Old Surf Movies: Pismo and Shell Beach, 1979

[@johnguild8850]

I was there. 1978 - 1980 my wife and I were living in a tailor in Avila Beach (years before it was turned into a tourist trap). I was going to Cal Ploy getting an engineering degree (which I got) while surfing Pismo, Shell Beach and Morro Bay; all within a short distance from your beach days. Those were great times. I'm now 73 yo and will never forget. Life is good!!

[@dingocapo2087]

man just found this video. fortunate to live in central coast area for 6 decades now , Pismo to Monterey , we roamed searching for hidden waves, no internet , social media , no iPhone lame selfies. wish I would of carried a camera with film . just realizing how special 70s 80s where .

[@jamespardue3055]

Yep, Pismo, Shell Beach, Morro Bay and Cayucos is a pretty special place. Lived there for 7 years and was thankful every day. Thanks for the footage............

[@yoyopg123]

The combination of the song with the footage was truly inspired. Great stuff. Too bad it isn't pumping like this in Pismo today.

[@rogerventura5222]

Aint changed a bit! Still good waves, good music, and people still climbin the hill to celebrate life.

[@brianwimberly7937]

This is awesome. It needs to be played at the Skate museum in Morro Bay, run by jack smith. I lived at 100 El Portal drive, Shell Beach for 7 years in the 90's. Best place on earth that I know of. My mother and others live there now.

[@whatob1]

That Pismo footage is nutz! Been surfing there for over 30 years. Thank you for showing that Pismo still has potential. LOL!!

[@joeybenoit6269]

At 2:48 wishbone Ash! The lead guitarist is very good! Waves look good too!

[@Tribblepuppy]

I loved surfing Pismo in the mid 60's to the early 70's, back then it wasn't as crowded as it is these days.

[@yourface87]

Mr Brian Tissot, thank you so much for these surf videos. They really mean a lot to me, I discovered all your 70s surf vids in 2019 when I was 18 and at a tough and low point. These videos gave me so much peace and happiness to watch and try to live through it really made me feel great. I’m really grateful for you and your foresight to film these experiences. Thank you so much. I’ve always wanted to experience what this film captures for myself looks like the dream. Thanks Brian!

[@DrAbalone]

Really glad my videos gave you peace and happiness. They were wonderful experiences and its still possible to have them. The ocean is amazing and surfing is just one of the many ways to enjoy her. Take care

[@NeilB-y6y]

Once again, simplicity rules! A poor 16mm color print film combined with a cool wild track guitar riff, has the power to spin you back in time like nothing can. Creativity that evokes feeling, especially for those who were there and who may still be with us. The 70s really weren't that bad at all. Freedom - Great looking girls - cool attitudes & styles. Enjoy your 32,000 days on Earth. L L A P

[@SNDTEK1]

Love Wishbone Ash....havent heard that tune in a long time......brings back memories

[@LS-pe1ii]

I surfed Pismo in the 90's while stationed at Vandenberg AFB. Met a dear friend Steve Lee who lived in Lompoc and he showed me every surf spot from San Simeon to La Hoya. It seemed that he also knew every parks department employee on the coast also. We did surf Vandenberg which was off limits and luckily we never got caught. Caught a lot of early morning sessions before work at SLC-3 at the Train stop off of Ocean Blvd which split North and South VAFB out of Lompoc. Good memories and Great Friends. I do miss the Clam Chowder at Splash at Pismo and visiting Pancho's Surf Shop.

[@yourface87]

You introduced me to wishbone ash which is one of my favorite bands now for the past 5 years they’re great thank you

[@DrAbalone]

That's awesome! I've loved them since the early 1970s. One of the best, largely unknown rock bands.

[@1slickear]

Thanks for posting. I grew up in the Pismo/Shell area during the 60's/70's and went to Cal Poly until I left the area in '79. This brings back good memories of golden days. It's a long climb to the top of the hills overlooking the coastline, but worth the view.

[@skyfish1]

such a killer flick.really encapsulates the vibe. I wanna surf those spots.thanks

[@matthewmills6452]

Very cool video! I was born in '75 and just now learning to surf those same waves. You guys knew how to rip!

[@bilbobaggins2083]

Reminds me of my life early on in Cal. Surf, rock and a fine doob. Born in 62 and the mid to late 70's were journeys up and down the coast. From San Diego to Pismo. So much damn fun meeting new people, surfing and camping out. Nice film man.

[@unclemxlvin]

Still surfing pismo now, GREAT STUFF!

[@jeffparkerinsb]

Ah yes those were the best of times. That's me walking thru with-out a shirt at 5:47

[@SpotGoesHawaii]

Thanks for uploading this! Lived on the central coast for about 4 years and have great memories of surfing shell, pismo, los osos and north. Great vibes.

[@skatesissypop]

I can't even begin to tell you how good it feels to see this old movie. You were so productive even back then, leading the way for me my good friend. I was just a beach bum. You were always way ahead of me and your productivity brings great joy! I always looked up to you and now I am getting a clue about the positive influence you've had on me. Surfing IsTheSoul Of Sk8Brdng I Think &1 Reason I LoveSk8ItBrdng&SrfngSoMuch. Thanks again From your best friend from grade-school--Neal Unger

[@sporty420]

the band is Lacewing: Joe Daoust on lead guitar, Dennis Carvalho on drums, Paul Castilgioni on base, Ron Noland on rhythm and Stan Sine on tambourine.

[@crazymofo299]

sporty420 isn’t Joe Daoust also the owner of Lightning Joe’s guitar shop in Arroyo Grande?

[@WhiteNacho]

I was living at Mussel Shoals living in the old Cliffhouse at this time surfing the Gold Coast. Saw Wishbone Ash with Savoy Brown at The Shrine Auditorium. This vid really has the vibe!

[@colereed1997]

Whitenacho facst everyone is trying to surf like they in a contest now.

[@harveymushman2219]

Great times back then...got out of the Navy at 23 years old in 1976 hit the surf all over that area Parents lived A town I was in college slo town...Had a 1972 Dodge Van surfed till I found Avila beach lost track of my board then...lol

[@s19s45]

Loved it. I was out of the service in 72 and surfing was still cool. Mike Silva and your cousin Sandie.

[@davidgibson8370]

Here is the skinney so bear with me. I was at CCS today buying a fin that would be good in kelp. The guy behind the counter asked me where I was surfin and I told him St Anns. He tells me, hey there is this really cool video on line I should check out. I thought for a second and asked, Dr Abalone? He says yea! I said that was my Birthday Party. I don't know if he believed me. Anyhow, I only discovered this video a few years ago and it had to be taken in 1975 if not earlier. I don't think I had graduated H.S yet and I graduated in 75. A bunch of us friends all had our birthdays around the same time in mid March, so we decided we would have a party behind my parents house and call it "Spring Babies". Kelly, Raul, Mark J., Mark W. and some others that I can't remember (c'mon, it was the early 70's) built a stage. It was one of those "if you build it, they will come" things. And they did. Scott T., Billy L., two other school mates played. A band from Santa Maria got wind and played. And of course Denny and Joe's band. I do remember the one guy who I think was taking the videos. I'm pretty sure he was there to take videos of his buddies surfing. There just happened to be a party going on. I think....I dunno. You know how when you throw a party and you don't know half the people there. I'm really happy that Dr Abalone published this video. Brings back some fond memories. Especially of the surf where I grew up 4 doors down. And for the record, there was no permit. We just went around and warned the neighbors. Unfortunatly there was fighting and BS happening at the end, and I don't think that Officer Smitty or the neighbors would want it to happen again. It was a good time though. I can't wait to try my new fin tomorrow. Peace

[@yllek357]

David Gibson well told !

[@pitchasrisauy7512]

watch this while listening to someday-the growlers, they go together so well! Thanks for the upload.

[@hackman55able]

So awesome, and love the Wishbone Ash, thanks for the reminder how good they were. Was wondering what great music was playing. Beautiful Video!

[@danieledragone423]

I was an Italian guy 14 yo moving my first steps on Windsurfer and dreaming to surf. Today moved in Sri Lanka and surfing almost every day. Thanks life and thanks all the surfer that made me dream

[@haroldanmaude]

Love you films so much man! Can't get over how rad these are. I was born in the wrong era haha

[@williamhanley7031]

No leashes

[@ryanrhodes5819]

"Right on man" awesome piece of history thanks for sharing

[@shannonlabaw5719]

super great camera work and some awesome rides!!!

[@clarkewi]

Great era - last of the single fins.

[@MDriverB]

I was born is the mid 70"s. This was supposed to be my era. Surfed a lot of Pismo and Shell in the 80's and 90's. 2014 can suck it. haha

[@kimreynolds111]

Awesome video!! Thank you for sharing. Randomly came across this video on KZbin. I live where this video was filmed. Crazy to see how much this town has and hasn't changed.

[@tln88]

Happy to see those spots were still fairly crappy closeouts! haha Still a blast though and they do have their days....plus you can still surf in solitude here on the central coast. For me personally, that is most important

[@valkor73]

wow looked like a great time man

[@humphreysmiggens3881]

awesome upload

[@deepakhj]

Amazing footage. Really sick style!

[@tasheloveable]

beautiful surfing..

[@emoshoes333]

haha!!! bully, bro!!!!!!!!!!!! Just makes me that much less scared to move to Cali in February. Thanks for the inspiration as always! No shortage on the wealth of resources ever, brodda. :o) Hana hou.

[@CallOfDerzy]

why did pismo look so much better those days??

[@toddsmith9552]

Cool seeing the old footage. Why does everyone call it St, Anne's when it's really St And's (short for St. Andrew's). I was in 8th grade and my grandpa lived on Naomi Drive. I love seeing the old pier!

[@gregjennings8397]

that was rad. respect

[@aeipee13]

so good!

[@floating-in]

Great video thanks for sharing. Looks a bit earlier than '79 to me though maybe '77? Either that or boards and style took a while to catch up to SLO

[@philipbarton2634]

I was thinking the same thing. I remember a lot more twins around by 79

[@jasonoliver3722]

so awesome

[@oceanbeachhistoricalsociet8539]

Dr. Ab - do you remember the name of that band playing on the bluff at Shell Beach? Love this film. SLO 73-76. I mainly surfed Morro Rock and north up the coast, but I know that little bluff in Shell Beach very well. Great work. :^)

[@DrAbalone]

Thanks. I don't recall, so long ago. It's Spyglass Park now

[@JeffryMinecraft]

Wow the water was so blue at pismo back then... Now its like dark green almost... :(

[@pookaladookhi9757]

Ben Rosenberg it’s the camera lense

[@ToolsnFire]

good surfers,.. good for that time

[@32194598]

SLO Motion Blues Band including Lightning Joe.

[@DrAbalone]

Can't say that I remember :)

[@walterpeters2344]

I think I saw Donovan Frankenreiter in this...

[@yllek357]

Dave Gibson,Kelly Smiths spring babies b-day party.,Field behind Gibsons house in saint anns,,its spyglass park now,.Got a permit from the city , got lacewing. to play and it went off,the waves were even good that day.tryed for a permit the next year but they wouldnt have none of that.!

[@blindtoby8967]

Reminds my of Catherine Hill Bay.

[@12pak]

LOCALZZ ONLEY

[@mrmr314]

Great stuff. Can you surf through the pylons? Who is the band?

[@Greencloud8]

I live in Atascadero Was it cleaner and less commercialized Is that stage still there??

[@rebecaarnal5203]

Hello, I would like to contact you about the use of part of this video which we are interested in for a documentary project we are developing. Thank you, Kind Regards

[@robguz1349]

Esto es una joya

[@jadenojeda4089]

♥️

[@williamhanley7031]

Herbie Fletcher board in that session

[@slorhcp]

i dont get why everyone was going left at st annes

[@pookaladookhi9757]

Kyle Kaminski the left is prestine

[@davehasenford3985]

The music was so much better then. No contest. The surfing not so much.

[@rascalll43]

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