Pleasure Point Night Fighters
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The Pleasure Point Night Fighters , a.k.a. PPNF.[1]
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[edit] Pleasure Point
The Pleasure Point Night Fighters are the first to use the name Pleasure Point.[2]
This designation is used to define the surfing community on Soquel Point in the county of Santa Cruz.
It is defined by Moran Lagoon, Portola Dr, 41st Ave and the Pacific Ocean.
[edit] Prohibition
During the time of Prohibition (1919 to 1933), the Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, California community was not served by the Santa Cruz City Fire Department after dark. In response to this lack of fire service in the night time, a group of volunteer’s organized to fill this need. The Pleasure Point Night Fighters began as a volunteer fire fighters organization. They helped to fight many fires that were started by drunken revelers that came to this remote area between Santa Cruz and Capitola during Prohibition.[3]
PPNF was also renowned as a vigilante organization that kept the peace in unincorporated area of Pleasure Point. The people who were at the mercy of those who came into the area turned to this local organization for protection.[4]
The rumors of the many valiant actions and the heroes of this time are still told among the older members of Pleasure Point surfing community.
[edit] WWII
During World War II, many of the members joined the service to protect the USA from the greater world threat and their activities were suspended.
[edit] 1950's
The PPNF was revived in the 1950’s when “Pleasure Point Night Fighters” became the call to arms and rebel yell for the locals.
Jim Phillips,[5] world renown for his surf art and contributions to surf culture,designed the PPNF calling cards. He and Harry Contie[6], reincarnated the Night Fighters in the 1970’s.
[edit] Night fighter park
In the 1980’s they planed and developed the Night Fighter Park at the corner of Pleasure Point Dr and East Cliff Dr.[7]
 Pleasure Pt Park |
 View from Pleasure Point Dr |
 Ocean view |
 PPNF acknowledgment plaque |
[edit] Pack your trash
They ran Pack Your Trash [8], for many years.
Pack Your Trash started a larger trend that has evolved to larger beach clean up days.
These larger clean ups are supported by Save Our Shores, Surfrider, Coastal Conservancy and Save our Seas, among others.
The PPNF is now a strong community oriented organization that comes together to preserve and protect the Pleasure Point area.
[edit] Roadhouse for community center
It is working together with the County to preserve the Pleasure Point roadhouse for a community center.
[edit] Pleasure point community plan
PPNF is working to create guidelines for the Pleasure Point Community Plan, in response to neighborhood concerns about new large houses that overwhelm the traditional beach cottages.
[edit] References
Surf, Skate & Rock Art of Jim Phillips, Jim Phillips, 2004, ISBN 0-7643-1927-2,Schiffer Books, Atglen PA, p. 25
Sentinel Newspaper links Archive for Pleasure Point Night Fighters
2001-2007 [9]
Santa Cruz Sentinel - sunday Aug 17, 1980 p. 6- Pleasure Point Park
Santa Cruz Weekly Vol 1 No. 26 April 1981- Cover Story PLEASURE POINT CATS
