“SAFE TRESTLES” DESIGN CONTEST FINALISTS TO BE EXHIBITED AT 6.0 LOWERS PRO AND OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR MAY 4-8 AT LOWER TRESTLES

Two-Stage Design Competition Aims to Create a Low-Impact and Safe Solution to Access Trestles

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 3, 2010 – The 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior, May 4-8 at Lower Trestles, will exhibit the works of 10 “SAFE TRESTLES” Design Contest finalists. The two-stage design competition, hosted by Architecture for Humanity in association with the San Onofre Foundation and The Surfirder Foundation, aims to inspire a low-impact and safe solution to access Trestles at San Onofre State Beach.

“The SAFE TRESTLES design competition asks the questions; Can the recreational demand for safe Lower Trestles access be managed to eliminate ongoing resource damage, at the same time educating and informing the park visitor regarding their surroundings, while preserving the rustic charm of the existing “Park Experience?” says Steve Long, Senior Advisor to SOF.  “Thank you Nike, Architecture for Humanity and Surfrider for sharing in this opportunity to look for possible solutions and providing the forum for engaging the community in this thoughtful process.

The 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior are two of only a handful of events that enjoy the honor of having access to the world-class surfing breaks at Trestles.  However, the esteemed beach is bisected by the North-South North County Transit District railroad, which imposes risk to surfers and other visitors.

Although safe access under the tracks is possible at two official routes (near San Mateo Creek and San Onofre Creek), more than 100,000 visitors annually cross the active tracks illegally on impromptu trails, which is dangerous both to the visitor and the area’s fragile marshlands.

A coalition of concerned groups, organized by non-profit Architecture for Humanity and including the San Onofre Foundation and The Surfrider Foundation, banned together and launched the SAFE TRESTLES Design Competition to address these safety and environmental issues. The online contest, which was open to the public and concluded on April 17, generated more than 150 global submissions on ways to create a safe route to serve surfers, the local coastal community and day visitors to San Onofre State Beach while preserving its delicate eco-systems. The top 10 design solutions will be presented during the 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior event at Lower Trestles (May 4-8) and voted on by a jury of key stakeholders. The top design will be selected later in the year as a vision to what a safe and designated access point could be.

For more information on SAFE TRESTLES visit safetrestles.com, the 6.0 Lowers Pro, visit nike6lowerspro.com and the Oakley Pro Junior, visit oakleyprojunior.com.

The 6.0 Lowers Pro and Oakley Pro Junior wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of sponsors.  A special thank you goes out to presenting sponsors Nike 6.0 and Oakley, co-sponsors Red Bull and Corralejo Tequila, and media sponsors Surfer (surfermag.com), Surfing (surfingthemag.com) and FUEL TV.

About Nike 6.0

The Nike 6.0 brand defines innovation and embodies the creativity of youth, united by action. Nike 6.0 delivers footwear and apparel to support the new generation of action sports athletes who are changing the worlds of surf, snow, moto, BMX, wake and freeski. Their unlimited potential and contagious energy deliver the future through performance and lifestyle.  www.nike6.com

About Oakley, Inc.

The global leader in performance sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear, Oakley also offers technical and lifestyle apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. The company was created for athletes who see impossibility as just another challenge, and their dedication inspires Oakley to seek out problems, solve with innovation and wrap invention in art. Exceeding the limits of possibility for more than thirty years, Oakley serves the demands of world-class athletes with unbeatable technologies including High Definition Optics® (HDO®). Additional information is available at oakley.com.

About Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG):
Reaching more than two million enthusiasts, Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG) is the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas. In addition to publishing leading lifestyle publications such as Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Bike, Powder and Canoe & Kayak, Source Interlink Media’s ASG delivers a cutting-edge network of online properties, events and television programming.

Media Contacts:

Dawn Hamilton                                   Elishia Matta
KHPR for ASG                                      SURFER PR Manager
310-295-1189                                   949-370-7083
dhamilton@khpublicrelations.com elishia.matta@sorc.com

Comments are closed.