Surf Disturbance by Captain Soncho, Devin Briggs, Grant Hatfield, and Ed Templeton.
Published by Deadbeat Club, 2013.
Softcover, 32pg. color and B&W
8.5" x 7"
Edition of 400 - Signed by Ed Templeton
In the summer of 1986 photographer Nick Waplington shot 24 frames of a riot that broke out at the OP Pro Surf contest. Many years later he put out a book with Little Big Man Books of those 24 frames titled Surf Riot.
So here we are in 2013, the Vans US Open of Surfing had come to an end without a hitch. Deanna Templeton and myself were on the scene after shooting photos all day. The beach was closed off and crowds creeped up onto Main street, which was blocked off to traffic creating an entire street long party. People milled about while the days alcohol was setting in. A fight broke out in front of Jack's at the corner of Main and Pacific Coast Highway. The police swarmed in and broke it up, but some unruly kids tried to skirmish with the police. In response, the HBPD shut down PCH and secured the intersection. Meanwhile, another fight broke out further up Main street, and the throngs of youth stampeded to watch. Deanna and I among them. That fight ended, but another one started quickly, and I found myself in the middle of an undulating mob of sweaty people maneuvering for a look. Essentially I was in a mosh pit - and it made it hard to get a good light reading and a focus to get off a good shot. I witnessed a fight of at least five people just slugging away at whatever was in front of them. The delight in the faces of the crowd at this violent entertainment was disturbing. This on and off fighting had been going on for a half hour now with no police intervention at all, and the swarm was whipped up into a frenzy. I had felt this frenzy before; I knew another riot was about to happen. When we saw the police gathering on a side street donning riot gear, we decided to get out of there. It was my birthday, and i wanted to have a better night. But Grant, Devin, and Soncho were on the scene to capture the "Disturbance" as the TV news called it. It was not big enough to be called a riot. It was essentially a bunch of angst ridden suburban kids who were looking for any excuse to break shit. So in response to the book Surf Riot, we offer Surf Disturbance. - Ed Templeton