Tag: junior seau

A shaper of surfboards and lives in Oceanside.

An inspirational exhibit at the California Surf Museum in Oceanside remembers a surfing legend.

Donald Takayama: Shaping Boards and Lives highlights the accomplishments of a champion surfer and one of the world’s most recognized surfboard shapers.

Looking at the extensive exhibit last weekend, I learned how Donald Takayama at the age of twelve moved from Hawaii to Southern California, having been invited to work at a Venice Beach surf shop, shaping boards. He was paid to wear a company logo on his shirt while surfing. Wikipedia states he may have been the world’s first professional surfer.

Takayama would move to Encinitas and then Oceanside, and continue to gain international fame shaping boards. He also would win many surfing competitions, including three consecutive Masters titles in the US Surfing Championships.

More impressively, he would win the hearts of many in the community. He was beloved by friends and family and surfers all over; he mentored future champions; and he even taught his friend, San Diego Chargers legend Junior Seau–also an Oceanside resident–how to surf.

Surfer Magazine named Donald Takayama one of 25 surfers who changed the sport. He has been inducted into the International Surfboard Builder Hall of Fame.

Visitors to the California Surf Museum will observe how one person changed the world around him in so many positive ways. They will see the enduring achievements of a great man.

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The amazing Junior Seau mural on El Cajon Boulevard!

If you’ve driven down El Cajon Boulevard between 34th and 35th Street in the past couple months, you might have seen this incredible huge mural celebrating San Diego Chargers superstar linebacker Junior Seau!

The mural was painted in early May by the artists of Ground Floor Murals. (Two days ago I posted photos of their new Manny Machado mural in Chula Vista here.)

Junior Seau is one of San Diego’s most beloved sports heroes, an NFL football legend whose life ended tragically nine years ago. It’s hard for me to believe that almost a decade has passed already.

Ground Floor Murals is composed of Paul Jimenez and Signe Ditona, a couple who began painting murals in earnest during the COVID-19 pandemic. They now have many cool murals all around the city! Read their story at their website here.

Their awesome tribute to Junior Seau is located at the border of Normal Heights and City Heights.

If you’re wondering about the graffiti directly beneath the Junior Seau mural, that’s part of extensive new art that was spray painted in the past year or two along Flash Alley. Yesterday I also photographed the fantastic urban artwork along the long alley and I’ll be posting those pics shortly!

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Photos of San Diego Chargers 2015 FanFest.

A kicked football flies into the stands during the 2015 Chargers FanFest.
A kicked football flies into the stands during the 2015 Chargers FanFest.

Today I took the trolley over to Qualcomm Stadium to check out the 2015 Chargers FanFest. San Diego’s NFL team is getting ready for the regular season, and during the popular FanFest a practice session was held in the presence of thousands of fans. Veteran players and those who are striving to make the team demonstrated their skills for coaches and fans alike!

In addition to action on the field, the annual FanFest also included a performance by the San Diego Charger Girls cheerleaders, and autograph sessions with many past and current players.

I didn’t want to miss this event. It’s possible the Chargers might soon leave San Diego and move to Los Angeles. I hope not.

Thousands line up outside San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium to enjoy this year's Chargers FanFest. I saw many Seau jerseys being worn today.
Thousands line up outside San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium to enjoy this year’s Chargers FanFest. I saw many Seau jerseys being worn today.

Save Our Bolts advocate holds up a San Diego Chargers banner for my camera. There's a chance the NFL team will soon leave San Diego.
Save Our Bolts advocate holds up a San Diego Chargers banner for my camera. There’s a chance the NFL team will soon leave San Diego.

San Diego Charger Girls cheerleaders smile as fans enter Qualcomm Stadium for FanFest.
San Diego Charger Girls cheerleaders smile as fans enter Qualcomm Stadium for FanFest.

Chargers faithful line up at a concession stand to get ready for an enjoyable FanFest.
Chargers faithful line up at a concession stand to get ready for an enjoyable FanFest.

Crowd fills field level seats, anticipating a good team practice on a perfect August summer day.
Crowd fills field level seats, anticipating a good team practice on a perfect August summer day.

The old Jumbotron reads Welcome to Chargers FanFest 2015.
The old Jumbotron reads Welcome to Chargers FanFest 2015.

As Chargers fans watch football action on the field, vendors circulate with cotton candy, lemonade and other treats.
As Chargers fans watch football action on the field, vendors circulate with cotton candy, lemonade and other treats.

Today NFL legend Junior Seau was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A banner honoring number 55 hangs high and proudly in Qualcomm Stadium.
Today NFL legend Junior Seau was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A banner honoring number 55 hangs high and proudly in Qualcomm Stadium.

Players on offense, defense and special teams were practicing all over the field, getting ready for the regular season.
Players on offense, defense and special teams were practicing all over the field, getting ready for the regular season.

Cornerback Richard Crawford on the Chargers practice squad catches a kicked ball.
Cornerback Richard Crawford on the Chargers practice squad catches a kicked ball.

Footballs were flying everywhere, including through the goal posts. Rookie kicker Josh Lambo nailed it.
Footballs were flying everywhere, including through the goal posts. Rookie kicker Josh Lambo nailed it.

Awesome field goal wizard Nick Novak limbers up his leg with some easy kicks.
Awesome field goal wizard Nick Novak limbers up his leg with some easy kicks.

Stretching out this valuable player's leg muscles involves professional sports medicine expertise.
Stretching out this valuable player’s leg muscles involves professional sports medicine expertise.

Shirt declares that all grandmas are created equal, but only the coolest wear blue and gold!
Shirt declares that all grandmas are created equal, but only the coolest wear blue and gold!

Superstar quarterback Philip Rivers provides leadership for the team during stretching exercises.
Superstar quarterback Philip Rivers provides leadership for the team during stretching exercises.

Here comes a line of Chargers stepping high during the warm up routine.
Here comes a line of Chargers stepping high during the warm up routine.

Some scrimmaging begins as players face each other and test their skills on the field.
Some scrimmaging begins as players face each other and test their skills on the field.

The pigskin bounces crazily on the grass as Chargers vie for possession.
The pigskin bounces crazily on the grass as Chargers vie for possession.

An animated fan in the stands gestures during the preseason practice session.
An animated fan in the stands gestures during the preseason practice session.

An exciting play near the end zone has players scrambling at full speed.
An exciting play near the end zone has players scrambling at full speed.

After a good workout, players offer some mutual congrats and encouragement.
After a good workout, players offer some mutual congrats and encouragement.

Practice is over, and King Dunlap signs autographs for thrilled fans in the stands.
Practice is over, and King Dunlap signs autographs for thrilled fans in the stands.

Chargers FanFest 2015 was a whole lot of fun. I hope San Diego's NFL team has a great season!
Chargers FanFest 2015 was a whole lot of fun. I hope San Diego’s NFL team has a great season!

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