Surf Week: Shark Bites, Olympic Heat & History in the Making
What a week in the surf world! From teeth-chomping encounters to Olympic-sized debates and nostalgia-filled parking lots – the lineup never disappoints. Let's paddle into three stories that have everyone buzzing.
First up, California's early-season shark encounter sent shivers down spines. Tommy Civik, 26, got the ride of his life near Gualala when a shark launched him out of the water like a human torpedo. 'It was like being hit by a car. All of a sudden, I was shot out of the water,' Civik told SF Gate. His board snapped in half with bite marks that'd make dentist appointments look tame. While he escaped with just puncture wounds and stitches, the incident highlights ocean's unpredictability. You can read the gnarly details over at the New York Post.
Meanwhile, down south, the surf community's holding its breath as the 2028 Olympics bring global eyes to Lower Trestles. Right now, accessing the legendary break requires navigating a sketchy dirt trail, crossing active railroad tracks, and tiptoeing through coastal brush. While some see the Olympics as a golden ticket for safer pathways, locals worry about permanent crowds and environmental scars. As one coastal sage put it, 'The magic of Lowers is partially in the struggle to get there.' The tension between progress and preservation is thick as morning fog. Get the full coastal breakdown on Picket Fence Media.
For lighter vibes, head to San Clemente's Surf Ghetto where the Vintage Surfboard Collector Club transforms a parking lot into a time machine this Saturday. Founder Brian Davis – a 55-year waterman who once lived on Hawaii's North Shore – describes it as 'a bunch of people who collect surfboards instead of stamps.' Picture: $50 learner boards next to museum-grade relics, all while swapping tales of glass jobs and epic wipeouts. 'You never know who's going to show up, and you never know what they are going to bring,' Davis chuckles. Whether you're hunting for a retro ride or just soaking in surf heritage, it's a love letter to the craft. Check the lineup here.
From ocean power plays to Olympic debates and parking lot time capsules – it's proof that surf culture's always cooking up something new. Got thoughts on these stories? Drop us a line below – we're all ears after this week's lineup.