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August 13, 2008
18281 views | 41 comments
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Chances are if you surf Trestles often, you know Steve Long.
He's been Supervising Lifeguard for the San Clemente State Park since 1978 (he started lifeguarding in Huntington in 1974) before taking on the role of Visitor Services Superintendent for San Clemente, Doheny and San Onofre State Beaches in 2004.
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WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF THE OCEAN? At age four or five my mom and Godmother would take me to the beach at Monterey Bay, and I can remember just wanting to be in the water. My dad was stationed overseas in Okinawa when I was one or two and my parents said they couldn't keep me out of the water. I guess you can say I was drawn to it. HOW HAVE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BEACHES CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? There are more people and recreational water activities have expanded. When I started surfing in the sixties we had heavy longboards. Today there are so many variations on how to play in and around the surf that it becomes a challenge to manage these sometimes conflicting recreational needs. There are more crowded days on every beach and in every line-up, but the surf is the one thing that hasn't changed and there are still those magic days to be had. WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB IS MOST REWARDING? Interacting with people. I've been blessed to work in an environment where people come to recreate, and most often I got to be the smiling face that represented their State Parks, and hopefully contributed to their enjoyable experience. The lifesaving aspect of my job has been incredibly rewarding. I have worked with selfless individuals who willingly risked their life for their fellow man in life threatening situations. Without fanfare, the lifeguards have a daily impact that truly touches the destiny of those they rescue. I have been honored to work among so many heroes. "Governor Schwarzenegger, I would like to offer you another tour of San Onofre. I was instructed not to attempt to speak with you when you first visited, and I believe another tour without all of the entourage of influence peddlers might help you see that alternatives do exist that do not destroy our sacred parklands and experience."
-- Retired State Park Superintendent, Steve Long
HOW HAS TRESTLES CHANGED? When I arrived here, the center of the point at Lowers was approximately 100 yards further north. '81 and '83 were extreme storm years -- very rough and powerful storms, really close with lots of rainfall blowing the creek out. Those massive swells pushed the cobblestones at Lowers to the south and forced them into more of an apex and a defined two-way peak. You can look at aerial photos over the years and observe the gradual shift. Otherwise, the surf at all of the zones within the mile and a half we collectively refer to as Trestles is much the same as it has been historically. The level of performance has obviously changed over the years and the crowd factors have increased but the natural environment and quality surf remains constant. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES TRESTLES SUCH A MECCA FOR SURFERS? I call it the Trestles experience. You leave civilization and hike through a natural park setting that is relatively unchanged from the time the first humans made their home in this valley. The surf is the most consistent and often most glassy in all of Southern California. The cobblestone bottom creates consistent lineups and well-shaped waves. The water is clean. Hiking in and out is the great equalizer. Even with crowd pressure, the overall experience gives people respite from their daily routine -- knowing they have been to a magic zone. DO YOU REMEMBER THE BEST SWELL EVER? I've had too many best swells ever. I've seen Trails flawless 8-10 ft A-frames and no one in sight in either direction. I've seen countless epic swells at Lowers, Uppers and Cottons. It's a wave rich zone and, heck, I've seen epic swells when it was only two feet. So the magic still happens, you just have to find you magic and not stress about the fact that someone else is out there finding their own magic. WHO WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SURFERS AT LOWERS OVER THE YEARS? Well, I'd have to say the Long brothers were pretty good [laughs]. I've got to see everybody. I got to see Kelly when he won that event when he was only 18 years old and everyone knew we were watching surfing history and the whole talent level was being elevated. Christian [Fletcher] was very entertaining, throwing huge airs and his younger brother [Nathan] too. You know the Beschens and all the local surfers. There was a hell of a lot of lifeguards who were good surfers too. NOW THAT YOU'RE RETIRED, WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON THE PROPOSED 241-TOLL ROAD EXTENSION? My stance is that we still have time for rational, contemporary, intellectual dialogue. The decision and design to build what was proposed has not been vetted clearly to the community. So, my stance is that we need to take a timeout and allow the public to understand what the alternatives might be. And is there a better solution that can meet the needs of society and economy and infrastructure versus damaging our parklands and experience? Perhaps the alternatives could include design improvements on Cristianitos Road -- expanding it to a four-lane arterial at the existing grade. Most people are unaware that Cristianitos goes all the way to the Ortega Highway. Yes, the Department of the Navy would concur. I also support the concept of linking the 241 to the 73-toll road at Avery instead of bringing it all the way to the coast. Interstate 5 through San Clemente will need widening even if they completed the 241. Caltrans has always intended to do so and owns the majority of the right-of-way already. Northbound traffic coming into San Clemente on Interstate 5 needs to be slowed down to 55 mph starting at Basilone with a strict 55 mph zone all the way to Dana Point. These are ideas that need evaluation in present time. The TCA is not about alternatives however, so these ideas most likely would require them to change their charter to become an agency that is truly interested in workable regional transportation solutions that we can all live with, without destroying an experience and place that cannot be mitigated or replaced. TELL US ABOUT THE SAN ONOFRE FOUNDATION. The San Onofre Foundation is a non-profit organization that exists to assist California State Parks in providing quality education and interpretation outreach at San Onofre and San Clemente State Beaches. This non-profit will raise funds that will help create educational panels that will be placed at appropriate locations throughout the parks, telling the many stories of this unique coastal zone. It will also help raise funds to design and build a safe railroad crossing near Lower Trestles, protecting the park visitors and natural preserve at the same time. The Foundation will help State Parks develop a sustainable vision for the future of these two treasured parks, representing the many viewpoints of all of the stakeholders. San Onofre is the fifth most popular park in California and the San Onofre Foundation will become the vehicle for those who wish to return some love to their parklands. The Foundation is now up and running and will soon begin its outreach to the community. Though I have retired from State Parks, I intend to be a spokesperson and advisor to this organization for years to come. WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO NOW THAT YOU'RE RETIRED? The day after I retired I signed up as a volunteer with State Parks with the specific task of continuing outreach to those who want to have a voice in the future of their parks at San Onofre and San Clemente. I've been blessed through the experience I had lifeguarding, protecting and caring for these sacred places and I hope to continue that relationship in a new capacity. I have to say, I am also looking forward to being able to speak freely as a passionate advocate for parks. It's been tough keeping my mouth closed while I was a State official. Governor Schwarzenegger, I would like to offer you another tour of San Onofre. I was instructed not to attempt to speak with you when you first visited, and I believe another tour without all of the entourage of influence peddlers might help you see that alternatives do exist that do not destroy our sacred parklands and experience. Beyond staying connected to the Parks and working with those who are building the San Onofre Foundation, I plan on splitting time between Southern California, our home in Oregon, sitting in the channel watching Rusty and Greg riding monsters around the globe, traveling with my wife Jan, becoming a grandpa this fall thanks to my daughter Heather, and playing piano in Honkytonks. And yes, I plan on surfing a whole lot more! For more from Long and the Trestles toll road situation, pick up the new copy of WATER Magazine, on sale in early September. Also, be sure to check Surfline in early September for exclusive, in-depth coverage of the Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Trestles. SURFLINE HOME PAGE MORE SURF NEWS |
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Comments: (41) Add Your Comment
DD 08/27/2008 11:23 PM
Steve - What a privilage to have worked with you. Here's to finding the magic. Enjoy your retiremnet. State Lifeguards for life!
Alex 08/18/2008 02:04 PM
Once again the Long family never ceases to amaze me
King Herbo 08/16/2008 07:29 PM
Everyone loves Steve.
Bill J 08/16/2008 04:52 PM
Yeah, I met Steve as a Huntington State Lifeguard. He is very cool and does a great job at what he does/did. Keep up the great work, Steve. We'll see you in the lineup!
marco 08/16/2008 09:17 AM
Off and on,we've seen your face over the last 25 yrs. Nothing but good things too say. Good luck.
MB 08/15/2008 03:03 PM
Thanks for your service and great interview. Also, thanks for the explanation about how Lowers changed. I have been telling people for decades that Lowers never had such a great left in the 60's and 70's, but I never really knew why.
brirags 08/15/2008 12:46 PM
I've had the honor to surf at Trestles and experience it's beauty for over 30 years. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Steve Long, I feel compelled to say thank you for watching over what continues to be one of the worlds coastal wonders. Oh, and if your old job hasn't been filled, I'll be happy to take it off your hands. It's the least I can offer.
lance nemier 08/15/2008 10:28 AM
It is encouraging to know that we have someone like Mr. Long as a spokesperson representing our intrests. Perhaps a compromise solution such as the chritianitos connection is the answer. I want to thank
Mr Long for his intelligent and balanced view and a
rational representation of our cause.
Susan Uroda 08/15/2008 08:19 AM
I not only worked with the Long boys, but had a great oppurtunity to work with Steve in years past. He helped us make our all girl surf events something to remember. He's a great man in todays time!
SC Lifeguard 08/15/2008 08:12 AM
State LIfeguards for life, once a lifeguard always a lifeguard!
Hoppo 08/15/2008 07:47 AM
Steve ... Dave Graham would be proud. Keep up the good work.
jake 08/15/2008 01:31 AM
run the 241 to 5 connector through Camp Pendleton. avoid the trestles area all together...win win.
San Onofre Firefighter 08/15/2008 01:20 AM
Reading all these comments brings a lot of smiles to everybody (I'm sure). Mad respects & love to you Mr. Long!
BM
bureaucrat 08/14/2008 08:36 PM
classic...he has to quit to have his point of view be heard...been there done that...keep fighting the good fight...CA has so few people left like you who have served their communities and will still fight for what's right.
b butler 08/14/2008 08:14 PM
View All Comments (41 comments)
Arnold don't surf !
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