Not exactly aloha vibes during the MLK Day protest at Lunada Bay. Photo: YouTube
The most famous surf spot that nearly no one has surfed — yes, the infamous Lunada Bay in Los Angeles County — will host yet another anti-localism event. This one, scheduled for Saturday, March 18, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., entitled “Freedom Day,” will be held in honor of armed services veterans, says organize Geoff Hagins.
Hagins says that recently people who he believes are responsible for for the nasty localism at the Palos Verdes righthander insulted his father, who was a Marine. “These guys on more than a few occasions have insulted U.S. vets. If they’ve messed with one veteran, that’s one too many for me,” says Hagins, a retired correctional officer.
On its Facebook page, the group Coastal Protection Rangers, describes the event as “A day to support and honor our military veterans. Bring your surfboards, body boards, canoes, SUPs and good attitudes. BROUGHT TO YOU BY GEOFF HAGINS in thanks for his good work in 1995 to challenge the illegal and many believe racist actions of the Bay Boys.”
Hagins says he first surfed Lunada Bay and other Palos Verdes waves in the late ’60s. On one of his early visits, locals pelted him with rocks from atop the cliffs, he says. “I’ve surfed all over the Gulf Coast, the East Coast, California, and Hawaii, and have never faced localism anywhere like Palos Verdes,” he says. Over the years, he’s watched the localism continue despite lawsuits, including some he’s been involved in, that took aim at the exclusionary culture.
The winter swells that turn Lunada Bay from a placid cove into a world-class righthand point break have all but subsided for this season. Hagins says the event will take place whether or not good surf shows up.
