Surf Culture Gets Major Boosts Across the Country
Hey wave warriors and lens lovers! Let's catch up on some seriously cool developments making ripples in our surf community. First, right here in the US, Santa Cruz is planning to honor surfing's heritage with a powerful new landmark—a female surfer statue on East Cliff Drive. This bronze beauty will mirror the iconic West Cliff 'To Honor Surfing' statue but with a twist: she'll be rocking a wetsuit as a nod to Jack O'Neill's game-changing gear. Same artist, same epic scale, but this time celebrating women's contributions to the lineup. The project's already in motion with public hearings coming up, aiming for completion by spring 2027. You can dive into the full proposal details right here.
Meanwhile, down in Hawaii, Duke's Maui is stepping up their aloha game by becoming the title sponsor for the legendary 'Legends of the Bay' contest. This isn't just any event—it's a cornerstone of West Maui culture where groms and pros alike battle it out at one of the world's most coveted breaks. With alumni like Carissa Moore and Ian Gentil, it's steeped in stoke. Duke's commitment through their 'Legacy of Aloha' program ensures this community gem keeps shining. As Nick Ware from Duke's puts it, 'This event truly belongs to the community.' Get the full story over at Maui Now.
And for a taste of future surf fun? Check out Clay Marzo and the Beefs TV crew absolutely crushing it at Palm Springs Surf Club's wave pool. Their latest 10-minute vid features Clay, Kalani Robb, and others navigating the slab settings on CatchSurf boards. It's pure unfiltered surf joy—the kind that reminds us why we paddle out in the first place. Whether you're into techy waves or just love watching masters at play, this is must-watch material. See the crew's antics on Wave Pool Mag.