So, I was reading the article on the Martin's Beach issue on Surfline. I completely understand everyone's anger, but how is this any different than the lack of access to the Hollister Ranch (a much bigger section of closed access coast with far better surf)? Has everyone just given up on that stretch of coast given the historical lack of access?

"Hey, that's my breakfast!! I eat baked beans every day. "

"Probably has to do with the fact that Hollister Ranch is / has been privately owned proper ..."

"I believe that's called a "Granfather Clause". Relatively new coastal access laws don't ap ..."

"I asked the same thing a while back. The entrance on the S end requires Hollister residen ..."

"The State Park road is only maintained by the state leading up to the gate at HR. That ..."

Feel free to caption, or just be glad this isn't you...

"I remember a Mexican shorepound that looked exactly like that. This English girl I was wi ..."

"Here's the before picture :-)"

"Cabo? (not so) Pacific side ? "

"Looks like it could be Pedregal beach in Cabo, or the the beach just north west of lovers, ..."

Cool book by a Saffa about his journey surfing through Indonesia. Great book to bring along for a trip to Indo. Review is here: http://thewatermanslibrary.com/Site/Island_Explorer.html

Hey all. A few posts down you'll find the review for The Plight of the Torpedo People. I mentioned that Ocean Beach's own Judith Sheridan wrote a great essay in the book. The good folks at Patagonia Books agreed to let me share it with you here. For those of you that don't know Judith, she is an eternal presence out at the Beach on any sized day, bodysurfing with her (typically) orange cap.

"Judith is a charger. I've seen her out on a really sketchy day where it was just me and h ..."

"LOVE it. "

"The healing powers of triple overhead Ocean Beach! Now that is a unique and positive take ..."

"By far the bravest person I know, whatever the element."

"Triple-overhead OB certainly will take your mind off your other problems. /stands. /appl ..."

This is the companion book to the Keith Malloy bodysurfing film Come Hell or High Water. The book is solid and there is an excellent essay from Ocean Beach's own Judith Sheridan (the woman who bodysurfs the huge ones with the orange cap on). Review is here: http://thewatermanslibrary.com/Site/Plight_of_the_Torpedo_People.html

Yes, I'm still on sabbatical, but I loved this book about a guy who builds a boat and then sails it down into Baja to surf. Great stuff and definitely worth a read. Review is here: http://thewatermanslibrary.com/Site/Voyage_of_the_Cormorant.html

Technically I'm not reading new books, but I had a preview copy of Tom Mahony's new book, Pacific Offering, about 6 months ago. It's a fun read, particularly if you're heading south of the border. Review is here: http://thewatermanslibrary.com/Site/Pacific_Offering.html

After about 4 years of writing book reviews for my site, The Waterman's Library, I'm in need of a break from surf books. So, for the next 12 months, I am inviting any guest reviewers interested in sharing reviews for surf-related books. Obviously, I'm not looking for reviews of books I've already read and reviewed, but I am interested in reviews of new material.

"FYI - I enjoy reading your reviews. Those are some big shoes to fill :) Cheers. "