He's the "wrong people" who "just don't make you feel so cozy."
Shock and dismay bubbling through North County, San Diego, this morning after local surf legend Rob Machado was targeted by an Encinitas councilmember in a vicious screed. Though officially from Cardiff-by-the-Sea, the handsome screwfoot put the region on the map as he rose to fame through the 90s. Machado competed on the Association of Surfing Professionals Championship Tour, winning twelve events and once placing number two in the world. He appeared in the culturally important Momentum films and also played in a band with Kelly Slater and Peter King. His age-defying handsomeness has only increased his relative value and now, at 51, he is arguably the second most beloved surfer on the planet behind Mick Fanning.
Well, none of the above stopped Encinitas councilmember Luke Shaffer from lighting right in. The business unfolded during a public city council meeting addressing the issue of un-housed people camping vehicle sleeping on streets. Some thought the rules against should be strengthened while others argued criminalizing poverty was unchill. Shaffer, who identifies as a surfer, turned it very personal, declaring that he didn’t want his son or daughter walking past “slightly rundown 19–something era vehicles containing the wrong people who don’t make you feel so cozy.”
Ouch.
Everyone knows that Rob Machado drives, and sometimes loiters, in a slightly rundown 19–something era van.
Describing him as “the wrong people who don’t make you feel so cozy,” however, a stunning dig that took some on the council aback.
Shaffer explained that he wasn’t trying to stereotype Rob but added that he was once a U.S. Marine and served overseas where it was important to profile people “pretty hard” for “obvious reasons.”
Double ouch.
David Lee Scales and I did not address during our weekly chat but did discuss Griffin Colapinto hard launching his new relationship at Disneyland.
Very cute.