All About Newport Beach

Hurley US Open of Surfing 2010

The Hurley US Open of Surfing contest will conclude today. The men's finals are being held today in Huntington Beach right at the Huntington Beach Pier. The Hurley US Open is a great opportunity to view world class surfers.

Carissa Moore from Honolulu, Hawaii and is 17 years old, won the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-Star Women’s US Open of Surfing yesterday. Moore won the first place prize of $50,000. 

Other events today include the men’s final, and it really is an amazing event. The Hurley US Open was packed with spectators, and photographers to capture some of the events. Some of the other activities include BMX, and live music. Yesterday Weezer played to a crowd of approximately 50,000 people.  Throughout the day, there were crowds of up to 150,000 people. If you plan on attending, I would recommend getting there early to secure parking, or if you are local, ride your bike or walk.

This surf contest has been running for this past week, and the finals are being held this weekend. These are some photos I took yesterday from the Huntington Beach Pier.

Below are some photos of professional surfers at Huntington Beach.

The tents and spectator viewing area. There were lots of people who came to Huntington Beach to view not only this event, but the USLA National Lifeguard Championships which was being held right at Beach Boulevard and Coast Highway.

It really is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the California climate (the sun finally came out). Enjoy meeting some new friends, and if you enjoy taking photos this is an amazing event.

If I can answer any questions about this surf contest, or other events in the area of Huntington Beach or Newport Beach, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

USLA National Championships Held at Huntington State Beach

August 5-7, 2010

Professional Lifeguards from all over the country competed in the USLA National Championships this past weekend in Huntington State Beach. There were more than 1000 participants. Additionally, there were also Junior Lifeguards events as well.  The events included run-swim-runs, relays, surf swims, buoy swims, dory boat competitions and paddle boarding, it was a great event. These lifeguards are in incredible shape and it was a great competition. Below are photos of the swim final for the men.

The water temperature was in the range of 60 to 63 degrees which is pretty cold for this time of year. You would never know the temperature based on how these lifeguards ran into the water.  

 The USLA Lifeguard National Championships is a unique event and allows the participants to demonstrate their techniques for lifesaving, and their water safety.

This three-day competition was hosted this year by the Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Association (HSBLA) and was held at Huntington State Beach,  located at Beach Boulevard and Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. This event was held concurrently with the Hurley US Open in Huntington Beach, so there were many people out.

Another event is the Dory Surf Boat Race, and there are two lifeguards in each boat and they paddle through the waves, around buoys and paddle back in sometimes riding the surf in. There was also a women’s division.

The California State Lifeguards won this Dory boat race. The California State Lifeguards compete as a team for the entire state.

The USLA National Lifeguard Championships was a three day event from August 5-7, 2010, and there were many spectators, and sponsors as well. Next year it will be hosted in Cape May, New Jersey. So it is an opportunity for these very talented lifeguards to compete in different conditions. Each year it is held on different coast. Last year, the event was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

If you have any questions about Huntington State lifeguard try-outs, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

10th annual Huntington Beachcruiser Meet

The 10th annual Huntington Beachcruiser Meet (woody car show) is scheduled for today and tomorrow on Main Street in Huntington Beach. The time for the Huntington Beachcruiser Meet is from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.

These classic cars all lined up on Main Street and the pier, and they are restored beautifully. There are Oldsmobiles, Chevrolets, Porsche and I saw a VW Van. The one below is for sale for $55,000 if you are in the market!!

The weather is beautiful (about 80 degrees today) so go visit Huntington Beach in view these awesome automobiles. There are over 100 classic cars entered in this event, and it is free to the public.

Hope to see you out there on Main Street in Huntington Beach!

Gold’s Gym in Huntington Beach

Are You Looking for a Serious Gym? How about Gold’s Gym in  Huntington Beach!

Are you looking for a serious gym in Orange County? I highly recommend Gold’s Gym in Huntington Beach. Gold’s Gym is located just a short drive from Newport Beach located at Brookhurst and Adams. Gold's offers a great environment for an excellent work out. Gold’s Gym is located at:

Gold’s Gym Huntington Beach

8875 Adams Avenue

Huntington Beach, CA 92646

Phone: 714-378-4784

www.goldsgym.com

Gold’s Gym has a range of hours to accommodate the fitness schedule of each member. The hours are as follows:

Monday – Thursday: 5:00 am -12:00 am

Friday: 5:00 am -10:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm

Gold’s Gym offers a variety of different fitness training for all levels. Gold’s Gym has a variety of different cardio equipment including treadmills. These treadmills have an adapter to plug in your ipod so you can either watch your own music videos or listen to your music while working out. Something I really like about the treadmills is, in the event I forget to charge my ipod, I can charge it on the treadmill while working out at the same time. 

There are elliptical trainers, stationary bikes,  rowing machines, and stair climbers so there is every opportunity to change your work out. Gold’s Gym also offers Spinning classes which I highly recommend, and enjoy taking. See Ellen if you go, she is amazing! Ellen introduced me to Gold's Gym almost ten years ago.The spinning classes are fun, motivational, and offer a fantastic workout – can you say burn calories? Beginning spinners are always welcome, and all the spin instructors take the time with each person to make sure the bike is adjusted appropriately, and they understand the structure of the class. 

Gold’s gym has a variety of different fitness classes including Body Step and Body Pump. There are “Rowbics Classes” which is another great cardio workout on rowing machines. I try and add in some time on the rowing machine to change it up! It is definitely good for the mid-section!  There is also personal training if you decide you would like to work with a trainer.

I have been a member at Gold’s Gym for some time and I highly recommend it. Gold’s Gym is clean, the weights are re-racked, and both the members and staff are friendly. There are some very good choices for changing your work out. Gold’s Gym also does sell some apparel, and they also have a store located right in the gym for your nutritional supplements!

If I can answer any questions about Gold’s Gym in Huntington Beach, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Requal – A Chilly Day

The Huntington State Beach Lifeguard try outs were yesterday at lifeguard headquarters yesterday morning. The air temperature was 55 degrees, and the water was in the high 50’s. My daughter Heather Thomson participated in the requalification swim yesterday.  I enjoy watching and encouraging these candidates who braved some less than optimal conditions yesterday. Not only was the air and water cold, there was a strong current, and choppy conditions. One of the candidates said because of the chop, it was difficult to get a rhythym while swimming.

There were two events. The returning guards requalify with a 1000 yard swim which must be completed within 20 minutes. They swim out around the buoys, back to shore and run to the finish line. Below the returning guards are lining up for their requalification swim. 

Getting a good start. Running into the water for the swim! Some of the candidates wear wetsuits, however  some think that it is more restrictive to swim with a wetsuit.

The second swim is for the new applicants trying out for one of the few spots at one of Californa’s State beaches. Then the new candidates must also complete a run swim run. The Huntington State Lifeguards were very prepared with the lifeguard boat, guards on paddle boards, and the personal water craft was utilized as well.

Definitely one of the highlights was there were dolphins during the requalification swim. One of the applicants apparently touched one during his swim. It always inspires me when I see dolphins so close to shore. 

 Mike Silvestri, a trainer for the Huntington Beach State Lifeguards said that some agencies are not testing at all due to cut backs.

Running to the finish line, every tenth of each second counts as most of these candidates are trying to beat their time.

Overall, this was a very good event, with lots of successes and some who may try it another day. The Huntington State Beach Lifeguards run a very organized and safe event.

If I can answer any questions, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

Surf’s Up at Southern California Beaches

This week in the Newport Beach area has been glorious with warm weather and sunshine. Although the weather is supposed to change this weekend, we definitely enjoyed it while it lasted.

Last Sunday, on Valentine’s day, we took a bike ride to the Huntington Beach Pier to enjoy the beach climate and California sunshine and get some exercise at the same time. Huntington Beach is known as surf city.

This surfer below creating a fan while surfing a wave in Surf City. Looks like he is having a good time!

There were a lot of surfers out as there was a good swell on Sunday. The surfers surf right by the Huntington Beach pier, and it is a great opportunity to watch them and take some great photos. The pier was lined with observers.

Main Street in Huntington Beach was crowded with lots of people enjoying the weather and Valentines Day.

If you are looking for warm weather, you may want to consider the coastal communities in Orange County including Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, for a visit, or consider living here. If I can answer any questions about Newport Beach or Huntington Beach, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com

Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Try-Outs

begin on

March 6, 2010

The Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Try-Outs are beginning next month at March 7, 2010. For those of you who want to consider a position as a state lifeguard, this is your opportunity to try out for this event. The try outs will be held rain or shine, and despite the weather conditions, so make sure you are prepared!

The 2010 Ocean Testing Dates and Locations are as follows:

Huntington State Beach Saturday, March 6, 2010  – 9:00 am
Ventura (San Buenaventura) State Beach Sunday, March 7, 2010  – 9:00 am
Silver Strand State Beach Saturday, March 13, 2010  – 9:00 am
Rio Del Mar State Beach Saturday, March 13, 2010  – 9:00 am
South Carlsbad State Beach Sunday, March 14, 2010 – 9:00 am
Leo Carrillo State Park Saturday, March 20, 2010 – 9:00 am
Monterey State Beach Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9:00 am
San Clemente State Beach Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9:00 am
Refugio State Beach Sunday, March 28, 2010 - 9:00 am
Crystal Cove State Park Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 9:00 am

If you trying out for the Huntington State Beach Lifeguard program, make sure you show up at least 30 minutes before the event. The swim starts promptly at 9am, so I would recommend arriving no later than 8:30 am.You will want to bring something warm to put on after the swim, as the water is cool this time of year. Many swimmers do not wear wet suits as seen in the photo below. This photo was taken a couple of years ago.

The following is the description of events which must be passed in order to be considered for a State Lifeguard position.

• Pass a COMPETITIVE 1000 yard open water swim. Time limit of 20 minutes.
• Pass a COMPETITIVE [200 yard run - 400 yard swim - 200 yard run] event. Time limit of 10 minutes.

In addition to the physical events stated above, the candidates must also:

• Pass a qualification appraisal interview.

In order to be hired as a California State Lifeguard, the candidate must demonstrate successful completion of the above mentioned items and successfully compete the training as outlined below:

• Successful completion of the California State Park Lifeguard Training Program. (8 days)
•  Successful completion of work location Field Training Program.

If I can answer any questions about the Huntington State Beach Lifeguard  Try-Outs, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Originally posted at NewportBeachRealEstateCafe.com.

Run Surf City . . . . Run

The Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach is tomorrow February 7, 2010. The marathon begins at 6:30 am. I have driven by there and they are set up, and there are many participants registering for this event.

The participation for the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach is one of the largest ever, with over 20,000 participants. Other events include the half marathon, and a 5K run. There is also a children's run. You can go out and cheer on the participants in this run! Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, as it has been raining all day, however there are some blue skies in the distance over in Huntington Beach.

If you want to  spectate at the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, you can find the route information and street closure here. I suggest arriving early as there is a large turn out this year.

If I can answer any questions about this event, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949-280-0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

All photographs are taken and posted by Sharon Paxson, copyright© 2009.  All rights reserved. Photographs may not be copied, or reproduced without the express, written permission of Sharon Paxson, Realtor, Prudential California Realty, Newport Beach.  Contact Sharon Paxson for permission for use of photograph, and permission may be granted in writing.