Stanley's: A Lost Treasure

Listen as Yvon Chouinard describes Stanleys, a former surf break in Ventura County that was destroyed in the 1970's as part of a highway project.

[@blacktalon1597]

I grew up surfing Stanley's and Hobsons which had a beautiful peak break. I never surfed with more than 5-7 others at Stanley's, cause that whole stretch from Ricon, piers to Emmawood, would be great waves. Then the offramp came and destroyed Stanley's and affected everything south. Another great spot was Solamar between Faria and Emmawood, nice peak and good inside walls. Hell, I remember Rincon when 10 guys were out and perfect waves, that was crowded. I rode a Yater and Bing also Hobies. People were nice back then.

[@ricksharp4730]

Hey D, Martin, I was there too when they dozed Stanley's and I think the four houses at Seacliff nearest the restaurant. I was 19 and lived in Ventura. (I live in Oregon now.) I got into an argument with my girlfriend in Santa Barbara (Goleta actually) and took off for home but I had my board and a sleeping bag so I pulled into Stanley's to spend the night and hopefully surf in the morning as there was not much of a swell that day. Let's see if we remember this similarly. I woke up very early and all three breaks had perfect four foot waves so of course I went out. Within a hour maybe six more guys showed up. I stayed out until l was exhausted. By the time I came in the machinery was there. I thought how ironic that the day destruction of this great surf spot began the waves were perfect.

[@nozrydr1]

In the 60's Stanley's was one of the best surf spots in So. Ca. I surfed Stanley's a lot as a teen in the 60's. Stanley's was fast and with tons of shape. In 68' Uncle Sam called me away for a couple of years. When I came home, Stanley's was one of the first places I went, but it was gone. Bummer. Thanks for posting, the film brought back some fond memories.

[@danielsprock385]

Respect all surf spots! They all have their moment! Thanks for the vidio

[@svt7777]

I’m hard at work on a time machine for this very reason

[@bristleconepinus2378]

better hurry up I just turned 75.

[@peterrussell5828]

This place always had a rideable wave rode my first Yates 1963 thanks Dennie!

[@720069mf]

I remember Stanleys , best beach break i ever surfed. At the time (67' 68') i was in the Pitas Surfing Association surf club.

[@allenrizzi]

I remember Pitas. I was in the Rising Sons.

[@pastorharry2]

I used to surf this alot in the 60's, we used to camp there and drink some beer and ride up and down on the oil derick. The first time I ever got tubed was at Stanley's on a 10'2" Yater spoon...we were there the day they bulldozed the diner down....what a shame!! Aloha, PH

[@islanduni]

I really can’t understand how and why we lost such a magnifacent spot? Next they distroyed Pt. Mugu ( probably the best wave EVER in this area) followed by oil piers. What happened California,,,you can NEVER replace natures surf spots!!!

[@Jimmyspov]

I surfed Stanley’s and it was perfectly glassy and created a hollow peak barrel once it hit the sandbar

[@stevebauer459]

Last spot I surfed before leaving for Vietnam, 1968. We used to stay with my friend Joe and his family, camping in the summer. Surfed it the last day before they shut it down ....so sad!

[@standelmore3741]

Lived in Santa Barbara in the sixties Stanley's and Rincon were my go to's with my Owl 9'6"..

[@hotlicksdan]

I was there the day they tore it down too. I was 15. I live in TN now, but for some reason I was thinking of glassy surf today, and thought of Stanley's. Seems like it was always glassy there.

[@clarkewi]

I surfed Stanley's until it was wrecked. Going back to the longboard days. Many great days there.

[@XRacerify]

Sad what we've lost and not just surf breaks... Not just oil derricks, but now wind farms.

[@WhiteNacho]

Stanleys, Tanks, Oil Piers 3 epic spots gone forever.

[@stevebauer459]

Ah yes, Tanks!😊

[@daveallen2455]

Tanks... :-) Don't see the tracks anymore.

[@sammycatvta]

i was never fortunate to surf it as the highway was built before i was even born but there is the occasional glory days every once in awhile

[@williamhanley7031]

Nobody mentioned the legendary status this guy holds as a rock climber. Can't here him talk even on high volume

[@bristleconepinus2378]

I used to ride Stanley's in the early 60's on a 10'-0" Hansen, left-go right, take a couple steps, get tubed.

[@allenrizzi]

One of my favorite places back in the day, I still have a damaged left kidney due to a gremmie on my left falling and kicking his board down the wave into my back. Great memories though!

[@dennisboyce813]

Sounds like you´re saying that you took off in front of the gremmie.

[@allenrizzi]

@@dennisboyce813 No - He tried to paddle in behind me when I'd already been on the wave awhile. When he tried to get to his feet -BAM!

[@LucBlanchou]

We talk alot about the waves we lost because of the contructions, harbors or whatever, but we dont talk about the waves made out of these constructions, like sandspit for exemple, world class barrel.

[@RichArtLove]

Sad. We Ate Chili At The Restaurant After Surfing. Thanks!

[@slamalabam5734]

Steve Shaw getting it

[@chriscochrane2769]

the waves at Rincon were probably 3 times better.

[@tommythompsonsurfer]

LOST 23 YEARS AGO......ALL OLD SURFERS ARE DEAD OR DYLING.....BLESSS STANEY'S AND ALLSURFBEAKS!!!

[@anotherworldviewispossible]

YC's audio commentary - lost under the music for me - like Stanley's Diner has been lost to Gen X and later surfers.

[@jesqui5041]

Sad. I’d like to think that kind of shi! wouldn’t happen today??

[@billykohler9153]

No leashes.

[@kevinkhoy7171]

No leashes! Or Wet Suits! The True Pioneers of 🏄🏻

[@MikeListon-tk8ir]

Stanleys was good for the time, on a longboard. It would be a mediocre wave for today's high performance shortboards. If it were still there, would Yvon be out there on his surf kayak these days, nearly decapitating people like he did at Pitas over and over again?

[@tahoedharmabum]

....the guy that edited the sound on this piece must have been 11 beers into a 12 pack....what's the deal with Yvon's vocals and why, many years down the pike, haven't they resolved it....