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July 4, 2008 -

Being Independent

Off celebrating Independence Day and conducting a little personal research on the impact of the new anti-alcohol regulations on San Diego area beaches.  In the meantime, even though I haven’t seen it yet, Alexander Jackson’s fictionalized but first-hand account of his stint as a beach lifeguard in Stone Harbor (New Jersey) has been getting some good reviews.  The book is called Lost Paradise, A Lifeguard’s Tale.  The account is reportedly based on his experiences lifeguarding for five summers on the New Jersey shore.

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June 30, 2008 -

Trial Regulations for Kite Surfing

A six-month trial of proposed regulations for kite surfing starts July 1 at the Silver Strand State Beach.  According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the regulations restrict the area where kite surfing can be practiced to avoid conflict with others in the water.

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June 24, 2008 -

Money and Art

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that California’s ‘Whale Tale’ license plate is going to be changed due to a dispute over royalties between the Coastal Commission and the original artist, Robert Wyland.  The state has reportedly collected $40 million from the special plate since it was introduced in 1997.

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June 12, 2008 -

Bikinis Are Back

Kanab, Utah, has reportedly decided that a policy at their new city pool prohibiting both bikinis and speedos went too far, and will change the rule.  Giggling though at City Councilwoman Nina Laycock’s statement that “We were so engrossed with safety and health issues we overlooked the wording.”  How on earth is a dress code a health and safety issue?  The comments on the original Salt Lake Tribune article are particularly entertaining. 

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June 6, 2008 -

Wardrobe Changes Announced For San Onofre

The acting superintendent for San Onofre State Beach has announced that effective September 1 nudity will no longer be permitted at the park’s Trail 6 Beach.  This is not a change in law, but in local enforcement.  According to the Union-Tribune, the decision to abandon years of tolerance is due to a new interpretation of a civil rights law from 1991.  The nudity reportedly makes some employees unconfortable, and park management is reportedly acting to avoid sexual harassment claims, though the Union-Tribune article seems to refute the legal basis for that rationale. 

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May 30, 2008 -

Economic Shifts

Good article in the L.A. Times on continuing turmoil in the Southern California surfboard industry since the 2005 shutdown of Clark Foam, attributed at the time by Clark to California’s unfavorable legal environment for the business.  The article discusses the changes in the industry, including the flood of low cost imports into the gap created by Clark’s departure from the market, and discusses to the downstream closure and other problems of a number of other Southern California businesses.

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May 22, 2008 -

North San Diego County cracks down

According to the Union-Tribune, Del Mar has followed San Diego and the Torrey Pines State Park in instituting a ban on alcohol at public beaches. 

On a related note, the City of Oceanside has increased the authority of their lifeguards to issue citations for petty offenses.  Even though the vote was unanimous, it was interesting that the North County Times article did report at least one city council member, Esther Sanchez, inquiring about the impact of extra duties on the core responsibility for water safety.

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May 8, 2008 -

Coronado Homeowners Settle Case

Two property owners in Coronado who removed rocks and built a wall to protect their beach-front homes have settled Federal and State complaints for $300,000 in penalties.  According to the Union-Tribune article:

The homeowners will have to replace the rocks, remove part of the wall that encroaches on state property and pay a $250,000 fine and $25,000 for Port of San Diego staff time.

The property owners, who fought local, state and federal agencies to save the sandy beach they uncovered two years ago, say they are relieved the fight is over.

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May 3, 2008 -

Beaches Get Expensive

State budget difficulties are reportedly behind the proposal to end free parking at Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad.  According to the North County Times, the Coastal Commission is scheduled to vote on a proposed $8 parking fee this week.

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April 28, 2008 -

Just Distracted

Not that my interest in coastal access has lagged in the slightest, and the new puppy is as big a fan of dog beaches as any dog I know, but election issues and posts for KPBS, not to mention actually practicing law and earning a living, have been dominating my online time.

Expect more here soon though as California’s June election with two, count-em two, propositions on Eminent Domain get closer and California’s budget crisis begins to actually impact beach use and safety.  That and my various injuries heal enough to let me back in the water.

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Interesting Sites

70 Percent Good site focusing on reporting and documenting break conditions for waveriders
Coastal Marine Resource Center Non-profit from the New York-New Jersey Harbor Bight
Free PB Opposition to additional beach regulations at San Diego’s Pacific Beach
Race for the Oceans A forum for swimmers and swimming fans to dive in to ocean conservation.
Surfrider Foundation Activities and campaigns for clean water, beach access, beach preservation and protecting special places.
Wave Ride Net Surfing and surf spots