the board issue

sponge

FALL FASHION ARTIST INTERVIEW: JAMIE HOFFMAN SURF SHOTSJUPITER FALL CLASSIC PREVIEW PROS VS JOES WAKEBOARD CONTEST OCEAN REHAB

NOV-DEC www.SpongeMag.com

CONTENTS

JUPITER FALL CLASSIC PREVIEW

PROS VS JOES WAKEBOARD HIGHLIGHTS

OCEAN REHAB

ARTIST INTERVIEWjamie hoffman

FALL FASHION photo feature

SURF SHOTS

4

10

12

20

24

28

SPONGE MAGAZINE | 5

Artist Interview:

Jamie’s versatile talent in both medium and material produces unique collections of textured beach scenes built from personal experiences. B Y A L L I S O N L L O Y D

Jamie Hoffman

Toes on the Nose

Sponge Magazine: How did you get started doing art/ and discover your style?

Jamie Hoffman: I went to Georgia Southern University and I would draw all day in class and then I would have to study my butt off to make good grades. I started out as a nursing major then decided art was really where I needed to be.

SM: Your skills range from photography and painting to small metals, ceramics, and sculpting. What do you enjoy the most, and is that what you consider your best skill?

JH: There [GSU], I concentrated in ceramics. I was very fortunate to discover a lot of different mediums. Naturally, I enjoyed them all, but I ultimately discovered I really enjoyed painting. It is a great release for me. The experimentation and being able to work with a lot of different paint was all fun for me.

SM: You have very unique collections. When and how do you decide to switch mediums or subjects?

JH: A lot of times I work on different pieces at once. Sometimes current paintings will influence another current painting, or past work will influence current work. I’m really inspired by the coastal lifestyle and the water, and I think the pen and ink really portray a calming, relaxing feeling. I use that with my beachy, coastal feeling. Plus, I use handmade paper, which I feel has that native, local feeling to it.

SM: How does texture play a part in your work?

JH: I work texture into my work. I literally tear and rip at the paper. I guess it depends on what is inspiring the work then I choose my material from there. The Pier

SPONGE MAGAZINE | 7

JH: I have a background in ceramics so I like to feel things. I’ll often deconstruct material to reflect intention in the painting. I love texture. Even if it’s behind glass; just knowing it’s there is enough for me. In college, we were required to take a variety of classes. I was able to take some print making classes, and then I learned how to make paper and what goes into it. I’ve made paper in the past, but a lot of times I’ll purchase handmade paper from people who make it because it is very time consuming. I use paper that is made from seashells, beach sand or papyrus trees. The paper itself has a texture that it gives a very special feeling to the piece I make.

SM: You mention your work expresses personal moments you share with the subject. Is that a necessary part of the creative process? Does that bring special meaning to your work?

JH: Definitely. I find moments in the people that I meet. If I’m down at the beach and I get to talking to someone about surfing or paddle boarding, that influences my work 100% and I’ll use those people to inspire my silhouette. I often use silhouettes because sometimes I think less is more when you’re drawing a figure. But al lot of times, people will recognize themselves. I love to swim in the ocean and surf. I like to go kayaking or sail or just walk on the sand and always be reflecting about my day, so definitely I think the subject has a great impact on my work.

SM: The simplicity of your art allows the viewer to imagine the scene; is it intentional?

JH: Absolutely. You’ll notice I have a lot of different Early Risers. They’re differently

Live the Search 2

shaped figures because they’re different people. I don’t just trace one and make them all the same. I’ll go down to the beach early in the morning and see someone standing there with their board and they’re like waiting, waiting, waiting. The sun comes up and you can see it; they have to go to work, or they have to go to school. They’re just out there for that one moment. I completely understand where they come from. That’s why they all look a little different. I really try to put that person in each one. Even though they’re all kind of the same, each one is very unique.

SM: What is your personal favorite?

JH: The Pier because when I go out I always go with a friend just so I know there’s someone there looking out for me and vice versa. The Pier is just two friends looking for that one spot where they’re going to go in. Even though they know they’re going to drift 50 yards down, they still want to go in right there. I relate to that one the most.

SM: What’s a perfect day to you?

JH: Walking to the beach with my husband Grayson and our two Great Danes, Rider and Bactus. Come back to my house, start a new painting, and finish another while it’s drying, eat sushi and maybe a cookout.

...............................................Check out Jamie’s work online at www.JamieHoffman.com. Jamie is also working with local shaper, Nick Bowers on new designs for his boards shaped with paulownia alaias, a wood that doesn’t absorb saltwater. The boards will be available at Locals Surf Shop and Blueline.

SPONGE MAGAZINE | 9

The 10th annual Jupiter Fall Classic will draw in local surfers and heroes alike for the final stop of the Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series. For the last nine years this growing competition has converged on the tight knit surfing community that is Jupiter and brought along some of the best names in surf from local communities, to neighbors stretched up and down the East Coast. We’ve seen some big names like JFC three-time winner and big wave surfer Baron Knowlton to Peter Mendia, Jason Apparacio and Ryan Helm.

Born of South Florida locals Jim McDow, Jim Helm and Mike Bloom, the contest gives East Coast surfers the opportunity to showcase their skills and take home some

FALL CLASSIC PREVIEWB Y B R O O K E R A I C H

FRI6pm: kick off party @ the amphitheater

prize money, with a purse in the upwards of $25,000 thanks to local and corporate sponsors. The JFC should prove to be the biggest and best contest thus far with live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and an awards ceremony at Guananbanas on Sunday. The winners of both the Jupiter Fall Classic and Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series will receive the prize loot, but the men’s pro will not be the only show of the weekend; women, longboard, grom, paddleboard and the always popular air show will also have their time to shine. A free kid’s surf clinic will also be taking place all weekend as to have a little something for everyone. So let’s pray for some good surf!

SAT7am: surf comp begins6pm: party @ square grouper

JFC Schedule

SUN6pm: closing party and awards ceremony @ guanabanas

3-time JFC winner and big wave surfer Baron KnowltonPhoto: Nico Lugo, www.nicolalugo.com

Get full coverage of the event as it happens online! SpongeMag.comSUN

6pm: closing party and awards ceremony @ guanabanas

SPONGE MAGAZINE | 11

Fall FashionPHOTOS BY JUSTIN RUMBAUGH

Brandi, Casey, and Alina of Boca Surf & Sail show off this season’s must-have looks, South Florida style.

SPONGE MAGAZINE |21SPONGE MAGAZINE | 17

B Y S P E N C E R H I G G S

“These guys are the best in the world. This is who you’re going to be on Fuel TV.”

PROS VS JOES

It’s cold today. But things are warming up at Okeeheelee Park as eleven of the best pro wakeboarders and wakeskaters set up, strap in and get ready to ride with a lucky bunch of South Florida amateurs at the fourth annual Pros

vs. Joes competition, hosted by the South Florida Wake Association. The vibe is a laid-back one, as spectators lie on the grass and sit on the bleachers to watch competitors of all ages and skill levels go absolutely mental off the wake. Right now, local wakeskater Justin Baele is pulling off kick-flips and shove-its, despite the heavy winds. He’s just coming out of a recent injury wherein he simultaneously broke both his ankles, but he’s still showing the crowd how it’s done.

Four years ago, SFWake started Pros vs. Joes as a competition designed to give amateur riders a chance to compete with, and learn from, top professional wakeboarders and wakeskaters. This is what really differentiates this contest from similar pro-am events that are more like meet-and-greets. It has grown wildly from years past with just a few top names on the roster to today, where every pro on the list is a household name in the world of wake.

“What people don’t understand,” says MC and SFWake member Morgan Baer, “is that these guys are the best in the world. This is who you’re going to see on Fuel [TV] and the commercials.” He’s talking about guys like Andrew Adkison (former IWSF World Champ), Rusty (The Bone Crusher) Malinoski, J.D. Webb, Scott Stewart, and Adam Errington, just to name a few. “This is the best event, pro-wise, in the four years of its existence, says Baer. “We were booked two months in advance. They want to come…we don’t pay them, which really shows us they care.”


Robby Holihan

Justin Baele, fresh from the water, jumps on the mic and gets the crowd even more stoked as round one wraps up. After reciting a few rap lyrics and North Shore quotes, he puts it all into perspective for me, explaining that this is the only contest in almost any sport that lets up-and-comers compete with the best in the game. “You don’t get to go to a football game and sit on the bench; you don’t get to go to a basketball game and hang out on the side-lines.” And he’s right. As I head over to the boat dock where the pros hang out before their heat, J.D. Webb and Adam Errington are nonchalantly chatting with family from Kentucky who are just getting into wakeboarding. Their casual and friendly demeanour and their approachableness stoke me out more than the abundance of Moe’s Southwest Grill burritos and free Red Bull. Adam attests to the benefit Pros vs. Joes has on amateur riders, explaining how great it is to come back each year and see the improvement of the returning Joes. “It really gets them into it,” he claims. And for all the Joes out there, Adam says, “just stick with it.”

While the event has obvious benefits for amateur riders, SFWake hopes Pros vs. Joes will have future benefits for the wake scene in Palm Beach County. The association sees the event as another progressive step to putting the county on the wakeboarding and wakeskating map. This area is already known for putting out dominant riders, such

as Steel Lafferty, who threw down massive back-to-back 540’s like it was nothing, but now it looks as though Palm Beach County might get to play host to a pro tour event. “We’re hoping for 2012,” boasts Baer.

Morning waned into afternoon, and afternoon quickly turned into evening. It’s getting cold again, but no one seems to care; the contest results are about to be announced. J.D. Webb takes home a thousand bucks for Best Pro Trick—he busted a gnarly Pete Rose 540, beating out back-to-back 900’s and an attempt at a 1080 by Rusty Malinoski. Third place in the event goes to team Soven, with joe riders Jacob Krigbawn, Juan Mendez, and Tracy Baynham. Second is awarded to team Webb, with joes Troy Wynne, Robby Holiham, and Jake Baynham. And, while everyone absolutely killed it out there, its team Malinoski, with joe riders Dan Kubes, Sofia Mendez and Brandon Wood that gets to raise their heads the highest. Seven-year-old Sofia describes the opportunity to ride with her all-time favourite pro with a simple “cool.” As for Rusty, he says “its fun [competing with amateurs]. You get to get out there and cheer them on. It’s a cool vibe… I’ll be back next year for sure.” And we can’t wait to see what next year holds as far as tricks, giveaways, joes and pros. If it’s anything like this year, it will certainly go down as a not-to-be-missed event.

Rusty Malinoski

SPONGE MAGAZINE |23

Rusty Malinoski, Brandon Wood, Dan Kubes, Sofia MendezSteel Lafferty

oceanrehab B Y A L L I S O N L L O Y D

P H O T O S : PA U L A C . B R AV O

Florida reefs are healthy.Trick question; we don’t know. Think of it this way: watching a young tree grow day after day won’t stun you nearly as much as if you saw it with a one year absence. The same philosophy applies to reefs, where changes occur over many lifetimes. With no established “baseline”, we don’t officially know the current state of our reefs in relation to its existence.

Baselines are an important point of reference to monitor an ecosystem’s health and measure progression. The problem remains that we do not know what our reefs looked like before human detriment was placed on it. This idea can be described with the term “shifting baseline”, in which changes have occurred against the original state.

It is estimated that South Florida reefs have experienced an 80% decline in overall health since 1998. With changing water temperatures and increased agriculture, our waters are seeing massive swarms of jellyfish, algae blooms, and over-nutrient-enriched runoff water. These blooms, or

sudden spurts, of jellyfish and algae are a sign of poor health and can harm ocean swimmers, divers, and surfers.

The 2010-2011 Florida Reef Project will be a monumental movement towards a healthier ocean, bringing recreational divers and scientists together to survey 100 sites from the Port St. Lucie Inlet to the Lower Keys. The baseline will act as a before photo to the effects of future actions, including agriculture.

“Agriculture can be a terrifying thing for reefs,” explains William Djubin, Founder of Ocean Rehab. Runoff from industrial agriculture and fertilizers can contain large amounts of nitrogen, ammonium, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphorus, which when reaches the ocean, throws off the balance of water, creating an environment that is too rich in nutrients. It becomes a breeding ground for algae and eventually strips out the oxygen that fish and other life forms need to survive.

William explains that they “are in a race to get this project done [where the results] can give factual scientific data that will show that maybe we need to slow down or look in a different direction.” The Gulf oil spill was a case in point, in which a previous baseline would have given

True or False:


scientific data to measure damage. “The Gulf oil spill just gives us more of a reason and substantiates the necessity of this project.”

Methodologies from Reef Check, a conservation group protecting tropical coral reefs, will be used to train the divers and establish the baseline. Indicator species (fishes, invertebrates, and substrates) will be measured at each of the 100 sites to understand the overall health of South Florida reefs, which will be revisited the following year for water quality monitoring

and sedimentary sampling to get an even better look at the reef’s health.

William stresses that “every reef should have the opportunity to be protected, and possibly be designated a critical habitat.”

C. BRAVO

Take an Active Role in Conserving Our ReefsThe 2010-2011 Florida Reef Project will lead 600 recreational divers through a 3-day training course to become certified eco-divers and be obligated to make 2 survey dives for the Project. William is eager to spread scientific thought to recreational divers, providing them with knowledge to share with others. He believes the project “will create the largest diving community in Florida by 2012.”

Progression of the Project can be followed at www.OceanRehab.org, where an interactive map will indicate each site visited with its’ name, GPS location, and link to the Reef Check database. Divers interested in getting involved can also find information regarding training and dive requirements


C. BRAVO

Novembe r 13, 2010: A l ow p r e s su r e sy s t em o f f t h e c oa s t b r ough t a swe l l t ha t push ed up wav e s i n ex c e s s o f 10 fe e t .

November 13, 2010: A low pressure system off the coast brought a swell that pushed up waves in excess of 10 feet.

system off the coast brought a swell that pushed up waves in excess of 10 feet.

November 13, 2010: A low pressure system off the coast brought a swell that pushed up waves in excess of 10 feet. November 13, 2010: A low pressure system off the coast brought a swell that pushed up waves in excess of 10 feet.

low pressure system off the coast brought a swell that pushed up waves in excess of 10 feet.

STAFF

EDITORallison [email protected]

SPECIAL THANKSboca surf and sail

WRITERSbrooke raichspencer higgs

PHOTOGRAPHERS justin rumbaughpaula c. bravo

E

W

P

S

SEND YOUR [email protected]

the board issue

Documents

i s o n

current work

past work

lot of different mediums

special feeling

coastal feeling

lot of different paint

relaxing feeling