Surf in Long Beach
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Bob Barnett bob.barn...@charter.net
I moved here 1 1/2 years ago and joined LB Surfrider, which was a 1 issue group-Tear Down The Breakwater Here's a brief history-
At one time Long Beach had the most popular beach in Southern California. But World War II and the Port of Long Beach changed everything. The federal government built a series of breakwaters that destroyed our beaches.
The breakwater has three sections. The San Pedro section (2.11 miles) was started in 1899 and was completed in 1912. The middle breakwater (3.5 miles) started in 1912 and completed in 1940. These two sections provide a safe harbor for both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The final Long Beach Breakwater section (2.53 miles) was started in 1940, interrupted in 1942 by World War II due to a lack of materials and manpower, resumed construction in 1946, and completed in 1949. This section was intended as a defense measure and safe anchorage for the Navy's 6th fleet. It was NOT built to protect homes along the shore.
The history of surfing in Long Beach was exciting and colorful. From bodysurfing to long boards.As a matter of fact, our surf was of such magnitude and fame that Long Beach sponsored many surfing contests. In addition, our beach was so popular many surfers from the islands (Hawaii) visited our shores to surf and participate in the contests.
The Surfrider Foundation, Long Beach chapter, was established as the result of six excellent articles by Bill Hillberg, Long Beach Press Telegram staff writer. We began in August of 1997 as a task force within the Hungtington Beach/Long Beach Chapter. The Long Beach Chapter was the result of this task force.
There have been many colorful moments and newspaper articles reflecting the short history of the breakwater issue. Starting with the six articles by Bill Hillberg in 1996; i.e. "Should Long Beach Bring Back the Surf?", "Breakwater Tourist want surf", "Lost Beaches" etc.
Other articles include "Beach Part 2001 Protest the Breakwater" and many more. Most of the criticism has come from the Peninsula, the Mayor's office, and the Port of Long Beach. The majority of citizens in Long Beach have expressed their desire for a return of clean water and surf.
We have been most active in the recent elections covering the even numbered council seat. We now have a new council member in the 4th district (Patrick O'Donnell) and a runoff election on June 8th between candidate Rae Gabelich and incumbent Rob Web. Both O'Donnell and Gabelich have endorsed the proposal for a study to determine the feasibility of reconfiguration of the Long Beach breakwater whereas the incumbent Rob Web is on record to be against it.
We, at the Long Beach Chapter, have for the past 7 years been actively working on the breakwater issue. In all that time we have found it inconceivable that the city will not agree to a study especially since it will not cost Long Beach one red cent.
We feel that within the next few months we will have enough votes from the council to proceed to the first step.
Ed Hendricks Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter I thought it was all a pipedream Tonite our candidate, Rae Gabelich, won the runoff election with 59% of the vote. We now have a majority on the LB City Council.
There is now a real probability that the eastern end of the breakwater will come down Here's what LB surf used to look like http://www.surfrider.org/longbeach/pholdnew.htm This is the only chance to actually restore surf breaks that I've ever heard of-at least in their natural state.
"tyubes" coffin_s...@weedmail.comNOT
I know nothing about long beach (and didn't read all of that, I like pictures! ) but this sounds like good news for surfers and anyone who likes a natural (looking) beach. Almost everyone would support coastal engineering that provides safe waterways and makes good use of the surf instead of destroying it.
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tbmad ...@alumni.caltech.edu (Timothy B. Maddux)
Wow.
Does the LB City Council have the authority to order the removal of the breakwater?
I would say it's a chance to restore waves, since that's what is missing. At Ventura Point / Surfer's Point / C Street / Fairgrounds / Stables / Pipes the waves continue to come but the quality of the break has been worsened because of an unnatural cutoff of sand supply, and steps are being taken to restore it (removal of Matilija Dam).
In both cases we're talking about removing some pretty m***ive structures (a dam or a breakwater) to benefit the surf. Awooo!
--
.-``'. Tim Maddux .` .`~ "The waves, as always, _.-' '._ hold the more insidious addiction."
Bob Barnett bob.barn...@charter.net
As far as we can tell-yes.
The mayor-ess (an old publicity whore who business brought in during the days of surplus oil revenues), and a councilman who says of the breakwater coming down, "I'm not willing to be part of that experiment"-even though the breakwater is the failed experiment, are the biggest impediments.
I will propose next week that the Surfrider board endorse the complete elimination of the east breakwater, not just the top 20 feet as earlier proposed.
Bob Barnett bob.barn...@charter.net
Actually, because of his wife, he's been more pro active that Grey Davis was.
surferb ...@hotmail.com (Surfer Bob)
Yay!
I grew up surfing in San Pedro. I found your account fascinating. I figured you all were pissing in the wind if removal would impact coastal real estate, but sounds like removal of the southernmost section would not do that. Since the naval application for which is was built is now history, it seems very feasible.
I've been pretty impressed with Long Beach's urban revival of the last 15 or so years. Nothing wrong with that place (business-wise and otherwise) that renewed beach quality wouldn't dramatically improve.
I imagine those blocking the feasibility study view it as letting the camel get his nose under the tent. Thus the stonewalling tactics. I hope you all can take that step now! I wonder how much removal would cost?
Man- in another world just think of all the grinding, shallow, hollow, powerful, marvelous waves breaking over liability-creating artificial surf reefs you could build along there with all that jetty rock! I guess that's not gonna happen here on the Planet of Personal Injury Lawyers. Maybe haul it offshore and make fishing reefs somewhere?
Local disposal will definitely reduce costs.
Go LB Surfrider!
Surfer Bob PS- I've recently acquired a 1928 air photo series for the area. Can you describe just where Flood Controls was? Somewhere near the LA rivermouth, I ***ume?
Bob Barnett bob.barn...@charter.net
Yes We need that stuff Send it over........
gles ...@aol.com (Gleshna)
The obvious solution: Convince Al Kyda that blowing up that long breakwater would do mucho damage to the USA.
Gleshna Overheard at 2004 ESA Northeastern Regional Surf Contest: "F%&*, I got beaten by a guy from the Great Lakes!"
rock ...@rodndtube.com
Guess you frequented that little local hideaway, is it Royal Palms, north of San Pedro a couple of miles... and the annual luau down on the beach.
--------------------------------------
Rod Rodgers Bring on the SPF!
http://www.rodNDtube.com/
surferb ...@hotmail.com (Surfer Bob)
Grew up a stone's throw from it. My home spot, as a kid. It is in San Pedro, not north of it. In fact, no surf spots are north of San Pedro.
Coast faces south there.
Surfer Bob
surferb ...@hotmail.com (Surfer Bob)
I am constrained from indiscriminant release of my copies by some copyright issues. But it is from the Fairchild air photo collection, flown in 1928. I am aware of copies at the Claremont Colleges, and at the Map and Imagery Library at UCSB. Other air photo archives (UCLA?
CSUN?) may have copies. You can access that stuff for free through UCSB if you have a UC academic affiliation (like a student or professor doing a project). I'll bet Surfrider LB can find someone at some UC to collaborate with.
I will be working a lot with this imagery over the next year or two.
My goal is to convert it to a good digital orthophoto product. I'll help you guys if I can. P-mail me.
Surfer Bob
"Awe F'shore" a...@yternalywayvah.net
I'd love to see some of those. Cool stuff.
Awe
"Awe F'shore" a...@yternalywayvah.net
This would be awesome to see in my old hometown. I used to bodysurf at 62nd place on the penninsula when I was a kid. Big south swells would sneak in there and break around 3'.
The removal of the breakwall would do wonders not only for the surf but it would get that stagnant pool circulating once again. It would be nice to surf a long eft off the marina jetty.
Awe
tbmad ...@alumni.caltech.edu (Timothy B. Maddux)
http://web.whittier.edu/fairchild/malibu_lagoon.html http://web.whittier.edu/fairchild/ocean_park.html http://web.whittier.edu/fairchild/santa_monica.html The whole website also has cool background photos...
http://web.whittier.edu/fairchild/cameo_cove.jpg http://web.whittier.edu/fairchild/long_beach.JPG
--
.-``'. Tim Maddux .` .`~ "From the essence of pure stoke _.-' '._ springs all creation."
tdsurf t...@NOwavecamSPAM.com
On Tue, 08 Jun 2004 23:20:48 -0700, Bob Barnett ...snip That would be awesome. I've had a lot of fun windsurfing the swells coming in through there and often dreamt what it might be like without that thing.
td
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