No, I'm not talking about the post-Thanksgiving diets, or the pre-Christmas shopping binges. What I'm talking about is the only thing that matters to die-hard snow skiers and snowboarders.
It's a tradition that has been taking place for over six decades. Most consider it the official start of winter and ski-season. The Warren Miller ski movie.
This year's edition is called "Ticket to Ride" and it's screening at Newport Beach's Lido Theatre this Thursday night December 5th.
The show starts at 7:30PM.
If last year and previous years are any indication of what to expect, you'll need to get there early to avoid the line to get in!
I've been watching ski movies since I was a kid. Every year, I rarely miss the Warren Miller ski flick. If I do I feel just a little less motivated to get out on the slopes as fast as I can.
This week's screening in Newport is your only chance to catch the film on the big-screen in Orange County during the film's national tour this year.
If you're new to watching a Warren Miller ski movie, let me give you an idea of what to expect.
You're in for an night of fun. In addition to the movie, the screening takes on an "event" like atmosphere, that includes ski industry related prize giveaways, a riled up crowd of young, old and everything in-between snow seeking fans.
The crowd can usually barely sit still long enough for the lights of the theater to drop. Once they do, you'll see some of the best skiers and boarders on the planet travel to explore and ski the world's most amazing locations and descend slopes mere mortals only dream about.
I could continue to tell you all about what it feels like to attend and see a Warren Miller ski movie in person, but it's much better to show you. Here's a sneak peak:
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Movies are meant to inspire, make you think. or even on occasion you and the audience might just learn something new. A Warren Miller ski movie does all that and more. It's a winter feast for your eyes and ears.
It's one night of bringing the best of winter to the beach in Newport!
I grew up on boats here in
Newport Beach. Me and my two brothers even owned a Hobie-Cat for a few years when we were kids. So
happens it was the same color as a striking new boat making a splash at this weekends Newport Boat Show. The new boat is called the Helicat. The only thing the two boats have in common -- they are both twin-hull catamarans.
Me and my brothers moved up to
bigger and faster boats as we grew up. I wasn't exactly the most seaworthy of the group, but I still loved a day on the water, in the harbor, or off the Newport coastline. One brother made his love of the sea a lifestyle. He is now an avid deep-sea fisherman and boat captain.
Since those Newport days of youth I've sailed and motored on many different boats over the years. Here in Newport and elsewhere around the U.S and the world. Even logging a few nautical sailing miles in the Greek Islands long ago. Over the years I've seen a lot of different boats. Safe to say though, I've never seen one like this.
This weekend marks the 40th annual Newport Boat Show. It runs April 18th through the 21st down at Lido Marina Village. The show is one of
the largest in-water boat shows in the country. The dizzying array of sailboats,
yachts and other types of watercraft is endless.
The temporary docks installed just for the show spill out into Newport Harbor's turning basin just off Pacific Coast Hwy and Balboa Blvd. For as far as the eye can see it's a boating nirvana. It always grabs my attention every year.
Although the boats come in a lot of different shapes, sizes and prices, one boat in
particular this year will probably catch your eye. It did mine. That boat is the Helicat. The first time you see it you won’t
have any doubt about how it got its name.
The Helicat is a nautical 'hybrid' of sorts, a cross between a catamaran and a
helicopter. Yes, you heard that
right -- a helicopter! Now the boat
doesn’t fly or leave the water (for more than an instance jumping swells) but at first glance you might think it could or should take-off.
Sandy Williamson of Tacoma. Washington hears that a lot. He is the owner of the Helicat now floating in Newport Harbor. He made the trip down from his home in Washington to try and find potential buyers for his very unique boat. Williamson stopped at a Bay Area boat show in Oakland, CA before arriving in Newport this week.
I spoke with Williamson about his 22' foot Helicat at the Newport Dunes where he and his brother were putting the boat in the
water before making the short trip over to Lido Village for the show. I caught up with him later at the boat show site as well.
Williamson told me the Helicat in Newport this week is one of only two now in North America. The boat was originally designed and built in
Argentina he says. Since then the boat has been undergoing testing and Williamson has begun the process of trying to market and sell the boats. He says he's had a couple of pretty good offers so far.
If you're looking to stand out on the water here in Newport this might be the boat for you. That isn't an easy thing to do with mega-yachts, million-dollar sailboats and even water borne jetpacks flying around the harbor on any given day. Even so, this boat seems like the perfect
match for anyone who wants to catch people's eye as they head out to sea passing the Balboa Pavilion or flying along at full speed off the Balboa or Newport Piers. Even the 26-mile crossing to Catalina Island might draws a few curious onlookers at sea.
The current prototype model has a
top-speed of 40mph. A newer version will be even lighter and faster Williamson says.
According to promotional materials “The
HeliCat 22 is a high-performance two-person catamaran -- great for stable &
safe, fun, fast, economical and practical water travel, island transport,
fishing far away, or day charter/rental."
From what
I’ve seen of the Helicat so far it sure looks like it to me. If you need to ask that one nagging little question -- how much?, well according to Williamson it will set your wallet back just under $65,000. That's the boat show price. A trailer is included.
Last month I wrote about Griff Aimes for the Newport Beach Independent. Griff is a special kind of kid. Not only can he kick a football unlike most high schoolers I or you have ever seen, he has a special quality, a drive, a quest to achieve that really stands out from most people his age. His personal story gives you clues as to why that is so.
Since I penned my story about Griff he has gone on to break all-time county records with his kicking this season. But that doesn't tell you the whole story. Griff and his team are now in the CIF playoffs and open up their post-season tonight at Newport's Davidson Field at 7PM. Griff will be ready to go I'm sure.
Watch this video about Griff that tells his story in a 'new-media' kind
of way. I think you'll see what I mean. If you're a
football fan you'll probably recognize the music as well. I know Griff
does.
Yesterday afternoon Esther Lofgren, gold medalist at the London Olympic games returned to her hometown of Newport Beach to visit with family and friends.
It was Esther's first visit home since capturing the gold in the U.S. Women's 8-Crew boat with her teammates at the London Olympics.
Esther was met at John Wayne Airport by her mom, dad, brother and sister. They were all decked out in red, white and blue. It was clear they were glad to have Esther back home for a while here in Newport.
Some people at the airport also noticed Esther was not your typical traveler. That large shiny gold medal hanging around her neck was a dead give away!
Esther's smile could light up Southern California, as well as the rest of California. If this humid heatwave continues to sap our electric grid, we may need her help!
Congradulations Esther!, you inspire Newport kids and adults to do their best and dream big. Newport Beach is extremely proud. How do I know?, well back in London and here in Newport you did just that for my own daughter Sophia and my family.
Take a look at this special video I put together in a hurry to welcome Esther back to her hometown Newport Beach. It's a fast and furious attempt to express in pictures and words the kind of inspiration Esther is to her family and friends -- old and new!
Newport Beach's own Esther Lofgren, a 2003 graduate of Newport Harbor High School and longtime resident of Newport Beach has struck Olympic gold in London for the United States.
As a member of the U.S. Women's 8-crew she won gold in an exciting victory in London earlier today.
Last Sunday I decided to go see what was doing over at the Corona Del Mar High School pool. I'm a Newport Harbor High graduate myself and our schools have a never ending (but friendly) rivalry that has spanned decades. I've been out of high school for nearly 30 years, but any 'Tar' or 'Sea King' never forgets.
On this Sunday there was a compelling reason I would have to set aside my friendly aversion to CdMHS for the day. I'll fess up, I've even done it before. I somehow let my now 8-year old daughter Sophia learn to swim in East Bluff over at the 'Sea King' pool.
I was drawn to the CdMHS pool on this day to watch the U.S. Women's Olympic Water Polo team. The team was swinging through Newport Beach for its last tune-up exhibition match before heading off to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.
A few weeks earlier I had done the same when the U.S. Men's team came through Newport to play some matches against foreign rivals Hungary and Croatia at Newport Harbor High's pool. I wrote about that and a profile of John Mann, a local standout Olympic water polo player, also from CdMHS.
I've seen a lot of men's water polo games over the years. I grew up in Newport Beach and the sport is a big deal around here. Friends of mine growing up have played the sport. I never did. My official sport hours as a kid were spent mostly on dry-land, playing basketball and tennis or skiing. That is, other than spending the majority of my youth at some beach spot here in Newport, swimming and bodysurfing.
But to be honest, and I didn't realize it until last Sunday, I don't think in all my near 50 years on the planet, I have ever seen a women's water polo match! That was about to change.
On this Sunday I wasn't really there to see the U.S. women's team play. I was compelled to come see one particular U.S. player.
Her name is Tumua Anae.
Tumua is a local Newport Beach woman who graduated from Corona Del Mar High and went on to a stand out career at USC as a water polo goalie. Now she is one of only two goalies on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.
In my day-job as roving independent producer and journalist, I had written about Tumua for the local Newport Beach Independent newspaper here in town. Her story, simply put was that of a young girl from Hawaii who moved with her parents to Newport Beach when she was very young. The rest as I bet Tumua would say, was not only "history" but a lot of hard work and effort. Tumua also had a lot of friends and family who helped her along the way.
What also drew me to come see this wonder-kind in the water named Tumua, was my own daughter. Her name is Sophia. She is about to turn 9-years old this October. Sophia loves the water.
Like any good dad, I've been telling Sophia since the day I first laid eyes on her when she was born, that she could do anything or be anything she wanted in life. The only catch was that she would have to work hard and have a dream. I told her and still do that there was nothing that could keep her from achieving her dreams. Tumua has a dad too. I've never met him, but I'm sure just like me and Sophia, he told Tumua the same thing.
Sophia so far says she wants to be a writer and an illustrator, but she also has entertained scientist, animator and Disney-imagineer and in her younger days even astronaunt and firewoman! She still has plenty of time to figure it out. Tumua and her Dad I bet know the feeling.
When summer rolls around here in Newport, Sophia turns her attention to the pool and the beach. I'm sure just like Tumua always did. This summer is no different. Sophia is learning to swim and advancing in her technique and riding the waves at the beach. Tumua was a Newport Beach lifeguard. I don't know if Sophia will ever do that, but thankfully at least she is now learning her swim strokes at the Newport Harbor High pool!
Sophia attended the U.S. Men's water polo match with me and my better half a few weeks back. She was excited and thrilled to see water polo for the first time. In her typical way she was engrossed with what she saw. As we left the pool Sophia had one very relevant question for me after the match was over.
"Dad, can girls play too"
I told her "yes of course", and said I even knew a girl water polo player because I had written a story about her. Sophia knows her dad is a journalist. She even knows what that means. I tell stories about other people and what they do, good and even sometimes bad.
So I told her that we would try and go see this female water polo player I knew. I told Sophia her name was Tumua Anae. She was coming to Newport to play in just a few weeks.
It turned out Sophia couldn't come to see the match last Sunday, but I told her all about it and made a video to tell her the story of how a young girl form Newport Beach, not unlike herself, can become everything and anything they want to be, if they work hard, have friends and family who love and support them, and have a dream.
I played the video for Sophia yesterday morning and told her I made it to show her that just like Tumua, she could achieve anything. She said "dad, I love it" and gave me a hug.
I also decided to show the video to Tumua before I showed it to anybody else publicly. I had a feeling I might be invading Tumua's personal privacy and a very special moment for her and her family. The video so closely touches on that special moment.
Tumua had come home to Newport Beach and was sharing that moment with her friends and family. It was only weeks before she was head off to London to achieve what I'm sure is a dream of hers. I even asked Tumua about this last Sunday. Her answer is in the video. Tumua also told me yesterday she loved the video and said a few other nice things about my efforts. So take a look. I hope you like it too:
And two more things before I go ...
Thanks Sophia for asking if "girls can play too".
Thanks Tumua for giving young girls like Sophia somebody to look up to and strive to be like. And for showing them, with a dream, hard work and the love and support of those around you it can be done!
USA Water Polo player John Mann mixes it up with Croatia in Newport Beach pre-Olympic match
By Eric Longabardi
The 2012 Olympic Games in London are little over a month away. As the world prepares, U.S. althletes are doing the same.
This past weekend here in Newport Beach some of the best water polo players in the world met for a pre-Olympic tune-up. The matches pitted the USA verus Croatia and Hungary. In the 2008 Olympics in Beijing the USA was beat out for the gold medal by Hungary.
One of America's top players is a Newport Beach native. His name is John Mann. Mann is a Corona Del Mar High School graduate and played college water polo at the University of California at Berkeley. His resume and acomplishments in the water are lengthy, but to put it simply, Mann is one heck of a water polo player and one of the world's best.
Having grown up in Newport Beach I have followed the sport and seen a few water polo matches over the years. It's a sport I never played, but always greatly admired. It's one of the toughest sports on the planet to play. You not only have to swim with no rest or timeouts continuously, the rough and sometimes violent nature of the sport is mostly hidden from view as the action takes place mostly underwater.
That's why guys like John Mann are crucial. Mann is what we call 'one big dude' around the beach. He's 6'5", 250-pounds. He could be a starting lineman for a NFL football team based on size alone. He also swims like a dolphin and he moves though the water like an orca stalking its prey.
I had the chance to meet Mann in person at the recent event here in Newport. He turned out to be probably one of the nicest gentlist giants I have ever met. I have met a few "big guys" over the years in my work as a journalist and personally. Let's just say some of them are not exactly the most calm and laid back guys. John seemed about as laid back Newport cool as they come.
Take a look at my interview with Mann:
I recently penned a feature news story about Mann and another U.S. water polo standout for the women's USA olympic team named Tumua Anae for the Newport Beach Independent newspaper that I write for.
After the matchs last Saturday and Sunday I got a chance to chat with Mann about the upcoming Olympics and him playing in front of his family and friends here in Newport.
I hope you'll join me in wishing the USA Water Polo team and Mann the best of luck in London. Bring home the gold to Newport John, we'll be rooting for you!
I've seen a lot of new things over the years and have even tried a few of them myself. I'm no X-gen extreme sport athlete by any stretch, but there's a new 'sport' in town that may just have taken over the top slot of what constitutes the cutting edge of extreme sport.
It's a new flying machine and if you haven't seen it yet -- well simply put you have too. Words don't do it justice.
The flying machine is called the JetLev. A new state-of-the-art water powered jet pack that turns you into a human flying machine. The only requirement water, gas and some nerve. A little skill helps too!
So take a look and if you want to try it yourself give the guys down at Jetlev Newport Beach a call and they'll have you flying in no time.
I'm sure in the next X-Games they'll be racing across the channel to Catalina Island with modified suped up turbo charged versions, or maybe a gymnastics like water top routine set to music to show off the agility, style and finesse of a flying water dance!
Either way, who wouldn't be impressed with these amazing young men and their flying machine - I was, so will you!
The San Diego County Coroner has confirmed that a body found in the water near the Coronado Islands south of San Diego is that of Theo Mavromatis, 49 of Redondo Beach, CA.
Maveomatis was the captian and owner of the sailing yacht 'Aegean'.
According to the San Diego Coroner, Mavematis died of "multiple blunt force injuries". Coast Guard and other investigations are still underway to try and determine what exactly happened that caused the boat to disappear from a GPS tracking system during the race and break up.
The 'Aegean' disappeared during the annual Newport to Ensenada yacht race late last month and three other crew members on board the yacht died and were previously recovered from the ocean and identifed.
The San Diego County Coroners Press Release:
The boat (seen below) was a 37-foot oceaning going yacht.
Watch the short video below about Danny Parsel, Dennis Holland and the boat named 'Shawnee'. Parsel recently paid a visit to Dennis Holland, master boat builder at his home in Newport Beach, CA. Both men are trying to find a way to save the historic wooden boat from being lost forever.
Danny's grandfather Alan Adler owned and sailed the historic wooden boat Shawnee in Newport Beach for years until his death in 2002. Much of Danny's childhood and young adulthood was spent on the ship.
