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Press Release
Flash Back-Flash Forward
An interview with Greg Brogdon a lifetime Southern California/South Bay resident who surfed and skated in the circles of Dogtown greats.
Q: What was life like back in the day?
A: Well, I guess I'll start from junior high school. I hung out with Curt Cortum, Chris Chaput and his brother. Laura Thornhill was friends of our families and lived up the hill from us.
Every chance we had, we skated, surfed, or looked for other forms of entertainment. Most of which meant trouble of some sorts. Moving into high school, Curt, Chris, & laura were sponsored skaters. Chris was world champion freestylist I think as was Laura or close to it. Every day we would search the south bay for places to skate e.g. looking in back yards for empty swimming pools. This was pre-skate park days. It wouldn't take long before Paralta (Stacy) and his gang would show up or the cops which ever came first. It was pretty crazy skating peoples pools when they weren't home. You'd always be on the lookout and ready to jump the fence and RUN. Sometimes you ran and left your board and equipment sitting there to avoid getting busted, going to jail, and/or your parents finding out.
This photo was taken in Arizona. They were building the California Aqueduct some time around 1978. Greg Ayres got a cover shot and some magazine photos here. I remember Curt, and I surfing perfect Newport in the morning, picking his brother up and driving out to Blyth to search for these pipes. These pipes were 22' in diameter and it took a lot of energy just to pump your way from one side to the next. We spent days skating in the scorching sun. We'd have to wait in the lurches for the workmen to leave so we could skate. We finally found some pipes away from the manufacturing plant and we camped here for a couple days (photo) and skated our brains out.
Q: That sounds pretty amazing, any past regrets?
A: Well...as much as I loved skating, it took a toll on my body. I had total knee reconstruction and it has limited my mobility at times especially getting up and down the cliffs in Palos Verde's. Looking back at life there are always things you'd do differently if given the chance to repeat them. I have a list.
Q: So, tell us a little bit about yourself, what are you doing now and how does your invention contribute to the sport you love?
A: I worked as an Aircraft Mechanic then moved into Aerospace for about fifteen years. I changed careers got my degree in clinical dietetics, and have worked in health education for Kaiser Permanente, YMCA, Beach Cities Health District, and others. I'm currently pursuing my MBA. I've always had a passion for the youth and served as a youth pastor for several years where I met my wife.
I formed a company called (what else) Love 2 Surf. As a truck owner, I found that there was nothing on the market to suit my needs. So I designed and patented an inexpensive, state of the art, functional sport rack system for my own personal use. The L2S Sports Rack Brackets® are unique in that they create a rack system that mounts to standard truck bed/deck rails &/or tie down attachments allowing full use of the open truck bed. The system sits above the open bed frame and is easily adjusted and/or removed by sliding them out of the deck rails (Toyota® trucks). It can easily adjust to a variety of rack needs to allow for snow boards, skis, surfboards: long boards and short boards, wind surfers, bikes, kayaks, cargo boxes and more. The L2S Sports Rack Brackets® enable the utilization of the manufactures standard features &/or accessories (i.e. Toyota® Tie Downs &/or Deck Rails). With the addition of a crossbar accessory of choice (e.g. Thule®, Yakima®) it easily transforms the truck bed into a utility rack carrying system. There is no need for additional clips, clamps, springs, or locks like roof and bed attachment counterparts. The round or rectangular holed brackets attach commonly sold crossbars to complete the rack system. You will love this system and find it fully functional and versatile for all sports equipment and can mount to all truck beds.
Q: That's pretty cool, congratulations. Where can we buy these?
A: Thanks. Through the website www.love-2-surf.com and hopefully soon, retailers like Toyota, REI, & others. I will post a list of retailers on my site if and when this happens.
A: Thanks for the interview, I appreciate it!
Q: Thank you.
Journalist John Barns
