Surf legend is given his fitting farewell

Growing up on the beaches of Laguna Beach, I have always thought of the surfing community as one large family — not always happy, but more importantly, one that will come together when needed and necessary. Just like it did once again for Joe Epps’ memorial paddle-out last Saturday at Brooks Street.

Epps, one of the surfing pioneers of Brooks Street in the ‘60s and ‘70s, was joined by a who’s-who in Laguna surfing history for his last paddle-out.

Once we had said goodbye to Joe and spread, the first second reefer of the season came roaring through — a great and fitting farewell to a Laguna surfing saint.

In other surfing news, the nation’s best talent in the Assn. of Surfing Professionals Pro Juniors will compete at 54th Street in Newport Beach for the Arnette All Day Antics Pro Junior. The event, presented by Jack’s Surfboards, takes place June 5 and 6.

Highlighting the skilled field will be Newport’s own Andrew Doheny, defending champion Nat Young and current Pro series leader Evan Geiselman.

Former World Championship Tour competitor Jeff Deffenbaugh of Huntington Beach has launched his new Pro Surf Coaching website, which offers a program for surfers who want to progress their surfing skills to the highest level in competitive surfing or just for the everyday surf sessions.

For more information, visit www.prosurfcoaching.com.

Mary Osborne, star of the MTV show “Surf Girls,” will offer her surfing and yoga retreats beginning this weekend up in Ventura. Enjoy a great day of surfing and yoga for the first-time surfer or for the more advanced, along with enjoying your daily yoga sessions in a private oceanfront house.

For more information, visit www.mosurfcamp.com.

Until next week, stay healthy, and keep surfing.