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Chuck Hasley – WindanSea Surf Club – La Jolla

Chuck Hasley - founder of WindanSea Surf Club

A former high school basketball coach, Chuck Hasley was known for his organizational skills, sense of humor and for having what his son, Chris, called “a little bit of the devil in him.”

Back in the early 1960’s Hasley suggested starting a surfing club of their own called the Windansea Surf Club. He knew there once had been a surf and ski club in the area and wrote, “I figured the people up the coast would remember there was a club at Windansea and think it was the same club.”  A club logo was quickly created, and Hasley was named president and t-shirts were printed.  Read more... (629 words, 4 images, estimated 2:31 mins reading time)

WindanSea Shack – La Jolla Historical Landmark

Heavy waves pound WindanSea shack - photo by Brian Munoz

WindanSea Beach encompasses a historic stretch of scenic coastline located in La Jolla, a community in San Diego, California. It is named after an oceanfront hotel that burned down in the late 1940s. Geographically, it is defined by the beachfront extending north of Palomar Avenue (Big Rock) and south of Westbourne Street (Simmons). Historically, it is defined by some of the most progressive and colorful characters in California surf  and beach crowd history.

The focal point and cultural icon at Windansea is a simple palm-covered shack, located beneath the narrow parking lot, just in front of the main peak. According to some historical stuff , it was originally constructed in 1946 by original locals Woody Ekstrom, Fred Kenyon (RIP) and Don Okey.  And was designated as an historical landmark by the San Diego Historical Resources Board on May 27, 1998.  Read more... (600 words, 2 images, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)

La Jolla’s Blacks Beach Key – Surfers, UCSD & Scripps

Ron Stoner captures Dickie Moon streaking across a see-through wall at Black's, circa 1967

Way back when, the Black Family moved to La Jolla and bought a bunch of acres on Torrey Pines cliffs alongside a canyon that lead to the beach.  A dirt road for horse and buggies followed the cliffs to what is known now as Torry Pine State Park.  With Del Mar Fairgrounds getting the A-OK for horse racing, the Blacks started a premier thoroughbred horse farm on about 10 acres. The horse farm was never that successful so they sold the land and it was subdivided into lots, where the area got its name, La Jolla Farms.  Read more... (734 words, 3 images, estimated 2:56 mins reading time)

La Jolla’s WindanSea – Surfers, Flexy Flyer, Nazis Riding Storm Drains

Back in the early 1960s, everyone in California knew there was something different about the La Jolla’s WindanSea crowd and surfers like Curren, Mike Diffenderfer (RIP) Tiny Brain Thomas, Billy Graham, and Butch Van Artsdalen (RIP).” Pat Curren and Mike Diffenderfer were known to hang at the Birds Rock’s  Sip and Surf and Red Mountain Inn and Tiny Brain Thomas was a bartender at Maynards. Sure there were others, but nothing like the ones mentioned.

Rakestraw and Curren had similar trends, both were regulars at Maynards and many times shared temporary living quarters at jail, so much so – Rakestraw used to write Curren little messages on the jail walls.  Read more... (360 words, 0 images, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Butch Van Artsdalen – Legendary Surfer – WindanSea Lot

Legendary surfer Butch Van Artsdalen trades gash in head for keg of beer. Photo taken by Jon Sarrett,WindanSea Parking lot

Recently I attended a memorial service for Harry Phillips, the former owner of Flowers by Adelaide in La Jolla.  I was having a conversation with some of the former delivery boys who worked for Harry over the years.  Randy Miller, Harry’s nephew, told a Windansea Tale.

Legendary surfer Butch Van Artsdalen was holding court at the Windansea lot and Randy was with Charlie Broan in one of the Adelaide’s delivery trucks.  Read more... (318 words, 1 image, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)