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ROCK STARS INVADE HUNTINGTON BEACH
First annual Surfrider Foundation Celebrity Surf Jam goes off in HB
Palos Verdes pro surfer Alex Gray stared at the legions of Incubus fans who were pressing hard against the barriers to get closer to lead singer Brandon Boyd. "Let's face it," Alex observed, "They're all in love with musicians and rock stars. They didn't come here for the surfers." Turning away he caught sight of Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg being mobbed for autographs.
"That's it," Alex announced, "I just decided that for today, I'll be a rock star, so I can get me some of that love."
No doubt the majority of fans who showed up at first annual Surfrider Foundation Celebrity Surf Jam this past Sunday at the Huntington Beach Pier were there to show their love for the rock stars but that was the plan all along.
As event organizer, Vipe Desai, pointed out, "The idea is to get people here who might not be tuned into the problems of ocean pollution and related environmental issues. If it's Incubus who brings them here and they see how the band members are so into surfing and beach awareness, then hopefully they'll get the message and will become involved in helping to protect our oceans."
To kickoff the day, a hundred or so of the already-initiated participated in an early morning "Paddle Out" to the end of the pier, forming a "circle of solidarity" to show their dedication to the cause of keeping our coasts and oceans clean. This was part of a "National Paddle Out for Clean Water" that the Surfrider Foundation sponsored around the country on September 10th and 11th.
But as the group paddled back in together en masse, one couldn't help but notice that in most cases, basic surfing mentality took precedent over all other considerations as those who had just held hands moments before were now slugging it out for best position on the glassy four-foot waves.
Surfers will be surfers.
After that "The Game" was on. Using the National Surf League format developed by Brad Gerlach, celebrities, pro surfers and various Surfrider Foundation activists were divided up into Blue (coached by Garth Tarlow) and Grey (coached by Mike Parsons) teams in a "friendly" competition.
Besides Brandon Boyd and Jim Lindberg, "Celeb" surfers included Sugar Ray guitarist, Murphy Karges, former Porno for Pyros guitarist, Peter DiStefano, Good Charlotte Drummer, Dean Butterworth, Incubus guitarist Mike Einzinger and bassist Ben Kenney.
Joining Alex Gray from the pro ranks were Rob Machado, Timmy Curran, Brett Simpson, Pat O'Connell, Dane Reynolds and Timmy Reyes. Announcers Sal Masekela and Jesse "Life Rolls On" Billauer handled the wave-by-wave and score-by-score commentary as the Celeb surfers more than held their own in the water.
Though the fans may have shown up at Huntington just to catch a glimpse of their favorite rock stars, it was Tim Curran who took center stage as he launched one insane aerial after another, landing two helicopter 360's and just missing on the back flip.
Even the most hard-core Incubus fans were struck by Curran's performance. As one was overheard to comment, "I couldn't believe what that guy was doing out there. I didn't even watch Brandon the whole time!"
Alex Gray take heart, there's hope yet.
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Marc Rubel
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