Hate to admit it now, but the very first Cleveland edition of the Surf Ohio shirts in 1978 boasted the “Flaming River Masters Surfing Classic” on the back.  Many of my Cleveburg mates at Ohio U. claim their Surf Ohio shirts later inspired a hometown bar band to record a 45 titled, “There’s No Surf In Cleveland.” I don’t know about that, but if you have one of these ’78 Surf Ohio t-shirts in your archives, sell it on eBay and go buy yourself a new pair of Oakleys.  Those shirts are rare, indeed, in this, the 40th anniversary of the infamous fire on the Cuyahoga, the single incident most widely acknowledged as the tipping point for what became the environmental movement.

Whether you say I’ve since matured, mellowed, or otherwise grew to love the city formerly known as “the mistake on the lake” – the city that also developed a derelict waterfront warehouse district into the partyin’ “Flats” (now derelict again), where I once had my van stolen, stripped, and discovered up on blocks by Cleveland’s finest even before I heard “last call,” the city with more “Don’t Blame Me – I voted for Kucinich” stickers per capita than any other, the home of the Rock’n’Roll Hall Fame, which of course hosts its annual induction ceremony in, where else, New York – I am, in all honesty, very proud to present the all new, all cotton Cuyahoga Masters Surfing Classic/Cleveland, Ohio edition of Surf Ohio t-shirts.

And, hey- gotta love those Browns!

The all new 2009 Surf Ohio tees for Cleveland, Ohio – screened on Gildan 100% cotton, on either White or Tan.