When the jury’s out and the waves are right, this judge heads to the Gulf
John Ellisor keeps a pair of swim trunks in his car. [Read more…]
Lokahi y’all
Elizabeth Lu, from left, Denise Middleton, Jessica Barnes, Matt Murphy, Kristen Wollard and Chris Clodfelter paddle their rigger on Clear Lake. Photo by Kim Christensen
Outrigger canoe club brings popular Pacific Ocean sport to Texas waters
From origins as a boat for fishing, travel and even warfare in Polynesian islands to modern-day racing competitions in Hawaii, the outrigger canoe is native to the Pacific Ocean. [Read more…]
Sailor ink
Gene Geiger’s arms, chest and leg are adorned with naval tattoos done in Hong Kong while he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Nautical-themed tattoos as popular as ever on Texas Coast
The U.S. Navy sailor remembers his arm bleeding profusely in a Hong Kong apartment. He drank beer, and children dashed about the room as a tattoo artist dug needles — “big, dull and dirty” — into his arm. Tattered design books lay scattered in the apartment. The needles pierced deeply, injecting dark ink. Blood dripped constantly, requiring mopping throughout the surgical craftwork. A ship took shape on Gene Geiger’s arm. [Read more…]
Crustacean celebration
Pamela and Dwight Burroughs scoop gumbo at their booth at the 2014 Galveston Island Shrimp Festival. This year’s festival is set for Sept. 25-27. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Island festival doesn’t skimp on the shrimp
Boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it or deep fry it. Along the Gulf Coast, shrimp is king and a staple of cuisine and industry. [Read more…]
Surfboard shaper
James Fulbright, who shapes custom surfboards at his shop, Strictly Hardcore Surf Specialities in Galveston, has been surfing since he was 10 years old. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Isle man continues rare craft in a changing industry
The first surfboard James Fulbright ever saw almost became a coffee table, a sacrilegious degradation to a man who has devoted his life to crafting the vessels. [Read more…]