Surfing Soapbox: A big freeze and bigger waves

Winter is almost here. It’s freezing. I can’t remember it ever being this cold. So cold in fact that there was a frost advisory in Laguna Beach — so much for global warming. My phone has been ringing at 6 a.m. with the latest surf reports. It’s looking like we should have plenty of swell the next couple of days with a strong possibility of more rain.

Speaking of waves, a big congratulations to San Clemente’s Greg Long for becoming the first Californian to win the Eddie Aikau Invitational.

Held at Waimea Bay, on the north shore of Oahu in solid 20- to 25-foot waves it was the first time for an invitee to best the former nine-time world champion Kelly Slater in what many are calling one of the best big wave contests off all time.

Next up is the world’s most prestigious event, the Pipeline Masters, which will be showcasing a world title showdown between 2007 world champion and ratings leader Mick Fanning against world tour No. 2 surfer Joel Parkinson, who incidentally won the World Cup of Surfing last week.

My money is on Fanning picking up his second world title, and I’m picking Slater to win the event, motivating him to come back next year to win a 10th world title.

Speaking of great events, I have to give a big thumbs up to the city of Laguna Beach for hosting a great Hospitality Night last week. Way to bring our community together for a great evening of fun and music. The kids loved the fake snow blower. Thanks again.

In more community news, a big thumbs out goes out to Zero Trash Laguna, which hosts a beach clean up the first Saturday of the month.

I couldn’t believe how many people I saw picking up trash at this month’s event. I saw people all the way out in the canyon picking up trash. Way to bring our community together and making it cool for all to participate.

Got to love this town.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com