By Lance Schmidt Ocean Park
With respect to the Horizons West Surf Shop controversy (“Defenders of Dogtown digging in,” Jan. 30, page 1), a few observations: I grew up in surf towns across California. I loved my spots. I loved my surf shops and all that it entailed. I loved Mitch’s surf shop in La Jolla, old Ned’s in Santa Cruz and even that shaky character in the “Boo” that used to peddle balsa boards on PCH. I know and am friends with many former surf legends, both local and otherwise.
I loved the taco stands and liquor stores across the California coast that would nourish us and sell us Sex Wax before the next lineup. Sacred to me were many of these now-lost icons of the surf culture. I guarded them with sometimes veracious “locals only” challenges. I still have my bumper sticker that reads: “Tourists Go Home, but Leave Your Daughters” on the back of my brother’s 1941 Ford Woody. I still miss those empty skate pools we used to ride when the surf was down. Yes, I miss all of these things. However, I also understand that when progress takes its aim we must sometimes, reluctantly adjust.
I do not know how much of this current battle over Horizons is hyperbole and how much of this structure is truly historic. I did speak with some folks across the board in this area of expertise and they are skeptical, but are willing to see it play out if it is reviewed by competent and knowledgeable persons without an agenda.
Like “locals only” surf spots precluding outsiders, everyone wants to have their little piece of turf, but does everybody have a right to that claim?
While it may well be that Horizons has a legitimate claim as an appropriate landmark of the Southern California surf/skate scene, please consider that if every skate grommet, surf Goab or Kook would claim sanctity in their area with respect to “being an icon,” all in the name of preservation... well, you know what would happen.
Let the emotions of the day settle down on this, re-evaluate and revisit the situation. But please, do not be taken for a Kook for Kook’s sake.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 1, 2007. Read the original PDF.