MJ and Me at the Roller Rink

I was honestly crushed by the sad news of MJ's passing.

His music played an important role in my awkward, yet strangely exciting Jr high school years.

I remember the rush of adrenaline pulsing through my veins when the lights dimmed at the roller rink. The voice over the microphone rang out saying "guys grab a girl 'cuz it's time for couples skate!" I was a bit nervous about asking out the reigning school starlet, but when the DJ cranked up Billie Jean it was at that moment that I realized my entire life (13 1/2 years) was simply dress rehearsal for what was next...

As I shoved my skinny arms hurriedly into my black Members Only jacket I could feel the rinks powerful overhead fans (designed to mask the odors of 200 sweaty teens) whipping my hair into a perfectly feathered frenzy.

It was showtime.....

As the music blared I could feel the rhythm and beat of Billie Jean magically sync into my very being... Without further delay I grabbed that young starlet by the hand and whisked her gracefully onto the center of the rink, where only the beautiful kids dare skate...

Even as the security staff led me forcibly out of the rink and through the starlets surprisingly loud and rather pointed rebuke, I could still hear MJ in the background singing his heart out; "Billie Jean is not my lover, she's just a girl that says that I am the one, but the kid is not my son."
Not sure what those lyrics meant, but they sure felt good to sing back then and even now.

God bless you MJ, love and thanks for being a great wingman to gen x. We hope your dancing with the angels.

Passing the Torch

SURFING LAGUNA: Learning the pecking order and passing the torch

Zach’s surfing odyssey started out like countless other Laguna groms, rolling in the sand and bodysurfing in the shore break down at Thalia Street beach, and slowly venturing farther and farther out to the surfing line-up as his skill and confidence grew slowly over the months and years.
Like all young surfers, Zach had to establish his spot within the Laguna surfing hierarchy, or as it is commonly referred to in surfing, “the pecking order"..... Link Here to read the rest of this tear jerker.

On His Way to the Top

SURFING LAGUNA: On his way to the top

I remember it like it was yesterday: A little brown-haired boy fascinated by our collection of surfboards, skateboards and other beach toys peeked his head through the gate of my house and softly said, “Hello, I’m Adam.” That was years ago, and Adam Mejia (Mi-hee-uhh) is now a freshman at Laguna Beach High School.

Click Here for a warm heart...

Surf Fever Strikes Laguna Shores

SURFING LAGUNA: Bitten by the Surf Bug

Local authorities are reporting an increased level of “Surf Bug” bitings at local Laguna shorelines recently. Although there is no known cure for the resulting Surf Fever (Stokus Maximus), early intervention can limit its long term effects.... Click HERE for the chilling story

Special groms Learn to Surf!

The Switchfoot Bro-Am went down this Saturday at Encinitas and it was epic!

Music, surfing, eating...

We (Soul Surfing) were honored when approached by the event director to work with the event VIP's-

These VIP's happen to be homeless kids from the Oceanside area and boy do they know how to let loose and have a good time. The love and laughs were flowing freely and we were truly stoked to spend a few hours surfing together with these "groms"...

Many thanks to the fine folks at Stand Up For Kids who have an outreach that helps these young folks get on their feet..

Surfing Laguna Column

People Who Surf- Andrew Congleton

READ STORY HERE

Hobie Surf Shop Laguna Beach

I dropped in on the fine folks over at Hobie Sports this week in the Surfing Laguna column...

check it out HERE

Regular day at Soul...

Georgie ran away and caught a fish with his bro Burke and pals from the 'hood...

We ate it... it was good.

Check out the new SurfShot Digital Surf Mag....

Chris' Shaper piece is on pg 72/73

Check out the CSF Hot Grom for May- Dagan Stagg....

brought to us by http://www.surfride.com/

Random.... but so steezy!

Check out Chris' Shapers Q+A feature in SurfShot Magazine...

SURFING LAGUNA: Surfing siblings soar

Victor and Leah Pakpour are two surfers from Laguna to keep an eye on. This brother and sister duo has been turning heads with their talents both here in Laguna and throughout the Southern California surfing scene. Victor, who is 17 and a student at ...

SURFING LAGUNA: Laguna surfers leading the pack

This past weekend four Surfing Laguna alumni earned top honors in surf competitions across the state of California. Down at Oceanside Harbor, last week s featured surfer Leah Pakpour took home first place in the ISF State Championships Girls Shortb...

SURFING LAGUNA: Surfing for sanity is for real

Are you like me and currently trying to get a handle on where the line in the sand of sanity is drawn these days? I was stoked to find out that one of the best ways to fight anxiety (which can lead to depression) is surfing. OK, you got me, it wasn t...

SURFING LAGUNA: Tales from a Laguna original

EDITOR S NOTE: The following is a continuation of last week s column, Talking Story with Jimmy Hall. As a boy, Laguna Beach original Jimmy Hall grew up surfing here in town back in the late 60s and 70s. It was the place to be all summer, right i...

SURFING LAGUNA: Talking story with Jimmy Hall

One of the many great things about being a surfer is sharing the memories of past surfing experiences. There s no doubt that talking story is an integral part of the surfing lifestyle. It can happen in a million and one locales around the campfir...

SURFING LAGUNA: Ins and outs of surf shopThis week, Surfing Laguna was stoked to connect with Thalia Street Surf Shop owner Nick Cocores to catch up on life at what is arguably the geographical center of Laguna s surfing universe. From the moment you enter these family-run shops (there are ...

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