Tag: piers

TV star Chris Guinto’s top secret sand sculpture!

World Masters Class sand sculptures prepped on San Diego's B Street Pier.
World Masters Class sand sculptures prepped on San Diego’s B Street Pier.

Early this morning, before going to work, I headed down to the Embarcadero to check out preparations for two big events that are coming this Labor Day weekend. One of those events is the 2014 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge, which will be held on the pier by the cruise ship terminal!

I noticed those sculptures that I took pictures of on Sunday are now completed. I also observed that the mounds of loose sand that the World Masters will sculpt this weekend have been enclosed in very mysterious-looking wooden frames.

As I took pics down the pier, a gentleman came striding along with some tools. I asked if he was a sculptor. He said yes. His name was Chris.

One competitor arrives at his future work of art by cruise ship terminal.
One competitor arrives at his future work of art by cruise ship terminal.

I spoke for a bit and learned he’d been creating sand sculptures since he was a kid on the beach, and that one could make a full-time living in such work. These unique works of art are popular at corporate events, public events, weddings and special occasions.

Chris said that some of the best sand artists would be competing from around the world, from places like the Netherlands, Singapore and Italy. He affirmed that this competition was one of the best in the world. I asked him about his own sculpture, and he said it’s a secret!

I didn’t know it at the time, but I learned with a little research that I had spoken with Chris Guinto, of Key West, Florida, a world class sand sculptor who has starred in several acclaimed television shows! His work has been a central feature of ‘Sand Masters’, ‘Sand Wars’ and ‘Sand Blasters’ on the Travel and Discovery Channels! All I can say is he was super friendly and very cool!

It's Chris Guinto, star of several shows on the Travel and Discovery Channels!
It’s Chris Guinto, star of several shows on the Travel and Discovery Channels!
While Chris gets to work, I walk to see finished sculptures created last Sunday.
While Chris gets to work, I walk to see finished sculptures created last Sunday.
In my blog post from Sunday, you could see the eagle head being formed!
In my blog post from Sunday, you could see the eagle head being formed!
The sand truck looks unfinished and rather odd to me.
The sand truck looks unfinished and rather odd to me.
The San Diego skyline sculpture promotes new MTS Rapid bus route.
The San Diego skyline sculpture promotes new MTS Rapid bus route.
Chris has a tripod up, and now I say good luck and head for the trolley.
Chris has a tripod up, and now I say good luck and head for the trolley.

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Dog athletes surf big waves at Imperial Beach!

Dogs and their human pals arrive at the big surfing competition.
Dogs and their human pals arrive at the big surfing competition.

I’d never seen a dog surf in my entire life. Not until today.

Now I’ve seen a whole pack of dogs surfing.

Yes, I have to admit it. I couldn’t resist heading down to the big Surfdog event at Imperial Beach today. This year it was sponsored by Unleashed by Petco. In the past it was called Loews Coronado Bay Surf Dog Competition.

What? Some of you have never seen a dog athlete mount a surfboard and skillfully ride mighty ocean breakers?

Seeing is believing…

It's the epic Surfdog event everyone has waited for!
It’s the epic Surfdog summer event everyone has waited for!
Finishing touches put on a sand sculpture at Imperial Beach.
Finishing touches are put on a sand sculpture at Imperial Beach.
This dog can hardly wait to watch the intense action!
This dog can hardly wait to watch the intense animal action!
Information boards outline the various heats in the surf contest.
Information boards outline the various heats in the big surf contest.
Announcer readies for incredible pooch performances.
Announcer readies for some incredible pooch performances.
The VIP section fills and so does the beach and pier.
The VIP section fills and so does the beach and pier.
Dogs and non-dogs at water's edge have a great spot to watch.
Dogs and non-dogs at water’s edge have a great place to watch.
These guys want a great spot on the pier to view the action.
These guys want a great spot on the pier to view the action.
Everyone is ready for the first freestyle heat!
Everyone is ready for the first exciting freestyle heat!
This fellow doesn't seem to know what's going on.
This little fellow doesn’t seem to know what’s going on.
Surfing contestants mount their surfboards waiting for the horn.
Surfing contestants mount their surfboards waiting for the starting horn.
The crowd favorite, a superstar, poses for my camera.
The crowd favorite, a genuine superstar, poses for my camera.
The horn blows and the first fifteen minute heat begins!
The horn blows and the first fifteen minute heat begins!
The crowd converges toward the water in disbelief.
The crowd converges on the ocean in disbelief.
One four-legged athlete is already out near the breakers.
One four-legged athlete is already out near the breakers.
Here come two canine athletes showing great form!
Here come two canine athletes showing great form!
Steady as she goes!
Steady as she goes!
Hot dogging it and hanging twenty!
Hot dogging it and hanging twenty!
Wow, those amazing surfers are absolutely inhuman!
Wow, those incredible, amazing surfers are absolutely inhuman!
Thousands enjoy Unleashed by Petco's surf dog event!
Thousands enjoy Unleashed by Petco’s surf dog event!

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Walking out on Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach.

Archway of Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages at end of Garnet Avenue.
Archway of Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages at end of Garnet Avenue.

Many years ago (decades actually), I used to occasionally go fishing from Crystal Pier. It’s located in Pacific Beach, at the west end of Garnet Avenue, which I strolled along in my last blog post.

While it isn’t a very long pier, it’s definitely one hundred percent cool. One reason is because fishing from Crystal Pier is both free and amazingly productive. While I never seemed to catch anything but mackerel, I remember seeing nice catches of bonito, rock fish, sea bass, barracuda, guitar fish, sharks and even halibut! (One nice thing about pier fishing in San Diego is you legally don’t need a fishing license.)

Why else is this pier super cool? Because there are small cottages built right on it! The historic Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages was built in 1930. Once known as Pickering’s Pleasure Pier, for a short time the privately owned pier featured a Crystal Ballroom and carnival midway out at its end!

If I were a tourist visiting San Diego, I’d absolutely want to stay here. At night the pier is closed to the public, and you can lie in bed listening to the ocean waves below. During the day you have easy access to the famous Pacific Beach boardwalk, which I’ll show you in my next blog post!

One of the small, quaint cottages actually on the pier!
One of the small, quaint cottages actually on the pier!
Looking along the short pier past fishermen and visitors.
Looking along the short pier past fishermen and visitors.
Turning back eastward toward the cottages.
Turning back eastward toward the cottages.
Surfers below Crystal Pier floating and waiting on their surfboards.
Surfers below Crystal Pier floating and waiting on their surfboards.
This surfer caught a good ride on a nice wave.
This surfer caught a good ride on a nice wave.
This pic shows fishing, surfing and the beach.
This pic shows fishing, surfing and the beach.
Leaving Crystal Pier, to walk down the Pacific Beach boardwalk.
Leaving Crystal Pier, to walk down the Pacific Beach boardwalk.

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Some cool pics of the Imperial Beach pier.

Abstract surfboards welcome people to Imperial Beach pier.
Abstract surfboards welcome people to Imperial Beach pier. This public art is titled Surfhenge, by local artist Malcolm Jones.

Imperial Beach lies south of downtown San Diego, at the extreme southwest corner of the continental United States. The Imperial Beach pier is just a few miles from Mexico. This beach community is a perfect example of laid-back southern California, mostly just locals kicking back, a smattering of tourists, and a good vibe all around. The days are sunny and people are friendly.

Come stroll with me toward the pier and let’s see what’s going on!

Colorful surfboard arches frame a pier visitor.
Colorful acrylic surfboard arches frame a pier visitor. Surfhenge was dedicated in 1999.
Lifeguard tower behind palm trees and flags.
Lifeguard tower behind palm trees and flags.
Benches near the pier are made of surfboards!
Benches near the pier are made of many different style surfboards, representing different eras of the sport.
Imperial Beach pier beckons from the sand.
Imperial Beach pier beckons from the sand.
A few people on the beach on a spring weekday morning.
A few people on the beach on a spring weekday morning.
Looking down the length of the Imperial Beach pier.
Looking down the length of the Imperial Beach pier.
Fisherman cuts bait at one of the public sinks.
Fisherman cuts bait at one of the public sinks.
Gazing down at the blue Pacific on a nice day.
Gazing down at the blue Pacific on a nice day.
Approaching the Tin Fish restaurant at the end of the pier.
Approaching the Tin Fish restaurant at the end of the pier.
Window of Tin Fish restaurant at end of Imperial Beach pier.
Window of Tin Fish restaurant at end of Imperial Beach pier.
Pier pilings rise from an emerald ocean.
Pier pilings rise from an emerald ocean.

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Surfers ride waves near Imperial Beach pier.

Surfer rides a wave just below the Imperial Beach pier.
Surfer rides a wave just below the Imperial Beach pier.

Wow! Check out this first cool pic! Did that come out great, or what?

I’m in the middle of my week off from work, and today I went to Coronado again and biked down the Silver Strand to Imperial Beach. I’ve got more photos than you can shake a stick at!

What a beautiful day. I stood on the pier at a spot between the beach and breaking waves and tried to photograph a group of surfers below. Most of action was too far away for my little camera, but a few pics seem worth sharing…

Surfers wait for the perfect wave near Imperial Beach pier.
Surfers wait for the perfect wave near Imperial Beach pier.
Surfer gets ready to go for a ride.
Surfer gets ready to go for a ride.
Surfer riding a nice wave on a sunny day.
Surfer riding a nice wave on a sunny day.
Guy on surfboard just coasting along the foamy ocean surface.
Guy on surfboard just coasting along the foamy ocean surface.
No fishing in the surf zone on Imperial Beach pier.
No fishing in the surf zone on Imperial Beach pier.

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Shelter Island pier, photos and reflections.

Shelter Island pier seems to stand on watery reflections.
Shelter Island pier seems to stand on watery reflections.

The above photo of the Shelter Island pier is interesting to me.  I like how the angled concrete pilings, reflected on San Diego Bay, seem to project in three dimensions downward into the rippled water.

The light blue structure that you see is vacant.  In the past it has been the home of a small fishing store and cafe.  To its left you can see an aircraft hangar at Naval Air Station North Island.

Distant Coronado Islands seen beyond the Shelter Island pier.
Distant Coronado Islands seen beyond the Shelter Island pier.

When you stand on Shelter Island and gaze south beyond the pier, you can spy the distant Coronado Islands on a clear day.

The Coronado Islands (not to be confused with nearby Coronado) are four barren islets just west of Tijuana, Mexico.  The home of numerous sea birds, sea lions and sea elephants, they are mostly uninhabited.  A few Mexican caretakers live on the largest island and maintain a modest lighthouse.

Fisherman at one end of Shelter Island pier.
Fisherman at one end of Shelter Island pier.

Delightful heaps of junk on a working pier.

Solitary float on a pile of rusted rebar.
Solitary float on a pile of rusted rebar.

Tuna Harbor’s G Street Pier is one of my favorite places in San Diego.  The views of downtown and the bay are magnificent.  There are birds for company and swaying boats on all sides.  There are lobster traps stacked, nets in huge mounds, and heaps of amazing junk.

Take a look!

Ropes and chains in a delightful tangle.
Ropes and rusted chains in a delightful tangle.
Just a bunch of junk on Tuna Harbor Pier.
Just a bunch of junk on the Tuna Harbor pier.
Looking beyond colorful garbage at boats in the harbor.
Looking beyond colorful garbage at boats in the harbor.
Broken pallets lean against mound of nets covered in plastic.
Broken pallets lean against mound of nets covered in plastic.
Detached boat structure on pier frames San Diego skyscrapers.
Detached boat structure on pier frames San Diego skyscrapers.
Colorful floats scattered on Tuna Harbor Pier.
Colorful floats scattered on the public pier.
Adopt a Beach garbage can overflows on a pier.
Adopt a Beach garbage can overflows on the G Street Pier.
A working pier can resemble a chaotic junkyard.
A working pier can resemble a chaotic junkyard.
A leaf rake lies atop a ball of nets and ropes.
A leaf rake lies atop a ball of nets and ropes.
A large weed grows out of old nets on a working pier.
A large weed grows out of a small hill of old nets.
A beautiful image of sinuous yellow floats.
A beautiful image of sinuous yellow floats on a seine net.

Just another lazy day in sunny San Diego.

A tourist rental quadcycle heads down the park's pathway.
A tourist rental quadcycle heads past boats in the Marriott Marina.

A sunny Saturday afternoon in San Diego.  A perfect time to enjoy life!

Lots of people were out at Embarcadero Marina Park South making the most of the holiday weekend.  During my walk I noticed a number of Zonies (visitors from Arizona) wearing ASU gear–their team will play in the Holiday Bowl on Monday.

Here are a few more miscellaneous photos:

Basketball game at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Basketball game at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Boy fishes with dad on Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.
Boy fishes with dad on Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.
Heading to the pier with a bunch of fishing rods.
Heading to the pier with a bunch of fishing rods.

Beautiful color and art at Broadway Pier.

Roof of Broadway Pier Port Pavilion and clouds in blue sky.
Roof of Broadway Pier’s beautiful Port Pavilion and clouds in blue sky.

I really like the above photo.  That’s the rooftop of the relatively new Port Pavilion at San Diego’s Broadway Pier.  I got this colorful pic while standing to the south on nearby Navy Pier.

Until recently the Broadway Pier was a bit barren.  Years ago I remember a small two-level observation structure in the middle, with some potted trees arranged about it.

The pier itself was built in 1919.  It has been used by the Navy, the local fishing fleet, and even the royal yacht Britannia during a visit in 1983 by Queen Elizabeth.  Today the pavilion accommodates special events and cruise ships.

Broadway Pier and downtown San Diego skyscrapers.
Broadway Pier and downtown San Diego skyscrapers.

This second photo puts that rooftop in context.  What a gorgeous December day!

Here comes a third pic taken on a summer day. The silvery stainless steel artwork on the building’s facade was created by internationally renowned artist and lighting designer Leni Schwendinger. It’s called Tidal Radiance.

The shining public art appears like sunlight reflected from rippling water. It also lights up at night.

Front of Broadway Pier structure faces Harbor Drive.
Tidal Radiance on front of Port Pavilion, facing Harbor Drive.

Here’s another pic taken on a later day just for fun…

Pier pilings, harbor cruise boat and the beautiful pavilion.
Water, pier piles, harbor cruise boat and the beautiful pavilion.

And, finally, two more! The last photo, taken in early October 2014, shows colorful umbrellas and tables recently added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.

Very nice!

Altered photo of the glittering Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.
Altered photo of the glittering Tidal Radiance.
Tables and umbrellas have been added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.
Tables and umbrellas have been added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.

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Lobster traps with ropes and colorful floats.

lobster traps with ropes and colorful floats

I love cool photographs that contain all sorts of color. Visual color and local color. The above pic does both!

These lobster traps are stacked on Tuna Harbor Pier, which stretches into San Diego Bay from the G Street Mole. You can see the tops of downtown skyscrapers jutting at the very top of the picture.

If I were a fisherman, I’d be happy to spend a good chunk of my life enjoying the sights from this wonderful pier!

Aiming my camera through a line of new traps.
Aiming my camera through a line of new traps.
A rainbow of colors inside a steel cage.
A rainbow of colors inside a steel cage.
A lobster trap, rope and float framed by the clear blue sky.
A lobster trap, rope and float framed by the clear blue sky.
Another view, from above.
Another view, from above.
I could post a hundred photos like this!
I could post a hundred photos like this!
Here are some light purple floats dangling in a line.
Here are some light purple floats dangling in a line.
Bricks weigh down traps so they lie at the water's bottom.
Bricks weigh down traps so they lie at the water’s bottom.
Cool pic through a long, complex row of lobster traps.
Cool pic through a long, complex row of lobster traps.
Wall of lobster traps on Tuna Harbor Pier.
Wall of lobster traps on Tuna Harbor Pier.

This last photo was taken from the pier near Seaport Village:

Gazing out at a sailboat on San Diego Bay.
Gazing out at a sailboat on San Diego Bay.