Friday, August 7, 2015

Nancy Hastings Has New Port of Call



Surfrider Says "Good-bye...and Thanks!"


Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel


Nancy Hastings is a familiar face at Surfrider Foundation beach cleanups and chapter meetings up and down the California coast.



"The very first Surfrider Foundation meeting I attended, I drove home the new Chair of the Malibu Chapter," Nancy recalls. "I finally found something that got all my synapses firing. I wasn't going to let that opportunity pass me by." 


Since that day Nancy has been part of Surfrider’s California team, helping to coordinate activities, working with Sarah Damron to plan regional conferences, and interacting with the surfing community.




Currently serving as Surfrider's Southern California Regional Manager, Nancy loves nothing more than spending time at the beach.


"Who am I?" she asks. "I'm a surfer, musician, artist and activist. I am simply nuts about the ocean."
 

In fact, it's difficult for Nancy to remember a time that she hasn't been connected to the coast in some way. This has made her the perfect advocate for Surfrider's mission in California...and why it's so hard to say "Good-bye" to her.


But, just as the ocean currents change, life does, too, and Nancy's is taking her in a new direction. Massachusetts is Nancy's next port of call as she relocates to be closer to her family.
 

Announcing her move, Nancy said, "I have truly enjoyed working for the Surfrider Foundation and the wonderful opportunity to work with each and every one of you. I have shared a unique camaraderie, which I hope will continue in the years to come."



SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel know that everyone has a story to tell. To learn Nancy's all you have to do is look at the hand sewn quilt her mother-in-law Betty Hastings made for her – from Nancy's old Surfrider T-shirts. Each square represents a special moment...one in a lifetime of memories she will take with her to Massachusetts. 




After 12 years with Surfrider Nancy Hastings is leaving California for Massachusetts, but not the surfing community.
  

So, look for her at beach cleanups on the New England shore. Even bundled up in a sweater on chilly days she will be easy to spot by her warm California smile.

 


Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.


Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Big Upsets at U.S. Open of Surfing



Ohhara and Defay Win it All
 

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

With a come from behind charge in the last four minutes, 18-year-old Japanese surfer Hiroto Ohhara took the lead in the 2015 Vans U.S. Open of Surfing to become the first Japanese Open Champion.


Ohhara’s win stunned the surfing community since he was the last competitor to be included in the men’s field. Overwhelmed as he claimed the winner’s $100,000 prize, Ohhara said, “I’ve learned everything here.” 


Frenchwoman Johanne Defay staged an upset win, as well, over Sally Fitzgibbons, winner of the Fiji Pro. This was Defay’s first championship final and the 21-year-old was overjoyed by the win.


Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Defay has shown that she’s definitely a force to contend with on the women’s surf tour. “I guess it’s all the work I’ve done and it’s all come together,” Defay said, still trying to absorb the win.


Host Vans and Huntington Beach were winners, too, with all the good will and revenues the event generated.  

     

This year’s U.S. Open of Surfing was filled with surprises. But, it was no surprise that it would be a week to remember and an epic stop on the world surfing tour.

 

Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.


Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.