Surfline recently added a Rincon-facing camera mounted in the community of La Conchita. Members of the local surf community are organizing for its removal and are urging others to support the removal as well. The community members understand that Rincon, the Queen of the Coast, is a public place, open for anyone to enjoy. Our complaint isn’t that Rincon is for “locals only"—we are well aware that this jewel of California is widely known and loved and that surfers come from all over to enjoy the wintertime waves. But the imposition of a live-stream camera puts added pressure on an already overcrowded break. 

Surfline has a long-established model of surf-cams, and many of us use those and the forecasting tools as well. But regarding Rincon, can no stone be left unturned? Must video surveillance be installed everywhere until the entire coast is live-streamed continually? 

Every surfer knows the joy of scoring waves when the wind has switched unexpectedly, or the forecasted swell arrives a day early or late. While Rincon's proximity to the highway may make it seem like an easy spot to access or check, there is realistically some effort, knowledge, and commitment involved in scoring on these days. We request that the La Conchita camera be taken down to keep the chances of scoring those moments of relatively uncrowded, natural surfing magic, alive. Let's leave the next generation with the opportunity to experience an unpredicted swell, an uncrowded-ish session, or an unplugged surf check. Remember what those days were like? 

We believe there is something inherently undemocratic to a company moving ahead with an agenda that runs counter to the wishes of the affected community. Just because an individual or entity can do something, it doesn’t mean that they should. Looking forward a decade, will you be grateful to have given up a sacred surf spot in order to line the pockets of a corporate entity, or will you be glad to have a world-class wave that still retains a sense of awe and integrity seldom left in the surf world?

Out of respect for those who live here—and those who dream of surfing here—help us keep some Rincon mystery and mystique alive. And to those who do not call this coastline home, we invite you to come and enjoy Rincon with us in a spirit of aloha, as Duke Kahanamoku would have wanted us to. 

Long live the Queen.