VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The fun and excitement continues as the qualifiers for the men’s Vertical Ramp and Street Course Semi-Finals begins today at 5:45 PM EDT.

There will be pro skaters mixed in with up and coming skaters from all over the world.

Two Japanese skaters qualified for the Men’s Vertical Ramp. Shion Suganami and Kosumo Fujiki will go up against the skater from Hawaii, Kalani Ferolino. Ferolino got a lot of big air during his trial runs while Suganami and Fujiki showed incredible form as they spun around and up and over the top of the Vert Ramp lip.

One skater to watch is the youngster from Australia, Hudson Walker. Walker has been making a lot of noise recently as he seems to be getting into his groove as his confidence on the Vert Ramp continues to improve. Today, Hudson’s form was great, his extensions, height, and grabs were perfect.

Hudson qualified in second place behind Luke Kahler, one of the favored skaters in the tournament. Kahler is from Huntington Beach, California and according to thebaordr.com is ranked 80th in the world.

The wind picked up overnight and at 3:00 am, the team that manages the High Line Competition decided to take down the lines between the two hotels. One technician said that the winds had started to reach at least 40 MPH and the safety precaution that was in place demanded they crew stow the lines.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is clear and the wind has steadily died down throughout the day. The High Line Competition is expected to go on tomorrow. The schedule will be impacted as they have to complete the competition in one day instead of two. The High Line competition is expected to be completed within three hours tomorrow.

So far, the Base Jumpers who are parachuting off the top of a local hotel have not been able to fly yet. One jumper said that the conditions aren’t right and they don’t want to take any chances. Looking up at the waving and bent flag that flys over the Base Jumping launch platform, one has to agree that it is better to be err on the safe side.

In the ocean, the Jetskies gave the Festival goers quite a show. Without using any ramps to luanch themselves, the Jetski operators somehow did three consecutive flips by using the force of the water as they ramp.

Totally RAD!

The Semi-Finals for the Vertical Ramp and the Street Course begins today at 5:45 PM EDT. You can watch the live stream here by clicking on the link below.

Tomorrow, 3rdstreet.tv will live stream the finals for the Men’s and Women’s in the Vertical Ramp and the Street Course.

Enjoy the show.

Image shot and edited by Don Hughes while onsite in Virginia Beach. Live video courtesy of Jackalope and Tribu.

Watch the live stream below:

Special thanks to The Clash of the Titans tournament for the YouTube feed and for hosting the tournament. All the parents on the mainland and family members across the globe appreciate your help. Mahalo. Some content courtesy of the open Internet, YouTube, and Google.

The Eagles played a physical game against the Vikings. Led by their Outside Hitters, the Eagles were able to get above the net and the blocking hands of the SAMO players.

Although the Vikings were at one point ahead of the Eagles by six points, there were unable to keep the lead and send the play into the fifth set.

“We played a lot of good teams recently and I’m happy with the results,” said Coach Pete Barraza. “I’m looking forward to our league play and believe the boys will do well.”

On Monday, Santa Monica plays the Malibu team in Santa Monica. The game starts at 3:30 pm PST and will be live streamed on www.3rdstreet.tv.

El Segundo will begin their league play next week. This year, El Segundo will play in the Bay League where they will play against Mira Costa, Redondo Union, South Torrance, and Peninsula.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

SANTA MONICA (March 3, 2025) – “The game never stops.” “The only important point is the one that you are playing for now.” “Don’t lose your cool – stay calm and focus.” “It’s only a game.”

These are some of the thoughts that might go through the minds of young volleyball players as they face one another from across the net.

It’s easy to write this but it is different when the serve coming at you is speeding through the air at 45 mph.

During the quick sets, the players are usually jocular. They stay loose. There are hands slaps and good natured joking. They are all friends and during Club Season, there is a lot of mixing and matching and crossover.

On Thursday, the El Segundo Eagles travel to Bay City where they will play against the SAMO High Vikings. The Eagles, led by the always smiling wonder twins, have been recently flying high. Last week they defeated Torrance in three quick sets. Before that, the Eagles soared past Wiseburn – Da Vinci in three consecutive sets at Wiseburn.

The Santa Monica Vikings have been doing a little pillaging of their own. Last week they had three games. The Vikings vanquished Palos Verdes at the end of the week. In the middle of the week they travelled to Brentwood. The game went to four sets but Santa Monica ultimately won. In the beginning of the week, the Vikings sailed over to Torrance where they conquered the Tartars in four sets.

Santa Monica Head Coach, Pete Barraza, was happy with the team’s performance last week. “There are a few things we can work on but we are getting better every game,” he said. “The team played hard last week and I’m glad we can take a little rest before the El Segundo game.”

Last week, middle blocker, Breyon, had several impressive blocks that helped the Vikings defeat Palos Verdes. This players has a few more years of high school to develop as a player. We are expecting good things from him.

Alec Green, the voice of So Cal Volleyball will once again announce the play-by-play for the Thursday match-up between El Segundo and Santa Monica. You can watch the live stream here on 3rdstree.tv.

This post and live stream are brought to you by our sponsors: Yogazan and Pacific Coast Tires

The Rincon Classic is a SoCal surf competition that has been hosted for more than four decades.

The waves can be gnarly and the surfers never know what to expect. Watch the live stream below as localz and pros alike gather in Carpinteria to compete for the glory!

Watch the live and embedded stream here on 3rdstreet.tv:

Rincon Classic History

The event where legends are made, The Rincon Classic is the oldest and most revered surfing contest in Santa Barbara’s rich surfing history. Showcasing generations of the areas best surfers at the Queen of the coast, the Classic is a locals only event, serving as a community gathering each winter. To guarantee optimal conditions the Classic has a six week waiting period from the originally scheduled date. Over it’s 43 year history the event has showcased such house hold names as Tom Curren, Bobby Martinez, Chris Brown, Kim Mearig, Davey Smith and Dane Reynolds to up and coming stars, Lakey Peterson, Conner and Parker Coffin, Demi Boelsterli and Kilian Garland. For every known name there are a handful of underground rippers that will always own the line up at Rincon.

Founded in 1979 by Roger Nance, Jeff White, and a crew of local surfers, the Rincon Classic ran for 17 consecutive years before falling dormant in 1996. In 2001 the event was resurrected by Chris Keet and the Surf Happens crew to continue the legacy. Under the tutiledge of this generation the event has grown exponentially and now involves the community in grass-roots fundraising efforts.

2025 marks the 43th Annual Rincon Classic and the 25th year the event will be produced by Surf Happens Surf School. It is with great honor that we continue to run the Rincon Classic tradition for our community and we appreciate your support!

This event is sponsored by Merrick Lager.

Some content by Rincon Classic and Merrick Lager. Live streaming services provided by Dream Cast Media Group LLC. Embedded feed provided courtesy of Rincon Classic 2025.

Alone.  Fearless.  He stood on the edge of the snow-covered platform.  Stamped his feet one at a time to clear the snow from his cleats.  He clicked into his skis.  Looked over his shoulder at the crowd of young men and women – athletes in the prime of their lives. Ready for adventure, each and every one of them.

“You got this!” a teenager girl with dark-haired yelled.

“Rip it man!” the brawny youth cheered.

The group of athletes clapped slowly.  The pounding of their hands pulsed and grew louder.  A chorus of encouragement rose from the crowd and threatened to push him off the platform. 

These athletes cheered for more than just one athlete at a time.  They cheered for all the athletes that were there.  Regardless of the night’s outcome, they wanted to push themselves and their brethren to do their best.  To take the sport to new heights and do tricks the naysayers said couldn’t be done. 

The crowd chanted their support as the young man on the podium turned toward the vertical drop.  He bent his knees slightly and plummeted over the edge. 

One after the other, the young men and women, the next generation of great trick skiers bulleted toward the first rail.  Streaks of black, red, brown, orange and white passed me as I stood on the top of the deck. 

They were human torpedoes.  Stars shooting across the white expanse toward the cheering crowd at the bottom of the run. 

This was the final event of the night.  The SAMSUNG Galaxy Best Trick. 

Every trick was pure.  Every run was great.  But, in any competition there has to be a winner.

Kurra Koivisto was the Champion.  He won the SAMSUNG Galaxy Best Trick of the day.  He rocketed off the SAMSUNG Galaxy Battleship, transferred to the inner rail with a front swap to a 270 out.    The judges thought it was impossible, but the 24-year-old Finn nailed it. 

The crowd went wild.

Later today, snowboarders will occupy the 40’ foot vertical drop that is 235’ long. 

The live stream starts at 5:00 pm EDT.   Watch it here on NetNewz.tv

(Original Post Below – February 8, 2025)

MISSISSAUGA, CANADA and SANTA MONICA – The air outside YYZ Pearson Airport in Toronto was frigid. Snow covered the ground like white sugared icing dressed on your favorite cake.

 I felt like a thoroughbred as my breath vaporized in white drafts of vitality. I was super-charged.  Excitement and energy pulsed through my body like a locomotive running full throttle.

It was great to be in Canada once again.  The synergies between Canada and the USA run deep and true.  We, in the North remember and support one another.

I came to Mississauga to watch and cover the APIK Ski and Snowboard Competition.  What is it?  You may ask. Think Winter X Games years ago when the event was up-and-coming.  When it was cooler.  Less focused on monetization.  When it was about the athletes and the community.

That is APIK.  For the community. A tribe of people celebrating life and winter adrenaline sports here and across the globe.

Near downtown Mississauga, the Tribu team built a snowboard and ski run that is approximately 200’ long.  There are rails and moguls that the athletes navigate.  Sure, the athletes are competing to win a prize, but more than anything, the athletes are enjoying their chosen sport, enjoying the beauty of being in the moment, enjoying the sound as the edges of their boards or skis cut through the snow. 

Most people know what it’s like to be in the moment.  In harmony.  That time of perfect bliss as the athlete and equipment are one.  Sailing through the air in perfect balance of mind, body, and equipment.  Harnessing gravity.  Landing on the packed snow with a slight crunch, registering but not truly hearing the applause of the crowd as they stick the landing.

Pure joy and bliss.   Finding and channeling the inner child. Still a kid enjoying the sport for the sake of it.

On Saturday, there are two qualifying rounds for skiing.  The first qualification round begins at 3:00 pm EDT.  The second qualifying round begins at 5:00 pm EDT. 

The Final Round begins at 6:15 pm EDT and will be streamed live.  You can watch the live stream below:

Snowboarders will take over the ramp on Sunday.  There will be two qualifying rounds on Sunday.  The first round begins at 2:00 pm EDT and the second begins at 3:30 pm EDT. 

The snowboard competition final begins at 5:00 pm EDT and will be streamed live here.  You can watch the link below:

The final event of the night is the SAMSUNG Galaxy BEST TRICK which starts at 7:00 pm EDT.  You can watch the SAMSUNG Galaxy BEST TRICK live here:

Snowflakes are falling outside as I write this from the warmth of the Delta Hotel lobby.  It looks slippery outside.  Cold.  They don’t call if the Great White North for nothing.  Time to put on my long-johns and head out to the fun.

Come join the fun on Saturday and Sunday.  APIK will host free community events.  There is a snowskate open jam and snowboard initiation.  Local vendors are also selling food and drink.  Come and taste a bit of Canada.

At approximately 11:00 am that morning, the fire began in the coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. According to the Washington Post, the winds reached 90 MPH. Within hours the fire had consumed 10,000 acres and burned hundreds of homes. As the fire burnt overnight, the burn area would encompass more than 20,000 acres. The fire consumed and demolished an estimated 1,200 homes and commercial businesses and has caused an estimated U$D 250 billion in damage.

Several hours after the Pacific Palisades fire ignited, another firestorm erupted in Eaton, California – an incorporated city near Pasadena. This fire burnt overnight and more than 100,000 people were under orders to evacuate.

Fire Departments across California joined together and fought the blazes. According to Mayor Karen Bass’ office, as of today, the fire in Pacific Palisades is 75% contained and the Eaton fire is 95% contained.

But, the damage will be felt for years to come as government officials grapple with the loss of life, the displacement of 10’s of thousands of people, the financial loss, and the environmental impact.

CORE, Community Organized Relief Effort, will hold a live telethon today beginning at 9:00 am PDT. CORE, an non-profit organization has already raised over U$D 1 million that will be used to benefit impacted people and first responders, including the Los Angeles Fire Department and The California Fire Foundation.

So many people have been impacted by this tragedy. That is why actors, such as Josh Brolin and Internet talent and gamer, Jacksepticeye, have donated both time and money to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Watch the LIVE Telethon here:

You can help make a difference to the lives of the people affected by this tragedy. Please visit the CORE Website and make a direct donation.

Some content courtesy of CORE, The Washington Post, USA Today, LAFD, The California Fire Foundation, YouTube, and the La Canada Flintridge FD.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Hotel workers across the state are on strike demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Hotel staff in Santa Monica recently joined their movement when their contracts ran out.

In 2023, workers have gone on strike to protest working conditions. Workers in the automotive, hotel, film and television, and healthcare industries all protesting and demanding better pay, job protection, more employees, and better conditions.

Photo courtesy of NBC via Google Images.