surf

The 32-mile Catalina Classic is one of the most grueling endurance contests on the planet — an ultra-marathon of the sea — and an annual rite of passage in Southern California surf culture.

The National Weather Service has issued a gale warning and high surf advisory across the coast in Northern California, calling the ocean conditions hazardous, especially for inexperienced mariners and those operating small vessels.

These bamboo-fabric socks with a serious 1970s vibe and “SRF LA” print would channel big California energy even if they didn’t have a deep connection to SoCal surf culture.

In many ways, the debate about whether this particular event somehow went too far in celebrating the very hate and rage it seeks to help it surf to a victory next week is almost too on-the-nose to be believed.

The islands therefore have a flourishing tourism economy from surf camps and travel agencies that offer foreign surfers guided trips.