"I essentially created a dream space for myself," says architect.

The Delaware-born graphic designer Matt Titone whose two-volume series Surf Shacks mocks the traditional idea of surfers living in putrid hovels, its owners shrivelled and twisted and devoid of any erotic opportunities, is selling his divine Venice home for a little over one and a half mill. 

Titone and his wife Courtney have moved to Oxnard, near Dane Reynolds, Israeli super-surfer Eithan Osborne and the Silver Strand Fight Club, thus rendering the little cosmos they created in Los Angeles redundant. 

The house is at 3904 Michael Avenue, which ain’t that far from mythical Ladera Heights, black Beverly Hills, a domesticated paradise, palm trees and pools etc, and was built in 1947.

The listing agent describer it thus. 

The vibe begins in the lush low tolerant landscaping that extends throughout the property. Each area of the home was tastefully thought out to creatively use each space to the fullest, while never compromising style and flow. The main home was recently re-imagined featuring 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. And the private 2 story guest studio is complete with custom cedar finishes, Murphy bed, lounge areas, private deck, all easily opens to the outdoors through bi-folding doors. It is perfect place to host family, entertain friends, and create a comfortable work space. The outdoor area features an in-ground spa, fire pit and outdoor surf shower. Just steps to trendy eateries, shops and all beach area living has to offer. A truly unique home that offers an experience in living.

Titone’s brother Sam, an architect, was the muscle behind the renovation, his first independent project after graduating from college. 

“My brother and sister in law were my ‘clients,’ but I was lucky enough that they just let me play. They wanted an in-law suite and had a good idea for the look and feel of the interior. We were also on the same page with the aesthetic from the get-go, so that allowed me to really go nuts with the design. I essentially created a dream space for myself, since I was living there at the time. I wanted an independent, self sufficient back studio space for me to work, sleep, cook, relax, and enjoy nature.”

And, as Titone told Whalebone Mag who described it as the “one of the greatest Airbnbs in California”,

“Everyone who has stayed here has been cool and seems pretty jazzed on the place. The floating steel staircase is a beautiful detail, there’s a cool vintage fireplace on the outdoor patio, both the upstairs and downstairs fully open up as indoor/outdoor spaces with 2 bi-fold door systems and the whole place smells like freshly cut cedar. We also offer guests a pair of bikes and surfboards to use during their stay. The space is just really unique and cozy thanks to my brother’s design. It’s really private and the natural light that comes in is incredible—it’s hard to not be stoked when you are staying back there in my opinion.”

Buy here, although knock a few shekels off your initial offer. 

Florence skewers Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Blue Crush, Point Break, Orange County, Chasing Mavericks, Lilo and Stitch and Surf's Up.

The two-time world surfing champion, John John Florence, has appeared on an episode of GQ’s Breakdown where, with impressive earnestness, he examines the surfing in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Blue Crush, Point Break, Orange County, Chasing Mavericks, Lilo and Stitch and Surf’s Up.

Dressed in a fuchsia Florence Marine X crew neck that matches the radiances of his sun-beaten skin, the twenty-eight-year-old Hawaiian, whose net worth is twelve million dollars, delivers an eloquent potpourri of the petals fallen from the flowers of Hollywood.

Although released yesterday, the episode was clearly filmed over one year ago, Florence referring to the great Derek Ho, who died in July, 2020, in the present tense, although I too like to think Uncle Dez will live forever. 

A little long at sixteen minutes, but Florence has a warm sincere smile and speaks without restraint.

"The leg of the wet suit bulged with blood."

Three days ago, surfer and marathon swimmer Nemanja Spasojevic was hit by a Great White while diving for crabs off Gray Whale Cove State Beach, south of San Francisco. 

Now, in a written account about the attack which he shared to SFGATE, Spasojevic, thirty-eight, has described the pain of being hit by the White as being like a “mosquito bite… more like curiosity bite (than) attack.” 

Spasojevic, who was carrying a GoPro but didn’t film the attack or encounter, says he had just stuffed an undersized crab back and was looking for a bigger one when he felt a little pain in his leg and came face to face with the Great White, which he estimates as between six and eight feet long.

He couldn’t see its white underbelly but saw its distinctive nose and black eyes. 

“At that point I just started kicking with my back turned towards rocks frantically, Hoping if it strikes again it will hit the fins. I reached white water area where water was bashing on the rocks. I did think it’s minor, but I could feel that the wet suit was ripped and cold water was coming in. At this point I was out and walking on the sand, the leg of the wet suit was bulged/filled with blood. … I was aware that it may not be just a small bite, and I might need to drive to the emergency.”

Spasojevic got to the beach, used his dive belt as a tourniquet and asked a fisherman for help.

“When he noticed me I just dropped on the sand to position my body head downwards, as the beach was sloped, to help keep blood in the brain and slow blood loss. Rubber dive belt tourniquet may have helped but did not stop flow.”

Spasojevic was discharged from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital after twenty one hours with three diff antibiotics and a box of painkillers.

“My view of it was just a curious bite as gentle as it can get from such a powerful predator. Their teeth are razor sharp and cut through the skin with ease. In addition to being thankful to all responders, I’m very grateful to the shark as well that it was gentle and did not strike again. … [After all,] ocean is their home and we are just visitors.”