Trestles surf spot saved (though not a great windsurf spot)

[geohaye]

Many of us surf, so this is somewhat on-topic. For those of you not following the story -- the great surf spot Trestles was on the verge of being wiped out, but, after at least a 10-year fight, has apparently been saved (for now). I just rec'd this update from the NRDC:

"The California Coastal Commission has just struck down a
proposed six-lane toll road that would have cut straight through
one of southern California's most popular state parks -- San
Onofre State Beach.

After more than 12 hours of testimony and deliberation, the
commission voted 8-2 to reject the short-sighted and destructive
highway plan. Commission staff presented a comprehensive report
stating that the toll road represents a serious threat to San
Onofre State Beach and violates federal coastal laws.

This satisfying win is a product of "Save, Don't Pave!" -- a
campaign of advocacy and activism we've been waging for years on
behalf of San Onofre State Beach. Above all, this victory
belongs to you, concerned state residents who flooded county and
state officials with phone calls and messages - and even turned
out in person - to defend San Onofre over the past years.

For now, we can all breathe a lot easier knowing that this gem
of the state park system is being defended by the Coastal
Commission. San Onofre State Beach is enjoyed by more than two
and a half million surfers, swimmers, campers, kayakers,
birders, anglers, cyclists and sunbathers every year. It is home
to 11 threatened or endangered species, and it contains
significant portions of San Mateo Creek, one of the last
unspoiled watersheds in southern California.

According to state officials, the toll road would have forced 60
percent of the park to close. It would have spoiled the
world-famous Trestles surfing beach and would likely have caused
the abandonment of the 161-unit San Mateo Campground.

As always we are taking nothing for granted. The NRDC Action
Fund will remain on alert -- ready to fight future attempts by
the Orange County toll road agency to push forward with this
disastrous proposal.

In the meantime, each and every one of our staff wants to thank
you for standing with us in defense of California's state parks.
What a great day to visit the state park nearest you and express
your gratitude!"
--------------------------------------------------------
And, here's a great link:
www.savetrestles.com/savetrestles.htm

[theq]

As much as I hate the traffic in the L.A, O.C., San Diego Cty. areas, I applaud this decision by the Coastal Commission. Trestles is a great wave. I used to surf their a few time per year back in the seventies. There were other premier surf spots that have been destroyed over the years by freeway routing. It's good to see one preserved. There are not that many good surfing spots in So.Ca., at least relative to the number of bad surfers. Any spot that's taken from the lineup of choices, adds pressure on the other spots.
Back in the sixties two spots were lost. One was a place called Stanley's Diner that was in Ventura. The other was called Killer Dana. I believe that Killer Dana was killed when they built the Dana Pt. harbor. I find it illustrative that they never seem to build freeways, etc. over the top of golf courses. I wonder why that is? (Not really) Maybe now that surfing has become a bit more mainstream, surf spots will be spared, much like golf courses have been in the past.

[jp5]

Surfers don't typically have much clout in these kinds of things. How many surf spots have been lost to harbors, jetties, freeways etc. Even though I have never been to Trestles I can appreciate the legacy and quality of that spot. It is nice to see a grassroots effort can win for a change against what is usually a greasy political mess backed by big money.

TheQ; I used to surf Stanley's dinner way back when as well as oil piers. I also used to race moto-cross at Baymare raceway, Muntz Cycle Park, and Indian Dunes. All long gone.

[theq]

Hey jpbassking, daddy of the 4-string, lover of the G-string : )

I rode motorcycles at Indian Dunes once, as a kid. I remember hearing about Baymare from a friend, who was much more into motocross. That was back when guys like Roger DeCoster were the big names, eh? Bultacos, Hodakas, Maacos, etc., were some of the big named bikes, no?

I'm sure that you'd like Trestles. It gets a bit crowded, for sure, but it's a top-notch wave. Heck, you might even like Zuma if you caught it a couple of weeks ago. Here are some links to pic's I took of my brother and a few strangers who scored that morning at Zuma.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaBottomTurnRight.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaJW2.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaJW_1.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/Zuma_cutback.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaJWBottomTurn.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaOfftheLip1.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaOfftheLip2.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaPipe.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaSlotLeft.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmw4re/ZumaSlotRight.JPG

[jp5]

"That was back when guys like Roger DeCoster were the big names, eh? Bultacos, Hodakas, Maacos, etc., were some of the big named bikes, no? "

Remember Swede Bengt Aaberg? I rode his replica Husqvarna 250 cross.
And don't forget CZ's, made from obsolete Russian tank metal. I had one of those too.

Great pics of Zuma, it can be a fun place to surf but also kind of munchy. Ever tried to duck dive a long board?

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