It’s hard not to laugh, but Donald Warren Darst, 62, of Santa Cruz, California was arrested Monday, March 18, 2013 for allegedly vandalizing a stand up paddler’s vehicle, according to a story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Darst was arrested after the paddleboarder called 911 Saturday reporting that his vehicle had been vandalized for the third time while parked near 38th Avenue and East Cliff Drive, said deputy April Skalland of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. . . After the second vandalism — which the man suspected was “all related” to some surfers getting territorial and not liking paddleboarders — he installed a camera on his vehicle, Skalland said. . . She declined to outline exactly what the camera caught, but said the vandal’s image was clear enough and that the damage Saturday consisted of deep, 6- to 8-inch scratches along one side of the vehicle.
Now, Darst (who is reportedly a retired attorney) faces felony vandalism charges and the SUPer is even more stoked on sweeping around a spot where it appears at least one person doesn’t want him to sweep. Vandalism is obviously wrong, but damn those SUP dudes can be so unbearably annoying.
The first and only time we’ve ever interacted with pro surfer Serena Brooke we were sitting next to her at a Pipeline contest opening dinner in Waimea Canyon. Feeling honored to even sit at the same table with her, we introduced ourselves and mentioned how great it was for us to meet her. Before saying another word Serena turned her chair toward us and said, “Why don’t you ever put women in your magazine?” Not having then, nor ever had anything to do with the editorial content of a surf magazine, we replied with what we thought was humor, “Women surf?”
As any of Serena’s friends know, that was not the right thing to say. The rest of the evening did not go well for us. Now, Brooke, who recently gave birth to twin girls with her partner the artist Emma Sheldrake, is taking the same direct approach in her support of gay marriage in Australia, according to a story on News.com.au.
Brooke and her partner, . . . said they had everything except the opportunity to be legally married in Australia. . . Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott both oppose gay marriage. . . “It’s ridiculous because at the end of the day it’s just a piece of paper,” Brooke said. . . “We’re together. The government knows we’re together. We are totally recognised as having a family, the whole deal. It’s just that last piece they are denying us. . . “It’s time for change and to get on the same planet as the rest of the world.”
As usual, Brooke communicates it all very well. Click the link for the rest of the story.
Kelly Slater dropped in on Joel Parkinson to take his 52nd ASP World Tour win at Kirra during the final of the 2013 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and gets a great start on his Slater’s Dozen campaign.
I felt really relaxed. I was stressed early in the week,” Slater said from the stage. “I knew I was going to have to be relaxed to get past Mick and Joel. No one could seem to stop this bastard. . .?
Stoked Mentoring is getting board beyond belief on March 24, 2013 as 100 people will “join our youth to snowboard in Big Bear, then surf in Santa Monica, and lastly skateboard along the boardwalk – all in one day in what they’re calling the Trishredathon.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for STOKED’s programs that serve low-income youth in Los Angeles. The Kelly Clark Foundation, Asymbol, Zoo York, Flat Fitty and 20 other supporters have already raised nearly $10,000. We’re almost there! You can help us. Click here to donate.
Wanna keep the North Shore country? You better snap up this 101-acre ranch up right away. The Paumalu Ranch is going up for auction as is or in two parcels on March 25, 2013.
“Paumalu Ranch is the largest singular land offering available for sale on the North Shore,” Fetzer stated. “Sculpted by mountain ranges and Pacific Ocean horizons, both parcels have unlimited potential — including use for equestrian, hunting, farming and ranching — and offer the ultimate in tranquility and privacy. The possibilities are endless.”
We’re going to have to pass this time, but you really should buy it and keep it all ranched up before someone else gets it. You can even land your helicopter on the property and even walk to Ted’s Bakery if your want. It’s probably going to go for around $6 million. Follow the jump for the official details. [click to continue…]
Michel Bourez sneaks into a stacked semifinal line up.
Ignoring Michel Bourez for a moment today’s (well, tomorrow local time) Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast semi finals look straight out of the early 2000s: Kelly Slater vs. Mick Fanning, and current ASP world champ Joel Parkinson against the new guy. It would appear that experience matters. Either that, or the new ASP knows exactly how to pack a contest for maximum entertainment value. And the biggest will no doubt be the battle betwixt Slater and Fanning.
“Mick (Fanning) and I have a lot of history together,” Slater said. “We both put our competitive heads on during events and he has a lot of experience out here. The home town crowd will be backing him big time and that’s always fun. Should be a good heat.”
Yes, it should be. The event will start this afternoon sometimes (PDT) and tomorrow morning Australian time. For the official word and results, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
The surf at Snapper Rocks wasn’t exactly pretty, but that didn’t stop Julian Wilson, Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning , or defending champion Taj Burrow from getting on through four four at the 2013 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. The aging 11-time World Champion even managed to put down an 18.27 for the highest score of the day on Monday, March 11, 2013.
“It was an exciting heat and both Bede (Durbidge) and Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) were surfing really well,” Slater said. “It’s fortunate when it’s a non-elimination heat and guys are surfing so well – no one gets eliminated. The level has been really, really high here today and it’s a good start to the year. Hopefully we can get some waves at Kirra either tomorrow or Wednesday and finish in some barrels.”
For the official word from the ASP including results, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Australian home girls Tyler Wright , 18, and Sally Fitzgibbons, 22, faced off in the finals of The Roxy Pro Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks on Saturday, March 8, 2013 and even though Fitzgibbons got things rolling early, Wright was able to snag a 9.2 in the final minutes of the heat to snatch the win right out of Sally’s fingers.
“I don’t even know what to say right now,” Wright said. “I wasn’t even thinking out there. I was singing to myself and when I came in, my sister said ‘I was singing right along with you’. That little wave came in and hugged the bank and I just left it all on the wave. To get the score and the win like that, it’s incredible. . . “I’m not even thinking about the world title,” Wright said. “I had a rough season last year and I took a good break over the offseason, got a motorbike and just relaxed. To come back and get a win in the first event, it feels great and I’m just going to enjoy it.”
For the official word from the ASP follow the jump.
