Hanging out and hanging ten Photos and story by Don Leach

featureWhen the days are slow and the surf is up, I like to head down to Blackie's and watch the show unfold -- some surfers bring the classic surf style and others are just starting out. Generally, I watch the point of land where Newport Boulevard meets the sand. It's easy access, a place where the world can see a slice of the Southern California surf culture -- the beach next to the pier.It's also the one spot long boarders can go to show off their vintage surf skills when "it's on." Bodysurfers have the Wedge and the short boarders have the barreling jetties.

Ironically it's the younger generation that seems to show off the old school moves the best, riding classic shapes by surfer Dano, a local shaper.

It's a spot where a junior can paddle out for the first time and safely catch a wave. After school and as the sun starts to set, grommets beg to stay out for just one more. Mom stands on the beach with her arms crossed, pointing at her watch.

It's a place where you can hang

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(continued from page A1), your wetsuit from a parking meter or a car window to let it drip dry while you sit in the bed of your truck eating a sandwich.

Girlfriends look for boyfriends in the water, and fathers teach sons and daughters to ride the waves and respect the ocean.

So close to Newport Boulevard, the mid-week lunch crowd gets a perfect seat as they park and avoid seagulls that rip through takeout boxes and bags left behind.

Once in a while, a 57 Chevy cruises the north end of the lot, complementing the vintage boards being surfed in the water. It's a classic place.

Blackie's is about fun and getting in the water. There's never a need to worry about getting pounded by the waves, or about performance level -- its all about having fun, showing off skills or gaining new ones. And when it's on, it's not a bad wave either.