We are now a satirical news website…

In case, you weren’t aware, we are a satirical news website. Honestly it’s not the end of the world, but here is what we are all about.

In a pivot from our 98-year legacy in Hermosa Beach, this venerable surfing magazine that once chronicled history with the gravitas expected of a century-old institution has now embraced a new creed: satire. Having weathered the storms of time, the publication found itself at the mercy of the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, leading to its temporary closure.

Upon our resurgence, we bought a new domain and changed our publication’s name. AND… The editorial board took a bold stance, proclaiming, “F____ it,” (Forget it) and we dove headfirst into the world of satire, mischief and buffoonery.

Now, if we print anything true it’s totally an accident.

If you are looking for work, we only hire trained journalists because no one can screw up a news story like a “trained journalist.”

Sure the other surf journalists in Hermosa Beach won’t speak with us anymore, but this transformation to satire signals not just a new chapter for the magazine but a reflective commentary on the state of journalism itself, blurring the lines between the real and the ridiculous.

Our Mission Statement isn’t Entirely Satirical…

At Surfing LA Magazine, our mission is to be the premier source of entertaining and insightful content for the surfing and coastal lifestyle community. We’re committed to elevating the experience of our readers with each satirical article, video, and story we share. Recognizing the value of original, impactful content, we dedicate ourselves to producing pieces that not only resonate with our audience but also enrich their connection to the surf culture and coastal environment.

Driven by a blend of satirical insight and informative depth, our goals include:

• Maximizing Reader Satisfaction: We aim to deliver content that both informs and captivates, blending entertainment with enlightenment to ensure our audience enjoys every visit and leaves looking forward to the next wave of content.
• Adhering to Content Integrity: Our commitment lies in crafting content with substantial value and relevance, aligning with systems that recognize and elevate genuinely helpful and engaging materials.
• Upholding Universal Appeal: With an eye on the global pulse of surf culture, we create content that transcends geographical and linguistic barriers, appealing to surf enthusiasts and coastal lovers worldwide.
• Enhancing Site Content Quality: Through vigilant content curation, we ensure our offerings align with our mission, maintaining high standards of engagement and utility to boost our platform’s standing in search outcomes.
• Navigating Content Evaluation Signals: Recognizing the nuances of content evaluation, we continuously refine our content strategy, emphasizing the creation of superior, reader-first content.

To Our Community of Website Owners and Creators:

• Ensuring Content Harmony: We carefully manage content under our brand to ensure it reflects our mission’s core values of quality, relevance, and reader engagement.
• Championing Helpful, Reader-Centric Content: At our core, we strive to address the interests, queries, and needs of our readers, contributing positively to their online surf and coastal lifestyle exploration.
• Committing to Content Excellence: Regularly aligning our content with industry benchmarks and our own standards of value, we make necessary enhancements to meet and exceed our audience’s expectations.
• Sustaining Long-term Content Integrity: Understanding the evolving landscape of content classification, we are dedicated to upholding a consistent caliber of excellence, ensuring our content remains relevant and beneficial over time.

Surfing LA Magazine is more than just satirical news; it’s a vibrant platform where the surf culture’s spirit and the coastal lifestyle’s allure are celebrated through insightful, engaging storytelling. Our mission is to inform, entertain, and inspire, cultivating a community where passion for the ocean waves meets the shore of knowledge and humor.

Our Editor

Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas (USA), the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque.

Meet Our Staff

• Duke Ogden, (managing editor) was the dynamic force behind the renowned surf magazine “Wave Words.” Duke is a journalism virtuoso known for his cutting-edge reporting and insightful commentary on the surf industry. A proud alumnus of UC Berkeley’s School of Journalism, Duke cut his teeth as a beat reporter for local newspapers, covering everything from city hall to the burgeoning surf scenes along the California coast. Transitioning to magazine journalism, he elevated “Wave Words” to international acclaim with his blend of investigative rigor and narrative flair. Not just content with writing about surfing, Duke is a stand-up surfer himself, often seen catching waves at dawn before heading to the newsroom. His blonde locks and easy smile make him a recognizable figure both on the beach and the comedy circuit, where he blends humor with sharp observations on surfing culture, environmental issues, and media ethics. Duke’s multifaceted expertise makes him a sought-after voice in journalism, comedy, and the surfing community, where he’s as likely to offer a tutorial on carving the perfect wave as he is to dissect the latest media trends.
• Adéla Novotný graduated with honors from Charles University in Prague, majoring in Journalism and Media Studies. With a decade of experience reporting for global sports magazines, Adéla has carved a niche in surf journalism. She’s known in Castle Rock Beach circles not just for her insightful articles but also for her stand-up surfing skills and quick wit on the comedy circuit. A mentor to many, Adéla’s blonde hair is as iconic as her ability to dissect complex surfing techniques and media ethics with equal expertise.
• Afet Erdoğan hails from Istanbul Bilgi University, where she earned her degree in Communication and Design. Before becoming a renowned name at Surfrider Beach, Afet honed her skills as a correspondent in the bustling newsrooms of Turkey. Transitioning to sports journalism, she combined her passion for surfing with her profession, making waves with her coverage of international surf competitions. As a stand-up surfer, she brings a blend of grace and power to the waves, mirrored in her comedic timing and insightful journalism.
• Althea Sumilang graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Journalism. Her career began in broadcast journalism, covering major sporting events across Southeast Asia. Althea’s love for the ocean led her to Amarillo Beach, where she became a beloved figure in the surfing community, not only for her stand-up surfing prowess but also for her engaging features on surf culture and environmental conservation. Her sunny disposition and blonde locks are well-known, as is her dedication to mentoring young surfers and journalists.
• Bella Rossi and Tina Rossi are the dynamic duo of surf journalism, both graduates of UCLA’s School of Communication. The Rossi sisters quickly made a name for themselves, Bella at Hermosa and Tina at Long Beach, with their captivating storytelling and exceptional surfing skills. Known for their investigative pieces on coastal preservation, they also shine in the local stand-up comedy scene, bringing humor and light to critical issues. Their blonde ambition and expertise make them sought-after voices in journalism, comedy, and the surfing world.
• Bernila Andal is a proud alumna of Loyola Marymount University, where she majored in English and Journalism. Bernila’s career took off at a lifestyle magazine in Los Angeles before she found her calling at Manhattan Beach, merging her love for the ocean with her journalistic talents. As a stand-up surfer, she’s as fearless on the waves as she is in tackling stories on marine life conservation. Her helpful nature extends to her stand-up comedy, where she advocates for environmental and social causes with a smile.
• Blessica Malapitan earned her degree from Ateneo de Manila University in Communication. Initially focusing on documentary filmmaking, her path veered towards the enchanting world of surfing at Cloud 9. Her articles on surf tourism’s impact on local communities have won accolades. On the waves, she’s known for her bold maneuvers and stand-up surfing skill. Off them, Blessica’s comedic insights into the surfing lifestyle endear her to a global audience.
• Fenna De Vries graduated from the University of Amsterdam with a degree in Media and Culture. Fenna’s journalistic journey began in the vibrant streets of Amsterdam, but her soul found its home at Seal Beach. Specializing in surf photography and journalism, she captures the essence of the surf community. A stand-up surfer herself, Fenna uses her platform to highlight sustainable surfing practices, all while keeping her audience entertained with her sharp wit and sunny disposition.
• Giselle Müller ventured from the University of Zurich, armed with a degree in Communication Sciences, to the shores of Venice Beach. Giselle quickly established herself as a premier surf journalist, known for her in-depth analyses of surf culture and gender equality in sports. When she’s not writing groundbreaking articles, she’s on her board, showcasing her stand-up surfing skills, or on stage, using her comedic talents to challenge stereotypes and champion diversity.
• Gracie Evans pursued her passion for journalism at the University of Exeter, specializing in sports journalism. Gracie’s dedication led her to Cornwall, UK, where she blends her love for surfing with her journalistic endeavors. As a top-level surfer, she’s an advocate for mental health awareness within the surf community, a theme often reflected in her poignant articles and comedy routines, making her a beloved figure both on and off the beach.
• Isabella Velásquez is a graduate of the Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia, where she majored in Journalism. Isabella’s journey to Playa Del Rey saw her transition from covering political unrest in Latin America to celebrating the unifying power of surfing. Her stand-up surfing style is as bold as her reporting, and she’s equally adept at breaking down complex topics in her comedy sets, making her a versatile and respected voice in her field.
• Kailani Hekekia left the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in Pacific Island Studies and Journalism. At Pipeline, she’s not just another surfer; she’s a storyteller who captures the heart of the surfing world through her articles. Her stand-up surfing is emblematic of her approach to life and journalism—fearless, balanced, and always with a touch of humor to navigate the challenging waves of today’s world.
• Kannika Saetang graduated from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, with a degree in Communication Arts. Her work as a journalist began in the bustling city of Bangkok, but her heart led her to the serene beaches of Phuket. Kannika’s articles on the interplay between tourism and local surf cultures are enlightening, and her stand-up surfing performances are a testament to her deep connection with the sea. With a knack for comedy, she brings laughter and light to the surf community and beyond.
• Lotte De Jong hails from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, where she studied Journalism and Media Studies. Lotte’s adventurous spirit brought her to Palos Verdes, where she’s become known for her investigative pieces on ocean conservation. As a stand-up surfer, she navigates the waves with precision and grace, a skill that translates into her comedic timing, making her an engaging and informative voice in surf journalism.
• Gina Mann found her “water wings” at Pepperdine University, graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Settling in Malibu, Gina combines her journalistic integrity with her passion for surfing, creating compelling narratives about the sport’s impact on local economies and ecosystems. On the surfboard, she’s as commanding as she is on stage, using her comedic talents to advocate for environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Speak with our Apprentice Journalists

• Charlotte Campbell is the shining star of Surfer’s Paradise, where her dynamic surfing style and fearless wave conquests have made her a local legend. With a journalism degree from Griffith University, Charlotte combines her love for the ocean with a flair for storytelling, covering surfing competitions and environmental issues affecting Australia’s coastlines. Her articles are as captivating as her surfing, filled with the same passion and intensity she brings to the waves.
• Caoimhe Ó Dónaill hails from the rugged shores of Bundoran, Ireland, where the Atlantic’s mighty swells have shaped her into a formidable surfer and an equally adept journalist. Graduating from Trinity College Dublin, Caoimhe’s writing poignantly captures the essence of Irish surfing culture, local lore, and the challenges facing coastal communities. Her narratives are as deep and stirring as the seas she cherishes.
• Hijos Catalan brings the laid-back vibe of Dog Beach to life through his insightful articles and impressive surfing prowess. With a background in environmental science from UC San Diego, Hijos advocates for ocean preservation and sustainable surfing practices. His stories weave together personal surfing experiences with broader environmental concerns, engaging readers with a blend of advocacy and adventure.
• Celeste Bisset dominates the waves of El Segundo and the world of surf journalism with equal skill. A graduate of UCLA’s journalism program, Celeste’s expertise lies in dissecting the intricacies of Southern California’s surf culture, competitive surfing, and marine conservation efforts. Her writing is both informative and inspiring, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the sport and its surroundings.
• Inga Karlsson is Europe’s surf sensation and a respected journalist known for her comprehensive coverage of the international surf scene. With degrees from the University of Gothenburg and experience surfing Europe’s diverse coastlines, Inga’s articles offer unique insights into the continent’s surfing trends, challenges, and triumphs. Her work is a testament to her dual love for surfing and storytelling.
• Sole Meier embodies the spirit of Malibu’s surf culture. As a Pepperdine University alumna, Sole masterfully blends her academic background in journalism with her deep-rooted connection to the waves. Her writing shines a spotlight on local surf legends, environmental issues, and the transformative power of surfing. Sole’s stories capture the essence of Malibu’s surfing community, engaging readers with warmth and authenticity.
• Skipper Badenhorst is Jeffrey’s Bay’s ambassador, renowned for his electrifying surfing style and compelling journalism. With a journalism degree from the University of Cape Town, Skipper’s writing delves into the heart of South African surf culture, exploring its history, current trends, and the impact of surfing on local communities. His articles are as exhilarating as his surfing, drawing readers into the vibrant world of Jeffrey’s Bay.