So long dirty ol' Wedge.
We are all but living in Kelly Slater’s world. The second-greatest ever surfer, 11x world champion and father to a nameless son exploded the very idea of possibility, nine years ago, when he released footage of his Surf Ranch wave pool up Lemoore way. Sure, there had been tanks before, Wavegardens even that looked playful and fun but Slater’s tub oooooeee. That was something else and the rush was on. Though his plow technology was slow to find a home, the second Surf Ranch having just been built in Abu Dhabi, others built Waco Surfs and Palm Springs Surf Clubs, URBNSURFs and Rusty Plungers.
And now, for the first time in recorded history, Newport Beach, California’s city council has approved a study to explore dropping a water world right next-ish to The Wedge.
Introducing Surf Farm.
The group Back Bay Barrels LLC is paying the the $277,000 to study the impact a wave pool would bring to an area currently being used as a golf course in the upper Newport Bay preserve.
According to the Orange County Register:
Councilmember Erik Weigand said at the recent council meeting there has been misinformation in the community and the action the city was taking was not to approve the project, but rather a step in the process that will include not just environmental review, but also public input at community meetings and discussions both at the Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
Still, impossible to tamp down excitement. The proposal includes a large lagoon with seating around, cabanas etc. and three “warming pools” plus a building that would have a “surf-related” retail store. A smaller building is also in the plan which would have “overnight rooms” for athletes.
More questions than answers, of course, and it all still has to get approved, but how do you think the facility will impact Newport Beach’s surf culture?
Here’s a reminder of what it, currently is.
Brilliant! I just want you to let my vagina know that this was my per my express wish.
the bail bondsman or the Disney character?
That sucks. that golf course was the only golf course that ever allowed me to play golf, barefoot.
Back Bay Newport definitely a gem of a location.
I used to play Poipu barefoot
Did you beat Means?
Never played Means, but heard he was a great golfer.
He had his own crew that he played with; Kuta, Big Jeff, McGraw, E, etc. The old NB gang.
I didn’t start playing golf until after I moved from the animal house.
I was actually really into smashing tennis on waveless days, when living on 28th.
Dude.
I played Tennis in college and split time playing 28th st and 56th st courts.
for a few years, I had a house on the beach, 5803 Seashore, right across for those courts.
My landlord lived on the beachside of the house, I had the Seashore facing side. very nice three story place with a killer rooftop deck.
landlord was a former “frogman” in the navy (VN days before they were seals). very cool cat.
He and I played tennis all the time at those courts. guy was an absolute brute in tennis for an old guy. wouldn’t be surprised if you played him. lot of good pick-up games there.
No fucking way, played that dude too.
I lived on Lugonia at that time, steps from anotnucci’s and Bob shitty twin fin Hurley.
Which table was yours at Cappy’s?
Too funny, you played Mike.
he would go casually hit balls against the wall like an old dude, and wait for people to show up, ask if he could join em’, ……..and lay waste to them.
I always liked Antonuccis. when I first moved to NB I lived on the corner of orange and seashore, so Antonucci’s was my takeaway place. there was a good like Burger place there also, that made Greta fish sandwich, but not as good as Scotty’s.
Didn’t hang at Cappys’ alot especially after I dated one of the waitresses there and…then didn’t. she worked there a long time, so I didn’t like the stink eyeeverytime I walked in and and thoughts of spit in my food.
There was another spot across PCH from Cappy’s which was pretty good as well.
Do you remember that greasy spoon on 29th, like kind of behind El Ranchito. you had to enter through the parking lot. They had breakfast called “scrabble”. Place had some very good breakfast, one of Means faves cuz they made a great 9am Bloody Mary.
My ghetto spot was definitely Snug for breakfast. I never day drank, but they had a full bar.
Pretty sure that’s what you’re talking about. Small, dingy cafe on the parking lot side of the bar. Ham and eggs. Fuck yeah.
Gone today, mowed it to build lofts. All the iconic places are gone, cept Ho Sum. Did spend some time at Malarkey’s. And Georges Camelot on the harbor, there were a crew of women that worked the night charter boats that would drink there….. oh man.
Then Thursdays was Blue Beat night for Swordfish.
You’re bringing back memories locked in a vault in my head.
Remember the 2 sisters that worked the desk at Antonucci’s? One more delish than the next? I had so much fun with them.
Susan at Cappy’s….
When I met the mrs Hip, we had breakfast there and Rodman walks in with Navarro and Electra. Dennis shakes my hand, his restaurant was very fun and Mrs H is spell bound by Electra’s beauty.
She had no idea who Dave was!!!!
“How do you know Dennis?” She lived in Chicago before meeting me and all her friends were blown away that DR said hello. All Bulls fans. And Dennis used my nick name too. Too much.
Fuck HC, fuck.
Were you there for the Cuckoo’s Nest?
That was as wild as the Masque
wow, bygone days but really good bygone days.
nothing beat OC in the 80’s.
Snug Harbor is correct. Thanks. remember the cook & bartender there? classic. I can still see that big griddle. Was malarkey the one with the pool tables? I used to shoot pool basically every rainy day, there.
My good friend worked at Blue Beat so we were there every Thursday. Killer artichokes.
Yep, those antonucci girls were cute, but so funny because the owner would always be watching the young surfers flirting and have a wry smile on his face. like “yep, good luck, boy”
Don’t remember the name of the Cappy’s babe, just remember she was tall, had great legs and got really used with me when she saw me out with that bond that worked at El Ranchitio.
Mostly I would hang at Woodys Wharf
Lot’s of smoking’ hotties in that place. Never left alone.
Josh Slokums that my buddy owned, or Warehouse where I worked for a few months when I first settled in Newport. My roomie was the GM, so I never paid for anything there. There were also some very pretty waitresses there.
Newport in the 80’s was chick city, and they all wanted to have fun.
Newport-a-Go Go
thought you’d find this Friday funny https://x.com/TheKevinDalton/status/1834727297959837815
That’s Funny.
only thing she said that is true, is her name
I’d cheers a Snuggy Mary with ya if we could.
RIP Snuggy Mary
Makes sense, there’s a ton of money in Newport and it’s a 5 hour drive to lovely Lemoore, one way.
Build them (overnight rooms)
and they will cum.
“The second-greatest ever surfer” ???
According to Com’s sources, this EIR is pro forma. The deal is already essentially done and the City is going to rubber stamp it.
Also, the business model isn’t going to be remotely affordable. They are going to sell memberships at outrageous, six figure prices. Rich folks only. No peasants allowed.
I’ve noticed your vagina friend hasn’t been replying much… guessing he was banned. Rightfully soo.
Yeah, but my vagina was pure comedy and I kind of miss her already. BG, free my vagina!
They’re trying to put “Rich folks only. No peasants allowed.” on all the city signage as we speak. Also there is possibly no denser collection of douche nozzles than the Newport Beach City Council.
Yet you choose to live in Newport Beach
The “ ghetto” was such a fun place to live
Aye…be a cleansing of your ethnic
lived in HB too…. 12 years.
lived there long enough it ain’t gonna kill ya….. unless you earned it
Good luck getting rich people to give up a golf course
Every rich person has a price
as I understand it, they aren’t completely doing away with the golf aspect of it under the plan. Still will be a driving range and at least a few holes.
This is the golf course directly underneath the takeoff for John Wayne. I don’t think rich people play there.
Executive course means duffer
It’s a shit hole pitch and putt. Kind of uneven terrain though. Can’t see a pool there.