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UCSB Surf Team Gearing Up

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Our latest Edhat column is about the those first few swells we had to open up October. Water is still warm enough to trunk on a longboard but what started out as a great opening salvo of swells led to reality that the North Pacific isn't quite churning 'em out like big sunglasses yet.

UCSB Sur f Team
The UCSB Surf Team is gearing up to defend their title in the first event this weekend at Blacks Beach in San Diego. This from the NSSA preview:

UC Santa Barbara owns a glittering resume with 11 National Championships and raised the bar in 2007-08 sweeping the Conference, State and National titles. The top ranked Gauchos opened up with a victory over Cal State San Marcos at Blacks last year and are hopeful for a repeat performance.

Coming off a tremendous year, UC Santa Barbara captain Joe Riggio is cautiously optimistic about his team’s prospects for the upcoming season. “Another title is what we are aiming for, however every year is different,” Riggio said. “Every team is going to be looking for a strong start. Graduation did take some of our top guys but we just picked up some fresh talent and are looking forward to competing.” Gaucho co-captain Matt Shulman added, “After winning three of four conference contests, the State Championship, and our 11th National Title, it will be hard to duplicate that level of success. Regardless, we are coming out with guns slinging.”

UC Santa Barbara’s recent successes at Blacks along with a strong Women’s lineup are another reason for high expectations. “We won the past two out of three events at Blacks,” Riggio said. “It is the best location on the conference schedule and we feel really comfortable competing there. We are also fortunate to have sophomores Lipoa (Kahaleuahi) and Lily (Howard), who were both Nationals’ finalists, returning to our squad.”

One Track Mind
Patagonia is premiering One Track Mind tonight in Ventura. Surf film, free raffle prizes, live music and you can bro out with Matt Costa (performing), Tom Curren, Kelly Slater and all three Malloy brothers (with beared-veggie-powered-antarctic-explorer look).

Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:00 PM

Patagonia Headquarters
259 W. Santa Clara, Ventura, CA
Upper parking lot, corner of Main and Olive Streets
Admission is FREE

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Santa Barbara Surfing. Created by Tim Maddux. Continued by Pope.