It’s baaack: ‘Surfhenge’ returns

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- It wiped out once, but the surfing sculpture commonly

referred to as “Surfhenge” is now set to sink its more controversial

replacement.

The City Council voted 4 to 2 Monday to once again approve the collection

of 18-foot stones shaped like surfboards, reminiscent of England’s

Stonehenge, for the corner of Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.

Councilmen Dave Sullivan and Tom Harman dissented. Mayor Dave Garofalo

was absent.

The surfboards are replacing a sculpture of whale bones approved by the

council in May. However, the whale bones -- a cluster of tusklike

concrete pillars made to represent a whale skeleton -- originally

replaced the surfboard design, which was approved last year.

City officials said they rejected the surf design because a similar

sculpture was discovered on the East Coast.

Both sculptures have been controversial, with the whale bone sculpture

drawing opposition from residents and the Surfrider Foundation.

“While the whalebone piece is striking, it does not represent the history

of Surf City, Huntington Beach,” Councilwoman Pam Julien wrote in a memo

to the council. “Surf Circle is visually stimulating and attractive. It

provides a functional drop-off, pickup area, as well as a public art

statement for the city beach.”

The purpose of having art at the location, Julien wrote, was to provide

an “identifying entryway statement to the city beach and to create a

lasting icon that tourists and locals will find both fascinating and

representative of the city.”

Councilman Dave Sullivan said he voted against the stone surfboards,

citing a need for more public input.

“I don’t think the seven of us are art experts to make that decision,” he

said. “I’d rather have the public make that decision because they are the

ones that are going to have to live with it.”

Julien said a committee of residents, businesspeople, city staff,

consultants and council members had worked together several months ago to

choose the surfing piece.