Locals After Dark

by Mark Tiedemann
(H.B. Ca.)

To bad the H.B. pier broke apart back in the 80's. Huntington Beach pier at night used to be the bomb. 10' to 12' glassy, bright lights with about a 50 yard visibility. Nobody out, except us locals. You had to shoot the pier on every wave just to keep from being creamed or lost in the darkness. Getting stuck inside was an unforgivable hazard. It would cost you a 30 minute trip to the end of the pier for 30' free-fall to get back outside the sets. (Oh yeah, don't forget to throw your board first) or you might end up with a broken shoulder. Well, I guess thats why they didn't put the same light towers back in the new pier. It was always good for a huge crowd of well wishers and mayhem mongers from up on top. The pier is the only spot that doesn't close out after 8' to 9', but the price is high if you misjudge a column cuz they are staggered. Definitely not for the week or meek.

Mark Tiedemann