Construction by Malibu homeowners stirs up anger over public beach access - latimes.com

Quote in LA Times re: access issue at Broad Beach:

"At high tide, the beach is now completely gone," said Nancy Hastings, Southern California field coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation. "The stairs lead you down into nowhere."

Construction by Malibu homeowners stirs up anger over public beach access - latimes.com

October 9, 2010 - Save The Waves: Malibu Dedication

On October 9, 2010, Surfrider Beach in Malibu received the first official "World Surfing Reserve" dedication from the Save The Waves Coalition.   The morning began with a traditional Chumash blessing, followed by a surfer paddle-out where participants join hands and share comments about the special occasion.   A handful of surfers went surfing afterwards. 

My friend and fellow activist Marilee Sweeney and I were captured holding hands during the paddle out by LA Times Photographer Christina House for the Times:

An ocean bond - (Christina House / For The Times / October 9, 2010)
Surfers join hands in a circle at Surfrider Beach.  The legendary Malibu break was
chosen from a list of hundreds submitted by surfing federations worldwide. 

The LA Times photo gallery can be viewed here.

You can see footage of me at the very end of this video (4:17 exactly) riding a small wave.    Later in the morning, the Save The Waves Coalition held a formal press conference.


Save the Waves: Malibu Dedication from Cole Smothers on Vimeo.

September 18, 2008 - Downes Family Singes - "Just in Time"

September 18, 2008 - Downes Family Singers - "The Water Is Wide"

September 18, 2008 - Downes Family Singers - "Now Is The Month of Maying"

Performed live at the 50th Wedding Anniversary for Russell and Marilyn Downes (my parents):