Rugby World Cup

Ireland was ranked #1 in the world and the All Blacks came into the tournament looking not just vulnerable, but disappointing. Irish fans flooded Paris, singing their songs so loud that the sound drowned the haka out.

New Zealand found a way to scrape out a win in the final minutes and crushed the hopes of a million smiling eyes.

France, having beat the All Blacks in the tournament’s opening match and boasting arguably the best current player in the world, faced a Springbok team previously bested by the Irish. Playing in Paris, the South Africans still found a way to barely win the game.

What a tournament it has been and it comes to a conclusion this Saturday and I cannot wait.

NZ vs SA

Mowgli Surf

Mowgli Surf 1942 Riverside Dr. LA

At Mowgli surf you can purchase, cosmically painted surf boards- the sort that evoke yoga and acid.

You can also get clothes and accessories, but I think the main attraction is the art gallery in back stocked with the works of Luke Pelletier and Ashley Dreyfus. They pair well together in way that feels like two 80’s kids started drawing on Trapper Keepers and later went to art school. I like it.

Then there are all these other little odds and ends that I don’t normally find in surf shops. Like a pack vintage Ghost Buster trading cards. Or paper mache tandem surfer… sculptures? dolls? I’m not sure but they have them. I like it.

15th Street Surf Supply

1 03 15th Street, Newport CA

15th Street is not a big chain filled with brand names that you could find in any surf shop, or every shopping mall. It is small, local, and appears to be ok with that.

My understanding is that there are two locations, and perhaps over there, they have a big row of new boards, but there was no such thing here. There was a small selection of used boards, still covered in wax, and an equally waxed up selection of skim boards. I attribute this to their proximity to the Wedge.

There are two kook boxes hanging in the rafters, the obligatory “Endless Summer” poster, and plenty of nick-knacks up on shelves or hanging from rafters. There are also Birdwell boardshorts, a variety of wetsuits, and lots of 15th Street branded t shirts, beanie’s, and hats.

All in all, a nice, small, local, real, fun, surf shop.