Secret Spot Galleries

Giving of Thanks

Hard to believe it’s already been a week since the loss of a friend, a family man, and a Surfwanderer, Francisco “Franny” Solorio, Jr. The tragic event deeply affected those who were close to him and touched the lives of everyone, not just surfers, all over the world. I didn’t have the pleasure to meet Franny, but I know I’m not the only one finding it hard to look at the recent waves without thinking of him.
More Words & Photos from Liebs

Tragedies like this connect us. The loss of a fellow surfer forces us take a step back and re-evaluate what’s important, what we take for granted, and what we can do to, well, live better.
So I propose a toast… to Franny. Let this Fall & Winter be dedicated to him. From looking at his photos and hearing all the awesome things that people have to say about him, it seems that Franny would want nothing more than to see his friends score some waves. Surf knowing that he is looking down on us sending as many fresh lines in as we can handle.

And as we head on into this holiday season don’t forget to about those people that matter to you. Tell them they matter. Life is short and crazy and you really never know.

RIP Francisco. We’ll all catch one for you.

The family has set up a memorial fund to help cover final expenses and ensure his daughters future.

Donations are being accepted at the Rabobank located at 519 East Main Street in Santa Maria under the “Francisco Solorio Memorial Fund #9502-342252″.

A private celebration of life “paddle out” will be held at Jalama Beach on Sunday.

Global Photography: Bruno Falcão

By Brian

“Barra da Tijuca is an extensive beach in Rio de Janeiro and it has a lot of points.We call this place Alfabarrels Tube Mill (John John Florence was very happy here). These pictures are of the Alfabarrels point, in front of some Alfabarra buildings near a Reserva beach. When we have five feet of well or more with the north wind you will see many tubes.”
~Bruno Falcão

Look at this gallery full screen for the full experience.

Escape and Robbery- Run-ins with the Sea Police

By Shawn

By: Richard Dennis

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Have you ever been standing on the beach staring at nearly perfect 6-8’ waves with nobody in sight and gotten the feeling that you probably shouldn’t get in the water? No you say? Well perhaps there weren’t 4,000 lb. elephant seals strewn across the beach and a sea lion rookery within a quarter mile of the break (that’s all the hints your gonna get). Believe me; nothing gets you thinking about the man in the grey suit more than a proliferation of marine mammals on the beach and in the lineup. Sometimes you wonder, other times you’re sure.

Yes I paddled out….by myself. And it was fun, but not epic. So when I caught a long right to the inside and got brushed by something underwater that was much bigger than I am, I tucked tail and scurried back to terra firma like a cat thrown in a swimming pool.

I walked back to my gear to share my experience with my buddy and cleared my head with a couple of ice cold beers. Call it liquid courage or maybe even beer goggles, but before long the waves were looking near perfect and I was having a mental ping pong match as to whether to paddle back out or not. Yes I paddled. Liquid courage…you bet. Beer goggles….you be the judge.

Do you have any close encounters with sharks, elephant seals, or other sea animals? Send us you’re stories for possible use on Surfwanderer.com @ makaisurf@mac.com