Rincon Beach is a renowned surf spot located at the Ventura and Santa Barbara County line. To those familiar, Rincon is known as the “Queen of the Coast” due to its soft and long wave that gives surfers of all experience levels the chance to partake and enjoy. Rincon is rated 24 in the book “100 Best Surf Spots in the World.” Rincon hosts several iconic surf contests that attract talent from all over the Pacific Northwest and more.
In March of every year, Rincon is home to the Rincon Invitational. This surf event raises money for numerous scholarships including the Walter Munk Oceanography Scholarship, the Sophia Bartlow Memorial Scholarship, and the OLAS Foundation Scholarship. At the Rincon Invitational, there are no winners, however, the judges provide honorable mentions to the team that catches the total waves, total shared waves, most waves shared, best wave caught, and team spirit. Coast Law Group has participated in the Rincon Invitational since 2007. After this year’s Rincon Invitational, I was fortunate enough to learn that Coast Law Group has been more than just a contestant at Rincon.
Many patrons and regulars of Rincon Beach are not aware that Rincon was also home to sewage overflow that was causing its surfers viral infections. In 1998, the organization Heal the Ocean, led by the fearless Hillary Hauser, took note of the surfers’ persistent complaints. After a study of Rincon Lagoon water, Heal the Ocean discovered that the Lagoon which feeds into Rincon was composed of 20% human fecal matter.
Heal the Ocean and the Carpinteria Sanitary District (CSD) then took up the challenge of removing septic systems from the properties lining Rincon. This “Septic to Sewer Project” included not only Rincon, but Padaro Lane, Sandyland, and Sand Point and included roughly 130 beach homes. What ensued was a 15-year legal battle. That’s where Coast Law Group comes in.
After nearly six years of red tape and stalls, CLG and Marco Gonzalez were recruited in 2004 to help move the ball along. Marco established the Conditional Loan Fund where donors (comprised mostly of neighboring homeowners) could pay the costs to fight the red tape and lawsuits. Soon thereafter in early 2005, the opposing lawsuit filed against the Septic to Sewer Project was thrown out by the judge.
Then, CSD began the process of assessments, permits, additional funding, and more. In April 2012, Caltrans approved permits to begin construction on the Sandyland and Sand Point communities. After more assessments, more permits, and more funding, CSD began construction on Rincon beach in September 2013.
After 15 years of hard work, Heal the Ocean created seven miles of septic free coastline in Santa Barbara County. Here we are, 10 years later, and Coast Law Group has been reflecting on such an important accomplishment.
“With Rincon being one of the most culturally important surf spots in all of surfing, our contribution to its protection is particularly important to the CLG legacy,” says Marco Gonalez. “Rincon is important to us because it is one of the best waves in California, steeped in history and lore.”
CLG is often decorated with accomplishments at the Rincon Invitational, such as most total waves and best wave of the year. In 2025, CLG won most sharing surfers. Rincon has a very special place in our hearts because of the sensational victory we achieved, thereby ensuring safe water to surf for many years to come.