Book Review

If Everybody Had An Ocean….

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By Amy V. Dewhurst
Summer is here, and with it an estimated 5 million tourists will visit our beach. What that means is more kooks at The Breakwater. If someone snakes your wave, you get a bad sunburn, or just can’t shake the sand from your bed “Pop Surf Culture” will remind you why you fell in love with the life.
The Santa Monica Daily Press recently published this 272-page postcard book which illuminates the path of pop culture our favorite sport did seek. Though there is mention of Main Streamers; Gidget & Moondoggie, Frankie & Annette and the always prolific Brian Wilson.
The thorough work of authors Dominic Priore and Brian Chidester highlights the impact and achievement of surf savants; Duke and Miki Dora, filmmakers; Greg Noll and Bruce Bruce Brown, Musicians; Dick Dale and The Sufaris, Cartoonist; Michael Dormen (of the famed ‘Beatnick & Fink’ cartoons) and even the fashion of the day (Phil Edwards and Mike Doyle for Hang Ten, Birdwell Beach Britches and Kanvas by Katin). Our own Pacific Ocean Park (of the 60s) is immortalized, as is ‘The Gas House’, ‘The Venice West Cafe’ and the Dewey Weber Store on Pacific. The cleverly titled chapter “These Boys Did Not Meet Maharishi” reviews the great (and not so great) music that defined the Westward Movement of the 20th century.
Tightly written prose is surrounded by psychedelic graphics, magazine covers, ticket stubs, album art and pin-up girls. This scrapbook carefully celebrates a sport and an era modern stores such as the egocentric Mollusk poorly attempt to epitomize.
For the real surf experience this summer visit Mother-Son duo Cheryl Johnson & Richie Harrington at ‘Maui & Sons’ on the boardwalk (1415 Ocean Front Walk). Their hours of operation are 9am-9pm, but I’ve often seen them renting gear to grateful groms in the early morning hours. They list the tides & surf report, rent suits & boards and even bandage up the occasionally injured shredder. With the anticipation of the Skate Park Opening “I’ve extended the size of my first-aid kit” assures Cheryl.
To perfect your pop up, give my friends Crash, Tonan and Jimmy V. a call—they are real deal locals guaranteed to get you out and up… (Like any good teacher, Jimmy nags me about paddling out daily).
‘Pop Culture’ can be purchased locally at; Hennesey & Ingalls, Arcana, Barnes and Noble, Border or online at http://www.santamonicadailypress.com
Waves can be ridden with the assistance of;
*Perfect Day Surf and Skate School Crash: 310-741-9908
*Tonan’s Surf Pro School Tonan: 424-214-8015
*Westside Surf Lessons Jimmy V: 310-774-7479
Happy Surfing (Happy Summer)! Aloha!
Pop Surf Culture: Music, Design, Film, and Fashion from the Bohemian Surf Boom can be ordered online from the independent Powell’s Bookstore at http://www.powells.com for $39.95.

By Amy V. Dewhurst

Summer is here, and with it an estimated 5 million tourists will visit our beach. What that means is more kooks at The Breakwater. If someone snakes your wave, you get a bad sunburn, or just can’t shake the sand from your bed “Pop Surf Culture” will remind you why you fell in love with the life.

The Santa Monica Daily Press recently published this 272-page postcard book which illuminates the path of pop culture our favorite sport did seek. Though there is mention of Main Streamers; Gidget & Moondoggie, Frankie & Annette and the always prolific Brian Wilson.

The thorough work of authors Dominic Priore and Brian Chidester highlights the impact and achievement of surf savants; Duke and Miki Dora, filmmakers; Greg Noll and Bruce Bruce Brown, Musicians; Dick Dale and The Sufaris, Cartoonist; Michael Dormen (of the famed ‘Beatnick & Fink’ cartoons) and even the fashion of the day (Phil Edwards and Mike Doyle for Hang Ten, Birdwell Beach Britches and Kanvas by Katin). Our own Pacific Ocean Park (of the 60s) is immortalized, as is ‘The Gas House’, ‘The Venice West Cafe’ and the Dewey Weber Store on Pacific. The cleverly titled chapter “These Boys Did Not Meet Maharishi” reviews the great (and not so great) music that defined the Westward Movement of the 20th century.

Tightly written prose is surrounded by psychedelic graphics, magazine covers, ticket stubs, album art and pin-up girls. This scrapbook carefully celebrates a sport and an era modern stores such as the egocentric Mollusk poorly attempt to epitomize.

For the real surf experience this summer visit Mother-Son duo Cheryl Johnson & Richie Harrington at ‘Maui & Sons’ on the boardwalk (1415 Ocean Front Walk). Their hours of operation are 9am-9pm, but I’ve often seen them renting gear to grateful groms in the early morning hours. They list the tides & surf report, rent suits & boards and even bandage up the occasionally injured shredder. With the anticipation of the Skate Park Opening “I’ve extended the size of my first-aid kit” assures Cheryl.

To perfect your pop up, give my friends Crash, Tonan and Jimmy V. a call—they are real deal locals guaranteed to get you out and up… (Like any good teacher, Jimmy nags me about paddling out daily).

‘Pop Culture’ can be purchased locally at; Hennesey & Ingalls, Arcana, Barnes and Noble, Border or online at http://www.santamonicadailypress.com

Waves can be ridden with the assistance of;

*Perfect Day Surf and Skate School Crash: 310-741-9908
*Tonan’s Surf Pro School Tonan: 424-214-8015
*Westside Surf Lessons Jimmy V: 310-774-7479

Happy Surfing (Happy Summer)! Aloha!

Pop Surf Culture: Music, Design, Film, and Fashion from the Bohemian Surf Boom can be ordered online from the independent Powell’s Bookstore at http://www.powells.com for $39.95.

Categories: Book Review, Culture, Surfing