'Surf City USA' is not in Hawai'i, Dr. Beach says
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Stephen P. Leatherman — the usually sensible "Dr. Beach" who gives high-ratings to Hawai'i beaches in his annual top 10 list — has told the Los Angeles Times that the nation's top surfing beach is Huntington Beach, Calif.
Best overall beach: Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui Best beach for nightlife: South Beach, Miami Beach. Best surfing beach: Huntington Beach, Calif. Best beach for walking: Kiawah Island, S.C. Best wilderness beach: Shishi Beach, Olympic National Park, Wash. Best sports beach: Kailua Beach Park, O'ahu Best small-town beach: Rehoboth Beach, Del. Best city beach: Santa Cruz, Calif. Best people-watching beach: Venice Beach, Calif.
Leatherman, reached at his home in Florida last night, anticipated a Hawai'i caller's question. "Why Huntington Beach versus say, anywhere along Waimea Bay, right?"
Dr. Beach's favorites
Well, duh.
He said he chose it not because a seasoned surfer would call it a prime spot, but because novices would.
"Huntington is safer. The waves are not as big. You don't have to be a top professional to surf there. You don't have to be fearless."
Huntington, which owns the trademark "Surf City USA," has the ambiance of a surfing beach without the terror of Waimea's "mountainous surf," he said.
"O'ahu's north shore has the greatest big-time surfing in the world," he said. "We all know that. But for overall surfing — for kids — Huntington Beach is a lot safer.
Hawai'i residents should take heart. His annual top 10 list is due this week and "I think you'll be happy in Hawai'i," Leatherman said.
Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
