The beach is enjoyed by many folks for many reasons from organized surfing and paddling events to beach clean-ups; Coast Guard emergency training, Junior Life Guards, fireworks shows and even weddings. This section will celebrate these varied uses and hopefully in time; we will be able to share some of the lesser seen or unique ones.
On January 9, 2012 we had a visit in the surf from Larry Paul of the U.S.O. Larry had come to honor the memory of a fallen soldier, Sgt. Noah Korte of Lake Elsinore, CA. Larry paddled out into the lineup and asked if we would spend a few moments with him to remember and honor Noah and we did. Larry later wrote this note to us:
"...thank you very much for helping out. My name is Larry Paul, I volunteer at the USO at LAX and am on the "Families of the Fallen" committee at the USO, in conjuction with the LAX police department. We meet families from California who have lost loved ones in service, helping them as they arrive at LAX to make the transition home a little easier. We also meet the remains of the fallen on the tarmac of the airport and help provide a dignified return and to make sure they are not forgotten. I can't remember who all were there today, but I can't thank each and everyone of you enough for taking the time to honor Noah. I see your group most days and know you highly enjoy your time in the water and knew you and your friends would be gracious in your honoring Noah, another great big thanks to you all. Thank you again for your time and display of honoring one of our heros. I look forward to riding with your group.... With great appreciation, Larry"
We took some photos and video for Sgt. Korte's family and friends and put them together for them here: http://youtu.be/oZtfTNTNTjA Thank-you to all of you who took time to honor Noah Korte that day and thank-you to all of you who are part of our great ocean family everyday...
During December of 2011; Lifeguard Charlie retrieved a 10 foot plank of mahogany from the surf line. Interestingly, the plank was covered with very ornate and intricate painting that appeared as though it may have been from someplace like a Buddist Temple. The weathering of the wood suggested the plank may have floated from Japan following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami...
A close up of some of the very detailed painting on the plank...
Matthew pulling hard for the finish line in the 2011 Velzy-Stevens Pier to Pier race. Despite wind and rough seas, Matthew finished the 1.8 mile course in just under an hour. Matthew was one of the youngest competitors and the only 11 year old to race on a Stand-Up board; a 12' board at that. Right-on, Matthew...
Our photog paddled in the Pier to Pier and took this photo at the start of the race; the condtions were windy and rough, less than ideal...
Matthew pre-race, getting tips from his mom who earned a third place medal herself paddling in the 49 and under Female Stand-Up division...
Steve charges to the finish line in the 2011 Dwight Crum Pier to Pier swim. Steve broke a personal best time by finishing under an hour. Way to go Steve...
Emma (left) and Hanna are all smiles on their first day of reporting for Junior Guards...
The Jimmy Miller Foundation and Hennessey's sponsered a morning of surf races at Torrance Beach on Saturday, June 18th, 2011. Here, rowing dories at rest on the beach between race heats...
Surf skiis at the starting line ready to charge the surf...*
*We made a short video of this great day of fun that included surfers, racers and dolphin; you can view it at:
Fall 2010; the moving of the Lifeguard Towers is an annual event. When Fall comes the towers are moved to "higher ground" where they will hopefully be safe from winter waves and sand erosion...
Steve charging to the finish line of the International Surf Festival Pier to Pier swim. 1.8 miles in 1 hour and 8 minutes, right-on, Steve...
The International Surf Festival happens each year during the first part of August. For 2010, soccer on Torrance Beach, Lifeguard competitions at Redondo and paddle/swim races at Manhattan & Hermosa. Four of our crew placed in the 2010 paddling competition...
Summer 2010 and all the towers were covered in color from Zuma to San Pedro. Here is a tower not far from ours...
According to what it says on the Tower; it is a "Summer of Color". Over 100 Lifeguard Towers from Zuma to San Pedro have been splashed with color for a worthy cause. Details of the event are listed on each Tower. Enjoy them while they are here, the Towers will return to their regulation colors near the end of summer...
Paddlers eagerly await instructions for an 8 mile open ocean race from the beach, out around "R-10" buoy off of Rocky Point and back. Most of these paddle boards are especially built for speed on open water, they are not designed for 'busting through big surf. On this day, there was some big surf...
Paddle contenders get last minute instructions and precautions regarding paddling out through the surf-line...
"Never under-estimate the power of the ocean". Despite the best precautions with the best equipment, the ocean is all powerful and will take her toll. Hit by an outside wave while paddling out, the paddler was uninjured but his board did not fare so well...
Nothing is better than finishing a great surf session with some awesome bongo rhythms...
The beach is a lovely setting for a wedding. And, there is nothing more fun than riding a wave and hollering "woo-hoo" while your buddy is stuck on the sand in a wedding party...
On the morning of February 28th, the bike path was looking more like an inland water way thanks to high tides and big surf...
Lifeguard Captain Tracy confers with Beach and Harbors workers...
The big storms of January 2010 took a lot of sand from the beach. We heard some of the wave riders talking about having to bring ropes or ladders in order to get in and out of the water. We won't mention any names...
Under close supervision of their Captain; these firemen are getting ready to "go over the side" while participating in a low angle rescue drill...
We love the United States Coast Guard. Once a year they visit Torrance Beach for rescue training. They regularly conduct joint rescue trainng with the Lifeguards. You REALLY love the Coast Guard when you are stuck at sea and that bright helicopter appears like an angel in the sky...
From here it looks like fun. From the position of the guy in the basket or the crewman hanging out the door it's a whole different perspective...
In January of 2006, Captain Jack Sparrow and his "Black Pearl" sailed the waters in front of the Riviera while filming another sequel of the "Pirates of the Caribbean"...
Congrats to Riviera Wave Rider John for his 1st place win in his division of the stock class August 1st Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddleboard Championship! John, we're proud of you...
Film crews for the television show "90210" were at TORR this month; the surfers heading down the ramp have just left the dressing rooms and are headed for the beach. Maybe some of the folks who watch 90210 will recognize some of these surfers. As for us, we're more likely to recognize Greg Noll or Mickey Dora...
It's standing room only for the cast and crew of 90210 next to the TORR tower. There was a sign on the sand saying they were filming and if you were there, you were giving consent that you may be in some of the shots. You never saw so many of the Riviera Wave Riders doing hand-stands and hula spinners...
One of the first weekends in July saw a stand-up and paddle board race from the beach out past Palos Verdes and back. In this photo the stand-ups have already been started and now the starting gun for the paddle boards has just been fired from the back of the Body Glove boat...
The Junior Guards are on the beach and in the water during the month of July. Here a group of future lifeguard hopefuls are paddling out for their morning work-out...
Summer time sees the arrival of more people and the Torrance Police Beach Patrol. The Beach Patrol sets up for the summer in the main Lifeguard Tower at the bottom of the ramp. Officers make routine patrols on "Quads" keeping the peace on the beach and keeping the smokers, drinkers, bonfires and fireworks off the beach...
The end of May means the end of school and Senior trips to the beach. 'Guess the bus that carries the surfboards hasn't arrived yet...
When not hanging 10 with the gang; Riviera Wave Rider Greg can sometimes be found up at Miramar Park (north end of the lot) selling his cool beach art work. These art sales happen the first Sunday of every month April 15th through October 4th. See the flyer below for more details...
Just a 5 minute walk up the beach (or a 10 minute paddle) from the TORR tower is Miramar Park. At the park you can check out a cool art sale by the beach the first Sunday of every month. Tell mom you are going to get her "something special"; 'catch a few waves; then pick-up something cool for her from the sale on the way home. Everyone will be happy...
Feb. 28, '09 saw the beach packed with surfers, promoters and on-lookers for an organized surfing contest. 'Check the flag on the Lifeguard tower; on top of warm temps and sunny skies we had off-shore wind as well. Cowabunga!
Chris is a sponsored kite surfer who lives locally and really enjoys every moment he gets to "fly" on windy days. Local surf photographer Lynn Langmead caught Chris doing some serious air time in this photo. Lynn is available to record your surf session in a variety of medias; see "Surf Photog 4 Hire" for more information...
Chris going off the lip at "Mach 1" speed. Lynn Langmead photo.
The Riviera is a special place; even when it rains. When it rains; we are never surprised to see that the rainbow ends here too...
In 1967, Batman came to Torrance Beach in pursuit of the notorious Joker. Riviera waterman Steve R. sent us this photo of his siblings, buddies & he in front of the Batmobile and Jokermobile. This photo was taken at the bottom of the ramp; notice the old main tower was renamed "Gotham Point" for the movie.*
*View a cool YouTube clip of the movie "Surfs Up! Jokers Under!" at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d38xVrWW2wg You will see the Batmobile and Joker's car at the bottom of the ramp; the main tower circa 1967 renamed "Gotham Point" and Alfredo's location circa 1967 renamed the "Hang 5". You may also recognize some of the surfers. Big thanks to Steve R. for sharing this cool photo, history & link with us...
The first two weeks of February saw all types of weather including some days of big wind. When the wind is up; the kite surfers are out. These hardy watermen have "radar" for when the conditions are right for their unique and challenging sport. Part surfing, part skiing, part sailing, part kite flying; this sport is demanding technically and physically...
Kite surfing is gear intensive. Kite, control lines, handles, harnesses, leashes, boards, wetsuits, helmets; this is some but not all of the gear that is often used...
This shot shows the extensive harness worn by many kite surfers. Imagine wearing all this gear and trying to handle a kite while walking around in a 30 knot wind...
The kites are works of art in and of themselves. Part of the structure is pressurized with air; there are often battens for stiffness and don't forget the gazillion control lines...
Here is one of the many types of boards the kite surfers ride. Some look like small surfboards; others are like this one that more closely resembles a snow board. Some kite surfers wear a leash, others don't. This board is definitely for acrobatics; while we watched these kite surfer's we saw some incredible aerial stunts including flying and vertical 360's...
Rigged-up and ready; this kite surfer is flying his kite while walking down the beach in preparation of launch into the surfline. Once again, check out the gear, especially this "kite handle" with attached lines and leash. There are a lot of us who can't even handle one leash on our surfboard; let alone this highly technical array of rigging...
We did the best we could to show you what is going on here. This is not "Photo Shop" work; this is a kite surfer with at least 30 feet of air beneath him! We took this photo from up on the beach to capture both the kite and the surfer; we are up on the sand berm and we still captured this kite surfer OVER the horizon. To help give you perspective; the waves below were running about 8 foot faces...
"It's a bird, it's a plane..." Nope, it's a kite surfer more than 20 feet off the water flying into the evening sun. These guys are awesome...
Hollywood had arrived in this photo of "Star Waggons" parked at Torrance Beach parking lot. The title of the production was "LIFE"; we'll take the real thing right down the ramp in the line-up...
12/31/08 Outriggers from the King Harbor outrigger clubs make occasional visits to the Riviera. On this day, the surf was small and outriggers were on it as they made their way towards PV and back to the harbor...
"Dude; I gotta run-up to the car and grab some wax; watch the donuts, OK?" Everybody knows only good things come in pink boxes; even the seagulls. 'Check the gray gull behind the box with the beak full of donut; we've seen him before, he knows his donuts...
We are treated to some really fun and interesting art on the beach. We ran into Jenni and her sister building this "hang-loose" sandman the second week of December; way-cool... Thanks to Jenni and her sister for sharing their art and their photo.
Surf contests. Local high schools use the beach for early AM practice before school and for contests. Sponsored contests are held here as well; usually on weekends. When you see the colored jerseys in the water, you can bet it's contest day. We give them lots of room; the contests don't last all day and there are always more waves...
A close up of some of the very detailed painting on the plank...
Matthew pulling hard for the finish line in the 2011 Velzy-Stevens Pier to Pier race. Despite wind and rough seas, Matthew finished the 1.8 mile course in just under an hour. Matthew was one of the youngest competitors and the only 11 year old to race on a Stand-Up board; a 12' board at that. Right-on, Matthew...
Our photog paddled in the Pier to Pier and took this photo at the start of the race; the condtions were windy and rough, less than ideal...
Matthew pre-race, getting tips from his mom who earned a third place medal herself paddling in the 49 and under Female Stand-Up division...
Steve charges to the finish line in the 2011 Dwight Crum Pier to Pier swim. Steve broke a personal best time by finishing under an hour. Way to go Steve...
Emma (left) and Hanna are all smiles on their first day of reporting for Junior Guards...
The Jimmy Miller Foundation and Hennessey's sponsered a morning of surf races at Torrance Beach on Saturday, June 18th, 2011. Here, rowing dories at rest on the beach between race heats...
Surf skiis at the starting line ready to charge the surf...* 
Fall 2010; the moving of the Lifeguard Towers is an annual event. When Fall comes the towers are moved to "higher ground" where they will hopefully be safe from winter waves and sand erosion...
Steve charging to the finish line of the International Surf Festival Pier to Pier swim. 1.8 miles in 1 hour and 8 minutes, right-on, Steve...
The International Surf Festival happens each year during the first part of August. For 2010, soccer on Torrance Beach, Lifeguard competitions at Redondo and paddle/swim races at Manhattan & Hermosa. Four of our crew placed in the 2010 paddling competition... 
Summer 2010 and all the towers were covered in color from Zuma to San Pedro. Here is a tower not far from ours...
According to what it says on the Tower; it is a "Summer of Color". Over 100 Lifeguard Towers from Zuma to San Pedro have been splashed with color for a worthy cause. Details of the event are listed on each Tower. Enjoy them while they are here, the Towers will return to their regulation colors near the end of summer...
Paddlers eagerly await instructions for an 8 mile open ocean race from the beach, out around "R-10" buoy off of Rocky Point and back. Most of these paddle boards are especially built for speed on open water, they are not designed for 'busting through big surf. On this day, there was some big surf...
Paddle contenders get last minute instructions and precautions regarding paddling out through the surf-line...
"Never under-estimate the power of the ocean". Despite the best precautions with the best equipment, the ocean is all powerful and will take her toll. Hit by an outside wave while paddling out, the paddler was uninjured but his board did not fare so well...
Nothing is better than finishing a great surf session with some awesome bongo rhythms... 
The beach is a lovely setting for a wedding. And, there is nothing more fun than riding a wave and hollering "woo-hoo" while your buddy is stuck on the sand in a wedding party...
On the morning of February 28th, the bike path was looking more like an inland water way thanks to high tides and big surf...
Lifeguard Captain Tracy confers with Beach and Harbors workers...
The big storms of January 2010 took a lot of sand from the beach. We heard some of the wave riders talking about having to bring ropes or ladders in order to get in and out of the water. We won't mention any names... 
Under close supervision of their Captain; these firemen are getting ready to "go over the side" while participating in a low angle rescue drill...
We love the United States Coast Guard. Once a year they visit Torrance Beach for rescue training. They regularly conduct joint rescue trainng with the Lifeguards. You REALLY love the Coast Guard when you are stuck at sea and that bright helicopter appears like an angel in the sky...
From here it looks like fun. From the position of the guy in the basket or the crewman hanging out the door it's a whole different perspective...
In January of 2006, Captain Jack Sparrow and his "Black Pearl" sailed the waters in front of the Riviera while filming another sequel of the "Pirates of the Caribbean"... 
Congrats to Riviera Wave Rider John for his 1st place win in his division of the stock class August 1st Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddleboard Championship! John, we're proud of you...
Film crews for the television show "90210" were at TORR this month; the surfers heading down the ramp have just left the dressing rooms and are headed for the beach. Maybe some of the folks who watch 90210 will recognize some of these surfers. As for us, we're more likely to recognize Greg Noll or Mickey Dora...
It's standing room only for the cast and crew of 90210 next to the TORR tower. There was a sign on the sand saying they were filming and if you were there, you were giving consent that you may be in some of the shots. You never saw so many of the Riviera Wave Riders doing hand-stands and hula spinners...
One of the first weekends in July saw a stand-up and paddle board race from the beach out past Palos Verdes and back. In this photo the stand-ups have already been started and now the starting gun for the paddle boards has just been fired from the back of the Body Glove boat...
The Junior Guards are on the beach and in the water during the month of July. Here a group of future lifeguard hopefuls are paddling out for their morning work-out...
Summer time sees the arrival of more people and the Torrance Police Beach Patrol. The Beach Patrol sets up for the summer in the main Lifeguard Tower at the bottom of the ramp. Officers make routine patrols on "Quads" keeping the peace on the beach and keeping the smokers, drinkers, bonfires and fireworks off the beach...
The end of May means the end of school and Senior trips to the beach. 'Guess the bus that carries the surfboards hasn't arrived yet...
When not hanging 10 with the gang; Riviera Wave Rider Greg can sometimes be found up at Miramar Park (north end of the lot) selling his cool beach art work. These art sales happen the first Sunday of every month April 15th through October 4th. See the flyer below for more details...
Just a 5 minute walk up the beach (or a 10 minute paddle) from the TORR tower is Miramar Park. At the park you can check out a cool art sale by the beach the first Sunday of every month. Tell mom you are going to get her "something special"; 'catch a few waves; then pick-up something cool for her from the sale on the way home. Everyone will be happy... 
Feb. 28, '09 saw the beach packed with surfers, promoters and on-lookers for an organized surfing contest. 'Check the flag on the Lifeguard tower; on top of warm temps and sunny skies we had off-shore wind as well. Cowabunga!
Chris is a sponsored kite surfer who lives locally and really enjoys every moment he gets to "fly" on windy days. Local surf photographer Lynn Langmead caught Chris doing some serious air time in this photo. Lynn is available to record your surf session in a variety of medias; see "Surf Photog 4 Hire" for more information...
Chris going off the lip at "Mach 1" speed. Lynn Langmead photo.
The Riviera is a special place; even when it rains. When it rains; we are never surprised to see that the rainbow ends here too...
In 1967, Batman came to Torrance Beach in pursuit of the notorious Joker. Riviera waterman Steve R. sent us this photo of his siblings, buddies & he in front of the Batmobile and Jokermobile. This photo was taken at the bottom of the ramp; notice the old main tower was renamed "Gotham Point" for the movie.*
The first two weeks of February saw all types of weather including some days of big wind. When the wind is up; the kite surfers are out. These hardy watermen have "radar" for when the conditions are right for their unique and challenging sport. Part surfing, part skiing, part sailing, part kite flying; this sport is demanding technically and physically...
Kite surfing is gear intensive. Kite, control lines, handles, harnesses, leashes, boards, wetsuits, helmets; this is some but not all of the gear that is often used...
This shot shows the extensive harness worn by many kite surfers. Imagine wearing all this gear and trying to handle a kite while walking around in a 30 knot wind...
The kites are works of art in and of themselves. Part of the structure is pressurized with air; there are often battens for stiffness and don't forget the gazillion control lines...
Here is one of the many types of boards the kite surfers ride. Some look like small surfboards; others are like this one that more closely resembles a snow board. Some kite surfers wear a leash, others don't. This board is definitely for acrobatics; while we watched these kite surfer's we saw some incredible aerial stunts including flying and vertical 360's...
Rigged-up and ready; this kite surfer is flying his kite while walking down the beach in preparation of launch into the surfline. Once again, check out the gear, especially this "kite handle" with attached lines and leash. There are a lot of us who can't even handle one leash on our surfboard; let alone this highly technical array of rigging...
We did the best we could to show you what is going on here. This is not "Photo Shop" work; this is a kite surfer with at least 30 feet of air beneath him! We took this photo from up on the beach to capture both the kite and the surfer; we are up on the sand berm and we still captured this kite surfer OVER the horizon. To help give you perspective; the waves below were running about 8 foot faces...
"It's a bird, it's a plane..." Nope, it's a kite surfer more than 20 feet off the water flying into the evening sun. These guys are awesome... 
Hollywood had arrived in this photo of "Star Waggons" parked at Torrance Beach parking lot. The title of the production was "LIFE"; we'll take the real thing right down the ramp in the line-up...
12/31/08 Outriggers from the King Harbor outrigger clubs make occasional visits to the Riviera. On this day, the surf was small and outriggers were on it as they made their way towards PV and back to the harbor...
"Dude; I gotta run-up to the car and grab some wax; watch the donuts, OK?" Everybody knows only good things come in pink boxes; even the seagulls. 'Check the gray gull behind the box with the beak full of donut; we've seen him before, he knows his donuts...
We are treated to some really fun and interesting art on the beach. We ran into Jenni and her sister building this "hang-loose" sandman the second week of December; way-cool... Thanks to Jenni and her sister for sharing their art and their photo.
Surf contests. Local high schools use the beach for early AM practice before school and for contests. Sponsored contests are held here as well; usually on weekends. When you see the colored jerseys in the water, you can bet it's contest day. We give them lots of room; the contests don't last all day and there are always more waves...