINK OR REMEMBER THINGS. EVERY PERSON IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OWN THOUGHTS AND BELIEFS AND WHAT I POST ARE JUST THAT.

 NEVER BE AFRAID TO SAY WHAT YOU MEAN BUT BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENSES OF WHAT YOU SAY.

                                                                      BIRD

Who is a KOOK????

Having been lucky enough to surf over the last forty plus years, I have seen many changes both in and out of the water. Equipment changes for sure but attitude changes have occurred as well. Perhaps not with the same visual impact that can be seen on a daily basis, but more in a vibe type of thing. I’m not going to get into localism or bullying tactics, these are usually just a bi product of ignorance. I’m going to try and unravel Read the rest of this entry »

Dick Brewer

Being that I believe in GOD and I’m a Catholic as well, I don’t often use the word SACRED. It is a special word to me, not to be used on every day mundane things. On this occasion I feel the word is applicable. Read on if you’d like and make your own call.

Here’s a basic run down on this must see events history and purpose.
Scott Bass, an avid waterman, surfer/boarder, writer and all around ocean minded individual, wanted to bring the one thing that has made surfing what it is today into proper perspective. That one thing of course is the SURFBOARD. Read the rest of this entry »

Tusnami Wave

The TSUNAMI that resulted from a major earthquake right off of SAMOA has caused BIG TIME damage and some deaths in an area far away from us BUT not as far as you might think. San Diego has a large population of not only Samoan’s but other Pacific Rim people. Besides that, we are all in this world together RIGHT. Read the rest of this entry »

Quicksilver Wetsuit demo day @ OB Pier Sept 26 9am-1pm

Have you ever dreamed of having a QUIVER of boards in all different SIZES, SHAPES and FIN configurations? Well YOUR DREAM can come true this Saturday September 26th, at least for a few hours or so. South Coast Surfboards is pulling out all the stops along with around 25 boards just to let people expand their minds in regards to surfboards at the OB pier. Along with the boards will be the shapers and glassers who make them. Robin and Larry will be on hand to talk board theory and design to all that are smart enough to ask ?s and listen. Mark, from CUSTOM SURF and SAIL will explain the often over looked importance of a QUALITY GLASS JOB.
If that is not enough to get you out of bed early, QUIKSILVER WETSUITS will also be on location to let you look, feel and TRY out their NEW RANGE of wetsuits. Get there early to avoid the crowds and enjoy the morning glass. I’ll even buy you a cup of coffee and a donut!

Words are used as a main source of communication. Most often spoken but also written, words can conjure up an idea, correct a wrong or totally baffle someone. The terminology of words used by surfers can definitely cross the line of their original intent. I’m sure Mr. Webster would agree with me. So called Surf talk or Lingo can be especially difficult as the meaning of words can take on various forms through out the different regions with in our surf community. Some of these words or terms as it may be can be traced back to other slang expressions used in many different places by an infinite variety of cultures and peoples. The following is just a random sample Read the rest of this entry »

Billabong art of shaping

When you cut through every thing that evolves around surfing, it always comes back to one thing. The SURFBOARD! Sure the clothing, footwear, accessories etc. are all a part of the game, BUT the SURFBOARD is the GAME. No where is that game played better than right here in San Diego!

With the depth of HISTORY and DESIGN that has come out of this part of Southern California, it was just a matter of time before some honor and props were sent this way. After BILLABONG’s well received THE ART of SHAPING: HAWAII EDITION premiered at last years ASR show they are going to continue supporting traditional, hand built surfboards by focusing on some of the best and most innovative shapers in the San Diego area. Twenty Three local shapers representing multi generations of board building and design work have been selected to participate in this year’s event. Some of these guy’s have probably shaped you or a friend a board or two. They may have been the guy behind the planer who shaped the board under another company’s label. Though ALL are extremely gifted at what they do, they are by no means the ONLY great shapers in San Diego and they would be the first ones to tell you that. Each has more than paid their dues in multiple ways. For a complete line up and brief bios on these shaper’s please check. out Billabongs The Art of Shaping special web page devoted to this years happening. If further info is needed feel free to contact me right here or check out the link:

http://www.billabong.com/artofshaping/missionState.html

Be there or be SQUARE! Later, Bird

Vintage Caster ad

If you know me, then you know of the deep love and respect that I have for BILL CASTER. My relationship with Bill spans a period in my life from the time I was a 13 year old grom to becoming a semi succesful surfshop owner. Not a day goes by that in some way Bill’s influence does not factor into my life. It might be a call from some one wanting to know the value of an old Caster that they found or have hung on to over the years. Or maybe Read the rest of this entry »

Bird with boards photo by Bloomfield

ALERT! ALERT ALERT! This Sunday from 9-2 I’m going to be selling off some of my boards. All era’s will be repersented from the 60s to NOW! Beaters at $50 Classics for a hell of a lot more. Some 5 pd epoxy models to 40 pd vintage stock. AND once again MY pal RANDY is blowing out a crap load of diving gear such as fins masks snorkel wetsuits pumps booties gloves etc. Stupidly priced for liquidation. Buy 1 piece or by it all!
Bottom line is stop by and shoot the S^*t for awhile! You might find something that you like. 1091 West Morena Blvd.
Be there or be SQUARE!

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Rex @ Big Rock

Rex @ Big Rock 2

When I started to ride waves, there were limited ways to do so. You could bodysurf(which is still the purest form of surfing) ride a traditional surfboard or in much rarer cases, ride a paipo/belly board or a raft/mat. Shortly there after a few guy’s mutated into kneeboarders. I was one of the lucky few who got to experience those times. Am I qualified to do so? Read the rest of this entry »

Big Rock

The wave by Dave Frankle

HOW can things change from feeling so right to going so wrong in such a short period of time? Unless you’ve been comatose or out of the Country over the past few days you have probably either surfed or at least heard about how large and good the waves have been. When swell and weather all comes together at one like this it’s time to surf la jolla!

Knowing full well that the new and building swell would focus in the LA Jolla areas ,so to would the crowd. Choosing less size but better quality and mellower crowd counts, I opted to surf the Cliffs at dawn to take advantage of the negative low tide and cleaner conditions. Unfourtunately quite a few other surfers had the same idea. Although THE SPOT was pretty crowded, 95% of the people out were good friends and locals. It was inconsistent but the set waves were solid and worth the wait. About an hour into my shift the crowd faded quickly as the tide filled in. When I finally packed it up to split, there were only about 4 people even out. High tide or not, it was still fireing.

I had been able to pick off a fair share of solid set waves and was feeling very happy about how I had surfed them. You know how that goes! Everything clicks in place and it seems that you can do no wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I am going to sell off 15 or 20 + if I can get some decent money for them. It will be a mix of OLD not so old NEWER and BRAND NEW. Any thing from a few old beat up 60s boards to BRAND NEW Byrning spears. Mostly Poly but some epoxy. This will happen this Sunday July 19th from 9AM-3PM. Could be a few other board collectors throwing some of their stuff into the mix as well.
One of the people who shares the building with me will CLOSING OUT A WHOLE BUNCH of SKIN DIVING gear like masks, snorkel, fins, booties, hoods, full suits and spring suits etc. We’re talking CHEAP here. ALL the gear is new but all sales are final too.
Stop by and BUY or just hey hello. You never know who or what will show up. I’ll be at my SHED at 1091 West Morena Blvd. which is right down the road from Ropers and just West of Skip’s shop. If you don’t know where those places are than Map Quest it or use a Navigation system.
Later, Bird
P.S. I’ll even have some donuts while they last and some cold drinks to.
P.P.S. Cash only in AMERICAN money. NO $100 dollar bills accepted due to a flood of bogus bills circulating.

Jeffrey's Bay 2009

For me, season travel is usually reserved for Fiji in the Winter and Montana in the Summer but just two short years ago I able to squeeze in South Africa by pure luck. When I say pure luck I’m not joking! Billabong had a dealers promotion where if you were qualified, your name was put into a box and if it was pulled you won a twelve day world wind adventure to J Bay in South Africa. My name was pulled and the planning began. Here’s some of my fondest memories Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry about the lag in posts but I’ve had a lot more to do lately than report surf. As I found my self working extra hard lately around the shop, I had to remind myself of how hard one of my favorite shapers works! Xanadu is a true surfers shaper! He lives and breaths surf 24-7. At least once a month he personaly comes into the shop to check up on the state of surfing in my area. Sure he checks his stock level of boards BUT Read the rest of this entry »

Iran in the Middle east on World news center stage.

Over the past week there have been riots in Iran over, what most likely are fraudulent results of their recent election. You might be asking yourself why does Bird even care about these events?

Well, I’m about to tell you why IF you have a few minutes to listen.

So! Things in our own Country are pretty sketchy right now too, are they not? From my point of view, my values have been turned upside down. Common sense is being replaced by a got to do it now and worry about it later mentality. Life time laws are being reversed or Read the rest of this entry »

SUMMER DEMO DAYS at SOUTH COAST WINDANSEA + surf music

Summer is here so it’s time to try out some new things and South Coast Windansea is here to help you do just that!

This Saturday the 20th of June

South Coast Surfboards is teaming up

with Rip Curl Wetsuits for a DEMO DAY!

TOM CURREN and TAYLOR KNOX will be at the PB South Coast from 8 am till 12 noon. Stop by and try out the new model wetsuits from Rip Curl and the South Coast Surfboards arsenal of new design and models. Demo FCS Fins will be available to try and Dragon Sunglasses will be there Read the rest of this entry »