"Vector Control are working closely to respond quickly to prevent mosquitoes from spreading the illness in this area."

Now, any surfer worth her salt is very familiar with dengue fever. The mosquito-borne virus is extremely common in those exotic tropical locales that feature desirable waves and the aforementioned adventuring wave sliders are tangentially aware of the aches and pains, high fever and rash associated with the nasty little bug. Even the surfer who prefers cold waters and cold weathers is at least aware of dengue as it was first fingered being the cause of Andy Irons’ untimely death.

Well, San Diego surfers are currently in a state of wide-eyed panic as the first-ever locally acquired dengue case has just been reported in an area more known for India Pale Ales and fussy street tacos.

The county is reporting that a resident of Escondido became bitten by a mosquito and developed the dengue while not traveling to an exotic tropical locale.

Dr. Ankita Kadakia, County interim public health officer, attempted to tamp down fear by declaring, “While the risk of widespread transmission of dengue remains low in San Diego County, County Public Health and Vector Control are working closely to respond quickly to prevent mosquitoes from spreading the illness in this area.”

He then began spraying Escondido residents’ houses with toxic chemicals in order to kill the li’l biters for it is those pesky ankle swarmers that are most responsible for spreading the disease.

While there have not been waves in San Diego for months, now, any surfer who wishes to visit is being encouraged to go to Lower Trestles instead.

Over to you, now. What is the most exotic disease you’ve ever acquired? On a trip to Middle East, many years ago, I was graced with amoebic dysentery and forced to spend a week in a Jordanian hospital on heavy IV.

Those were the days.

Huntington Beach, allegedly, out.

The Olympics and its pomp and its circumstance is on its way to Los Angeles after a triumphant stand in Paris. I was there, if you recall, nibbling foie gras under that magnificent Tour Eiffel, watching various games of handball and Seine swimming though I did not get to witness the surfing bit as that was contested halfway around the world at The End of the Road. By all accounts, it was a dazzling show, though, with Teahupo’o flashing its glory for two days. Caroline Marks bringing home gold for the women. Kauli Vaast for the Frenchmen.

All but memories, now, with attention fully on the City of Angeles and the biggest question of all. Where will Olympic surfers surf?

Fernando Aguerre, chief of the International Surfing Association which acts as gatekeeper to the big show, has long declared that he will not have our heroes striving for medals in a wave tank, insisting it must be in the ocean. Thus, Huntington Beach and Lower Trestles emerged as early frontrunners. A hot hot rumor has floated right into my ear from an extremely well-placed source. It claims that Huntington has been dropped from consideration, not surprising do Surf City’s political radicalization, leaving Trestles and a stunning other potential frontrunner.

Palm Springs.

The desert town some 100 miles east of LA was mostly famous for its lush golf courses and Liberace soirees but is now famous for its Palm Springs Surf Club churning out gorgeous Tom Lochtefeld art. It had some technical issues, upon opening, and was shuttered for a time but is back now and cranking. Reports from those who have sampled nothing but ultra-positive.

The rumor, anyhow, suggests that powerful television interests could steamroll Aguerre over the desire to have surfing scheduled and not left to the whims of nature.

So?

Would you like to see Palm Springs crown ’28’s baubles or have you not had enough of Lowers yet?

More as the story develops.

"Known for their massive waves that can get as high as 60-feet. This is a bucket-list location for most surfers."

If there is one thing sports fans crave more than touchdowns or home runs, it is the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. The annual release features women in bikinis on beaches though those beaches change from year to year. Sometimes, say, Mexico is featured. Other times, the Bahamas are front and center. Very sexy but only marginally sexier than Sports Illustrated’s somewhat annual “The Ultimate Surf Spots for Beginners and Pros Alike” list.

“These are the 11 best locations for surfing in the United States with options that cater to both beginners and experienced riders,” the feature begins, sports fans salivating at home, hiding with computers in closets.

This year, we have Oahu’s North Shore, a fine surf spot and deserving of the top slot, followed by Malibu (California), South Padre Island (Texas), Montauk (New York), Outer Banks (North Carolina), Huntington Beach (California), Cocoa Beach (Florida), Yakutat (Alaska), Narragansett (Rhode Island), Otter Rock (Oregon) and Mavericks (California).

The giant surf spot just south of San Francisco has claimed the life of many heroes though, per the suggestion, beginners are invited to die as well.

“Known for their massive waves that can get as high as 60-feet,” author and guide Dylan Sanders writes. “This is a bucket-list location for most surfers.”

Sanders, who looks like this…

…also explained, “There was a movie made about them and the journey to being able to surf them.”

Over to you, now. As very likely somewhere between “beginner” and “pro” do you dream of Mavericks or is it purely an either/or wave?

Zuck would go.