Keeping it Local with 91x’s Rowley — The move to OB and the “Paddle for Clean Water” Festival

2008's Paddle for Clean Water in OB (photo from 'bakudai' via Flikr)

Wow, it’s been a while since you have heard from me. Well, life gets busy sometimes and it’s hard to plop myself down in front of the computer and type away. But now I have plenty to say.

I moved! I moved to Ocean Beach. It is a beautiful thing when I can surf, go to the store, grab a pitcher or two or three with some friends at a happy hour and then see a show at Winston’s without even having to throw my truck into drive. Walking/biking is my new favorite thing to do.  Like I said, it’s a beautiful thing.

But speaking of Ocean Beach, there is an amazing event coming up that everyone needs to know about. On Sunday, September 13, the Surfrider Foundation will be holding its 18th annual Paddle For Clean Water Festival at the Ocean Beach Pier.

You haven’t heard of it? Well it’s an event that brings thousands to the beach to bring awareness to keeping our oceans and beaches clean. At 10am, thousands will be hitting the water and paddling around the OB Pier. It really is an amazing sight. Each year it gets bigger and bigger.

Okay, so why is the music guy talking about an environmental event? Well, once you are done paddling around the OB pier, you can enjoy a FREE concert with an amazing line-up right there at the parking lot at the end of Newport!

Presented by the Surfrider Foundation and 91X, the line-up includes performances by The Professors, Pullman Standard, C-Money and The Players, Tribal Seeds, and Iration! What a line-up! Did I mention it’s free?

Everyone performing is from San Diego except Iration. They are from Hawaii and they sold out the House of Blues on their last visit to San Diego … very excited to see them.

Tribal Seeds are really making a name for themselves in the local reggae scene. Their CD release show at SOMA in June also sold out. A sold out reggae show at a venue with no bar? Holy Smokes! They are that good.

C-Money and The Players may sound like a new band, but they are familiar faces. C-Money plays trumpet in a little band from Ocean Beach called SLIGHTLY STOOPID. Heard of them? That’s what I thought. “The Players” also consist of members of Slightly Stoopid. So you know it’s going to be a fuzzy good time. Kicking off the show are my pals in Pullman Standard and The Professors — A couple of really great local acts.

So as you can see, Ocean Beach is the place to be on September 13 for the Surfrider Foundation’s “Paddle for Clean Water” event. Get out to the pier early and get a good stretch in for the paddle because the OB pier is the longest pier on the west coast, fun little fact for you.

And once you have washed up onto the shower from your 1/3 mile paddle, grab a beer in the beer garden and enjoy a free show from an amazing line-up right there in the parking lot at the end of Newport Ave.

You can find out all the details on the show and how you can become involved in your local Surfrider chapter at www.surfridersd.org, and don’t forget to tune into Loudspeaker on 91X to hear music that is made right here in San Diego. It airs every Sunday night from 8-10pm. Till next time, keep supporting local!