REGION — A team of passionate local surfers has launched a new magazine spotlighting surf stories highlighting local athletes, shapers, photographers and companies making waves in North County.
Founded by Carlsbad residents Elaine Brodie and Lorenzo Diaz, Local Break magazine recently published its inaugural issue with a circulation of 7,000 copies that will be spread out over the coming weeks.
Brodie, a former writer for Carlsbad Neighbors Magazine with a background in marketing, now serves as the magazine’s publisher, editor and main writer. Diaz, a longtime surfing coach and owner of Surf Skate 101, serves as business development director.
The couple met several years ago through surfing and eventually began talking about starting a surf magazine. They recognized the myriad of unique stories waiting to be told in the region and realized they could combine Brodie’s writing chops, Diaz’s connections in the local surf community and their joint passion for the sport.
“I want to make it a community magazine. I want people to contribute to it, be stoked about it, and read about their neighbors and their friends,” said Brodie, who began surfing in her late 40s and quickly became hooked. “Now that we have the first magazine, and it’s getting momentum, people can understand it’s here to stay.”
The first July/August issue of Local Break magazine, which can be found in most surf shops throughout North County, kicked things off with a cover story about ocean photographer Saxon Chang (son of renowned photog Aaron Chang) and a feature about the Encinitas mother-daughter duo of board shaper Valerie Duprat and rising USA Surf champion Victoria Duprat.
The magazine aims to be a go-to guide for local surfers, with an explainer on surf skate training, fitness and travel recommendations, tide charts and local recommendations for surf shops, surf lessons, board shapers, photographers and more.
Local Break will be published bimonthly, with the September/October issue currently in development.
Diaz said he is excited for the magazine to highlight all the different people involved in surfing in North County, from “moms to groms” in Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside.
“It’s kind of knowing who’s in our community, who our predecessors are, and who’s up and coming … it’s not just the surf culture, it’s who makes up the surf culture,” said Diaz. “We have this little micro-community that’s so cool, and it’s definitely different from Leucadia, to Cardiff to Carlsbad.”
Despite the challenge of starting a print venture in 2024, Diaz said Local Break has been received well in the community. The magazine also recently added sales director Skye Deitelbaum of Cardiff to their small but mighty team.
“It’s been fun, but also a lot of work,” said Diaz. “When you put out something, hopefully it gets received well, but I don’t think we had one negative comment. It’s been amazing.”
For Brodie, a magazine offers the perfect marriage of photography and graphics, both of which she is passionate about. It also allows local contributors to submit stories and photos, and there’s been a ton of interest so far, she said.
The first issue includes a travel piece about a local’s surf expedition in Alaska, an informational piece from an Encinitas doctor about surfer’s eye, and a surfing workout recommendation from the owner of an Encinitas fitness center.
“The contributing writers are local people, and everybody has a story,” Brodie said.
Readers can visit localbreakmagazine.com to find magazine pickup locations and digital issues or to inquire about advertising or contributing content.
