Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Matuli Paddle Surf Michigan
Lifeguard 4 Life has moved to MatuliPaddleSurf.com We will continue to write about Lifeguarding, surfing, the great lakes, stand up paddleboarding (SUP).
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
20 Years of the Quest
The Quest, started by Larry Moore, starts at the end of San Clemente Pier and ends at Balboa Pier. It took our group of 24 9 hours to complete the 26 miles of coastline.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Matuli Freshwater Surfing
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| Joe Matulis surfing Lake Michigan in Fall 2010 |
Joe Matulis got hooked on surfing while lifegaurding in Southern California, and moving back to Michigan for the school year wasn't going to stop him from fueling his new addiction.
"Waves are more common in Michigan then you might think," Joe said. "You just need to know where to look."
Joe's favorite place to surf back home is on the lake. Lake Michigan is surrounded by private beaches and secret surf breaks.
"The lake is best to surf in the fall. The water is warm and the wind brings in the best surf," Joe said.
The falling air temperature over the warm lake water makes a strong wind the blows across the lake to form waves. Most of the waves on Lake Michigan are 1 to 2 feet, but Joe has surfed it as big as 6 feet.
"When you surf Michigan, you aren't looking for the biggest waves, but for the cleanest. It's an adventure to find where to go. It takes a long time to learn all the breaks and what conditions make them good," he said.
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| Joe Matulis surfing Lake Michigan in the winter |
After years of exploring the Michigan coastline, Joe has finally gotten a good feeling for where the best surf is. The breaks are kept a secret within the surfing community to keep the crowds down. Once you prove yourself in the water, local surfers will to share their secrets.
The best waves might be in the fall, but winter storms can bring surfable waves from time to time. When they do, Joe is there. Not even the chunks of ice floating on the lakes surface stop him from getting in a surf session.
The spring showers might not bring waves on the lake, but it doesn't leave surfers stranded. The heavy rain combined with snow melt floods the Red Cedar River to make a secret spot. Right in the middle of Michigan State University, a few days a year, the river forms a standing wave against the rocks.
Joe learned about the standing wave by Pat Caldwell, a national champion body boarder.
"I didn't believe Pat at first but after looking at it [the river] every day before class I finally saw it!" Joe said.
Joe spent the next few days studying the wave before trying it out. The fast moving water and rocky bottom make the wave tricky and dangerous to surf. It would be easy to get wedged underwater against a rock and drown.
"One time my board purled and got caught against the rocks. I had to dive into the water and pull as hard as I could before it freed itself."
After studying the wave, Joe grabbed his board and became the first person ever to surf the Red Cedar River. People had kayaked and even body boarded the standing wave before, but never had anyone attempted to surf it.
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| Joe Matulis and Remi Hamel wake surfing |
When the wind is dead and the rainy season is over surf a boat wake. As long as the lake isn't frozen, a boat wake can make for a fun workable ride.
Keep checking the local surf because the season is coming up fast and if you see the Matuli paddling out you know you came to the right spot.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Great White off North Beach
During a whale watching trip out of Dana Point Harbor, the group got something a little extra. A mile off the coast at North Beach in San Clemente a 12-foot great white shark came up to the boat.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Lifeguard Taplin Relay (Preview)
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| City of San Clemente 2010 Taplin Relay Team |
Last summer the City of San Clemente team raced in the Taplin relay for the first time in years. Although we didn't finish first, we finished with pride. Excited with out first completed Taplin under our belt, we are now ready to come back strong and give the other teams a run for their money. This isn't our first rodeo anymore.
The Lifeguard Taplin relay is the most prestigious lifeguard event in Southern California. Named after Judge Irving Taplin, a former Municipal Court Judge in L.A. County, the Taplin relay was started in 1936. It has run every year since with the exception of 1942 to 1945 when the race was suspended due to World War II.
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| Judge Irving Taplin Medley Relay Throphy Bell |
Come to the Hermosa Beach Pier at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 to watch the most competitive race in Southern California, and see who will be taking home the bell. Make sure to come early, the stadium seating fills up fast.
Untitled from MatuliSurfboards on Vimeo.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
S.C. King and Queen of the Beach Race Series
Lifeguard4Life will be holding its second beach race held in San Clemente.
The next race, 5k beach run, starts this Wednesday, July, 6th, 2011 at 7p.m. starting at City lifeguard tower 3 (just south of the San Clemente Pier)
The next race, 5k beach run, starts this Wednesday, July, 6th, 2011 at 7p.m. starting at City lifeguard tower 3 (just south of the San Clemente Pier)
This is the first race in the Wednesday night series. Other races will involve water elements. Think Ocean Festival events.
The event is free and open to anyone with a little competitive spirit.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Update: San Clemente Dory Boat Destroyed
On June 14th the San Clemente City Surf Lifesavings Association’s dory boat was found destroyed. With out delay, the National Doryman's Association donated a used boat in need of some work. Some City lifeguards have been spending their off duty time working to get the new boat in ship shape.
Monday, June 27, 2011
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