I met Niko at Tower 10 for his interview and photo session.  He came up on crutches.  I’m getting ahead of myself though, let me start his story at the beginning.  Niko is a 27-years old local.  He was born in Encinitas, and except for 3 years in Hawaii, raised here in North County.  He comes from a family that [...]

Chris was born and raised in Encinitas.  His roots extend back to 1904 when his great grandfather arrived in the area.  He has been surfing Seaside for over 40 years.  He is known and well liked in the community here.  In fact, there are a few bona fide legends that still surf the Lot and Chris fits comfortably within [...]

“It’s so fun!!! When I’m on a wave I get to go fast and it’s like I’m flying through the water.”  That’s what Teddy told me when I asked her what it feels like to ride a wave.  She also said that she loves the connection it gives her with the ocean, which is wild [...]

As the saying goes: “Age is just a number”.  For Paul Robotta that number is 69.  Here are a few more of his numbers for you to consider.  He has been surfing for 57 years, and when the surf is up he rides 2 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. Paul grew up in San Diego County.  His [...]

“When you can play with your parents it breaks down some barriers that you don’t even know you needed to break down.”  (Taylor Steele) Taylor’s quote from his interview for the “In Focus” series immediately came to mind when I was given the news that Nadine, Aaron and sons Josh and Ethan would be the subjects of this [...]

Written and Photographed by Nicholas Paoni Victoria is a typical 15-year old; unless, of course, you count her amazing accomplishments riding her surfboard, which are anything but typical.  You see she is the reigning USA Surfing, Girls U16 National Champion.  She also shares the NSSA National Champion title with her awesome teammates on the San Dieguito Academy [...]

Written by Nicholas Paoni and Photographed by Nicholas Paoni and Scott Winer Confident.  If I had to select one word to describe Hudson McKee, the Rider of the Month for August, it would be confident.  That was apparent to me by the way he handled the interview, the way he charged out into the surf when it [...]

Written by Nicholas Paoni, Photographed by Nicholas Paoni and Bryan Johnson. It feels free.  Sometimes it’s fast.  When the waves are big it can be a little scary.  That’s how Shea Sherman, the Encinitas Board Riders Club, Rider of the month of July, describes what it’s like to ride the waves; and she should know.  [...]

Enduring traditions start with a signature event.  This one occurred in June at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Encinitas Boardriders, when they decided to start the tradition of honoring a club member as the “Rider of the Month”.  Leading off that tradition is Super Grom Dane Libby, Rider of the Month [...]