By Roy Earnest

Ask any local surfer and they will tell you that this winter has been one for the record books as far as surfing goes.  For example: Maverick’s, the nearby world-class big wave surf spot a few miles south of Pacifica has seen more ridable days this season than in the past ten.  When the subject of surfing there comes up, however, most envision in their minds-eye male surfers careening down massive walls of water.  But in recent years, a small cadre of female surfers has begun to take their rightful place at Mav’s and have been turning heads with their amazing surfing skills.  They – and their male counterparts – all point to Sarah Gerhardt as the first woman to paddle out at Maverick’s and take the drop. 

The Pacifica Beach Coalition (PBC) in association with Recology of the Coast invite you to the 3rd annual benefit surf movie screening on Friday, March 26th at the Mildred Owen (formerly known as “Sanchez”) Concert Hall, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd. in Pacifica to see “One Winter Story”, a film by Sally Lundburg and Pacifican Elizabeth Pepin that documents Sarah Gerhardt’s inspiring journey that led up to the first of many sessions at Maverick’s.  Doors will open at 6:00 PM with two screenings at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM.  Sarah Gerhardt and Co-Producer/Director Elizabeth Pepin will be on hand after each screening to discuss the film with the audience.

“One Winter Story” is an unprecedented glimpse into the world of big-wave surfing from an unusual and seldom seen perspective - a woman’s.  This hour-long film is a personal documentary that follows Sarah as she surfs Maverick’s but it also shows that Sarah’s path to this legendary surf spot was anything but easy. Surfing became her escape from the hardships of home while faith became the guiding force in her life. Sarah is a genuine big-wave pioneer, the first woman to surf what is one of the largest waves in the world.  In the years she has been surfing the wave, Sarah has discovered that although she has many limitations, Maverick’s allows her to live as though she doesn’t have any, bringing her peace as she finds her place in the lineup, and in the world. Also featured in the film are big wave surfers Mike Gerhardt, Ken Bradshaw, and Jenny Useldinger.  “One Winter Story” will be of interest to both surfers and non-surfers alike because it has elements that everyone can relate to their own lives.  (i.e.  It’s not just a “surf movie.”)

It’s spring, and harbor seal pups are being born on Bay Area beaches and sand bars. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary advises beachgoers against interacting with seal pups they may find. Newborn seal pups could suffer permanent harm if they’re mistaken for orphans and accidentally separated from their mothers. Mother harbor seals will sometimes leave their pups on the beach while they forage at sea, and will return to reclaim and nurse their pups if left alone.

Each year healthy seal pups are separated from their mothers by people who mistake them for orphans. The Farallones sanctuary advises beachgoers to report suspected orphaned pups to a park ranger, or to call The Marine Mammal Center, 415-289-SEAL (7325). Seals are also federally protected animals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and to interfere with one could incur penalties. For information contact [email protected].

In Pacifica, as elsewhere along the 1,100 mile coast of California, cliffs crumble and beaches wash away and return.  Almost every year we are reminded that here along the San Mateo coastal erosion averages two feet a year.  But the process is not orderly, and dramatic events often occur during El Nino years like the one we have experienced this winter.  Again, we watched with horror and fascination, sympathy and disbelief the efforts to safeguard properties along Esplanade.

On Saturday, March 27, Pacificans and all Coastside residents are invited to THE FORUM at 2:00 PM at the Hilton library. This FORUM is about Coastal Erosion, the first in an educational series free to the public on various topics.

Opening the forum, USGS emeritus geologist Monty Hampton will present images of the coast documented in Pacifica and other local communities.  A coast resident and specialist in environmental marine geology, Hampton surveyed local coastal cliff retreat for many years as chief scientist for the United States Geological Survey.  He was also involved in preparedness workshops with other scientists and the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services prior to the 1998 El Nino.

The second part of the forum will highlight recent studies undertaken by Philip Williams and Associates, Ltd for the Pacific Institute. As an environmental hydrologist and civil engineer, Pacifican Bob Battalio will consider how our beaches and cliffs may be affected in the future by the same physical processes operating today.

Charles Lester, Coastal Commission Deputy Director, will also be on hand if other responsibilities permit.  The afternoon will close with questions and discussion moderated by BCDC’s Brenda Goeden.

Many coastal residents chose to live beside the ocean in order to regularly experience and admire its beauty and power.  That power has shaped and will continue to shape all our communities along the coast in varying ways.  Understanding and appreciating the forces that create the coast can better inform all of us about our future next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

THE FORUM is the creation of Sue Digre, Experienced, Credentialed California State Licensed Teacher, K through 9 and Adult Education.

2:00 PM, Saturday, March 27
Pacifica Library, 104 Hilton Way, downstairs room
Parking on the street during library hours

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s board of directors approved the purchase of a 340-acre property from the Peninsula Open Space Trust at public meeting in Half Moon Bay last night. 

The property, known as Lobitos Ridge, is adjacent to the District’s existing Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Half Moon Bay, and is an important link in the goal of connecting “Purisima to the Sea” by preserving a corridor of public open space and agricultural land from Skyline Ridge to the San Mateo County coast. The District purchased an adjacent 260-acre property from POST in June 2009, and an adjacent 450-acre property from the University of California in August 2009. The District hopes to add one final piece of land to complete this project in 2011.

The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District would like to invite you to the next Blue Circle meeting,

Geotourism in Coastal San Mateo County .

Geotourism is " best practice " tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, such as its culture , environment , heritage , and the well-being of its residents.

The Blue Circle is a community forum to share ideas, information, and resources for the goal of natural resource management, education, and stewardship .  No agenda, no minutes, no action items!  Check your guns at the door and enjoy the company of others who care deeply about the future of San Mateo County .  As always, the informal talk will be followed by a social featuring food, beer, wine, and a silent auction.

Topic : Geotourism in Coastal San Mateo County

When : Wednesday, March 24th , 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Where : Cypress Meadows
        343 Cypress Ave.
Moss Beach , CA 94038

Panelists :
Dee Harley- Harley Farms
Jered Lawson- Pie Ranch
Peter Grenell- San Mateo County Harbor District
Anne LeClaire- San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Charise McHugh- Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce

RSVP :  [email protected]

Please share this message with anyone you think might be interested in joining us on that day. 
We look forward to seeing you there- don’t forget to RSVP!

Directions and map to Cypress Meadows:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=343+Cypress+Ave.+Moss+Beach+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.013085,63.369141&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=37.522014,-122.512021&spn=0.015146,0.045018&om=1&iwloc=addr&f=d

It’s still too soon to say how the 2010 salmon season will turn out. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council is considering options ranging from entirely closed to "substantial" seasons

California and Central Oregon

In 2008 and 2009, poor Sacramento returns led to the largest fishery closure on record. While this year’s run should be better, the season options are still limited.  Last year about 122,000 fish were expected to spawn, but only about 39,000 actually returned.  Without any fishing, 245,000 fish are expected to return to the Sacramento River this year.  This year the Council will manage for a minimum conservation goal of 150,000 – 180,000 spawning adult salmon to provide more assurance of meeting the minimum goal of 122,000. 

Also in California, Klamath River Fall Chinook are forecast to meet the minimum natural spawning goal of 35,000, and the 2010 management objective of 40,700.

Coho returns are expected to be lower in 2010, and quotas for Oregon fisheries will be substantially less than in 2009.

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is holding a public meeting in Half Moon Bay on March 17 to consider purchasing a 340-acre property known as Lobitos Ridge from the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). Please help the District inform your readers about this meeting to be held:

March 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Coastside Fire Protection District
1191 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA. 94019

The property is adjacent to the District’s existing Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Half Moon Bay, and is an important link in the goal of connecting “Purisima to the Sea” by preserving a corridor of public open space and agricultural land from Skyline Ridge to the San Mateo County coast. The District purchased an adjacent 260-acre property from POST in June 2009, and an adjacent 450-acre property from the University of California in August 2009. The District hopes to add one final piece of land to complete this project in 2011.

“Lobitos Ridge is a key link connecting public lands together that provide all of us with scenic beauty, as well as vital necessities like clean water and locally produced food,” said District General Manager Steve Abbors.

The District is a public agency whose mission is to preserve open space and agricultural land, protect and restore the natural environment and provide for ecologically sensitive public recreation and education. If purchased by the District, Lobitos Ridge would continue to be grazed and farmed, and would remain closed until a public planning process looks at opportunities to balance public access with environmental preservation and agriculture.

UPDATE at 10:56: Forecast initial wave height in Half Moon Bay is 3.3 ft, shortly before forecast arrival in San Francisco at 1:26pm today.

A tsunami advisory (low-level warning) has been issued for the coastal areas along California. The tsunami is expected reach San Francisco at 1:26pm, and the San Mateo coast shortly before that.

Significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory.  Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is imminent or expected.   

Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.