The child, her hair bleached white from the ocean and her skin darkened by the sun, waddles on the hot, thick Hawaiian sand. Small waves lap against the shore. The sun illuminates the water and makes it evermore so clear. The little girl finally makes her way down the steep berm and into the water.… Read more

Growing up, I spent my days swimming, surfing, or playing at Del Mar beach—a short walk from my family’s house. At eight, I joined the Junior Lifeguards, and, at ten, I added beach camp counselor to my summer repertoire. At the camp, run by my Kindergarten teacher, I made games out of which camper could… Read more

I sit on an old plastic chair: my red bikini, red shorts, and dark blue polo stand out against the tired beige cinder block behind me. Face sunburnt, hair stiff from salt, my eyes scan the water. A young girl runs in a new-excited-puppy way up to 20th St. Lifeguard tower. She wears an orange… Read more

When I ski, the steeper the slope the better. When I surf, the bigger the wave the greater the thrill. When I scuba, the deeper I dive the bigger the kick, when I cliff jump, the higher I go superior the drop and when I sail I can never seem to go fast enough. Most… Read more

15th Street Del Mar California – Calm The waves break between the train signal just behind the green expanse of Powerhouse Park and the tallest palm 30 feet south. The waves max out at six feet. Never too steep or too mushy, always ride-able. The wind stays below 7 knts. The rip out front of… Read more