WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

It’s looks like we got one of the best Christmas presents we could get with the toll road getting shut down last week.

The earlier decision by the California Coastal Commission to not let the Transportation Corridor Agency build the toll road through the San Onofre State Park and over the San Mateo Creek that leads out to the classic surf break called Trestles was upheld Dec. 18. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez stuck with the earlier verdict to the likes of many surfers and environmentalists that was appealed. It was deemed the project wasn’t necessary in the interest of National Security and there were other possible alternative routes, plus it would also violate California Coastal law. Groups like the Surfrider Foundation, Friends of the Foothill’s and Sierra Club put a lot of time and effort into the affair and the two public meetings, plus the big turnout by the people themselves voicing there dislikes, were a great help to the final out come and victory. This decision makes it nearly impossible for the TCA to move forward with the project. There’s no doubt the project would have adversely affected the flow of the creek, with sediment and dirty water quality, plus noise pollution in a wilderness area, and affected all the animals that live in the area too, not to mention all the folks who just love the area the way it is.

More news, the big showdown this year in the Sunset League saw the Edison Chargers defeat the Huntington Beach Oilers two out of three surf events this 2008 season to take the Sunset Surfing title. The Oilers won the first contest at R.J.’s, then Edison won at the Huntington Beach Pier and at R.J.’s, to finish with an overall record of 9-1. This is the first time, since, well it’s hard to remember that far back, since they’ve possibly beaten the Oilers when now world tour star Timmy Reyes was there six or seven years ago. Edison’s team this year is pretty well-rounded in all divisions with short board standouts — Jessie Steelman, Clay Crandel, co-captains Matt Payne and Vance Smith, plus Jeremy Jennings and up-and-coming freshman Tony Morelli surfing really well. But they also have hot long boarder Jeff Newell, the league MVP and winner at the All Star meet a week ago, plus another long board standout Shaun Tomson.

This year’s talent for the gals in short board is Anise Guzman, another league MVP and winner at the All Star meet, and girls long board ripper Tess Lustbaum and Cathy Vasquez going big time too. And they have the top body boarder in the Sunset league with Derek Faas on the team. Coaches Zoran Forgiarini and Jans Baltgalvis will see how this talented squad will do at the Nationals in June when it’s all on the line for some good fun.

That’s it for now, Merry Christmas, Fig over and out!

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.