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14/2/2007

Groundswell Society Conference
BY GLENN HENING, CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

The 6th Annual Surfing Arts, Science and Issues Conference
“Surfing Dynamics: New Surfboards, New Surf Spots, and a New Spirit”


February 17th and 18th, 2007
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California
Sumner Auditorium 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday - Scripps Pier 8 am to noon on Sunday
Map to Scripps / Sumner Auditorium

SASIC VI presents a version of modern surfing based on new materials, new surf spots, and a new spirit in the surfing community. This two-day event is for surfers who refuse to be blinded by the relentless commerce and competition that often limit surfing’s promise and creativity. Attendees and speakers will represent a spectrum of surfers, including innovative engineers, adventurous dreamers, standout wave riders, and legendary leaders of modern surfing who all have one thing in common: a lifestyle that thrives on the energy of imagination that fuels an inner rebel continually refreshed and inspired by the spirit of free surfing.

SATURDAY

The Hydrodynamica Project – A presentation about the surfing quest exploring the legacy of Bob Simmons and other innovators, including planing hulls and twin fins from the past, and on to the present and future.

Homeblown Foam – Someday surfboards will be bio-based and bio-degradable – and they’ll be stronger and faster than ever. This session will cover a new initiative that is turning out to be a good start towards a true eco-board.

Third World Surfboards – A perspective on today’s surfboard industry from the offshore factories to the homegrown garages. Presenters will include Jason Kline, Cal Poly engineer and surfboard craftsman.

What Makes a Perfect Wave – This session will be presented by Bruce McFarland of American Wave Machines and will include an in-depth look at a variety of wave-making designs.

Fins: Facts and Fiction – A panel discussion on what works, what sells, and what’s next will follow a presentation by Bob “The Greek” Bolen, inventor of the unique “Turbo Tunnel” design.

Paddling the California Coast – An ambitious plan to paddle from Oregon to Mexico to call attention to surf zone environmental issues. Tim Kessler will present his “Coastal Dreams” project scheduled to launch this year.

Special showing of “Waves Across the Pacific,” the 1963 documentary on Dr. Walter Munk’s pioneering work at Scripps concerning Antarctic storms and “Southern Hemi” groundswells, to be followed by a brief ceremony honoring Dr. Munk. The conference will conclude on Saturday with a session presented by Glenn Hening, 2006 Regents Lecturer at UCSB on “Modern Surfing: Is it a Business, a Contact Sport, or a Religion?”

SUNDAY

Wave-Testing ; the energy will shift to the beach with a morning of wave-testing a variety of surfboard and fin designs from the past, present and future, including Simmons-inspired designs, boards built from a variety of timeless materials as well as innovative new technologies, along with a broad selection of fin systems.


Registration is $45 – includes a parking permit and a box lunch for the first 75 attendees. Students and seniors get in for free, but park and lunch on your own. Seating is limited. This event is gonna be almost as bitchen as a good swell – and although it won’t be on the WAM map, you’ll be glad you saved the date.

For Addition Information
Groundswell Society
805-382-0657  g.hening@rain.org


Schedule Details

Saturday’s schedule (subject to change)
9 a.m.      The Hydrodynamica Project 
10 a.m.     Homeblown Foam 
11 a.m.    Third World Surfboards 
1 p.m.      What Makes a Perfect Wave 
2 p.m.      Fins: Facts and Fiction 
3 p.m.      Paddling the California Coast 
4 p.m. the event committee has planned a very special session that will include a showing of “Waves Across the Pacific”, the extraordinary 1963 documentary film about Dr. Walter Munk’s pioneering work at Scripps concerning Antarctic storms and “Southern Hemi” groundswells. Dr. Munk is widely considered to be the father of surf reports for his research before and during World War II on the power of storms and the origins of waves. He is one of the Institution’s living legends and has graciously accepted our invitation to be with us on Saturday afternoon.

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