The Windansea Shack turns 70 this year and – except for the palm frond roof – has been fully restored by volunteers after being pummeled by a storm last Christmas.
“It took one amazing crew and three weekends, but we have rebuilt it,” said Melinda Merryweather, vice president of Friends of Windansea.
The Shack is a historic landmark on the Windansea Beach in La Jolla and it has officially been restored following the hard hit it took from a storm last year. Credit for the restoration goes to a nonprofit and the community.
“We all remember that storm with the high tide, full moon and surf all at once,” Merryweather said.
According to Merryweather, on Christmas eve last year, San Diego was weathering El Nino, a strong full moon and an extremely high tide. Prior to the storm, the normal precautions were taken for the Shack. All low hanging fronds were trimmed but it wasn’t enough. A massive wave rose up and crashed down on the Shack. The force of the wave and the weight of the water knocked out one of the supporting legs.
The restoration was lead by Jim Neri the president of Friends of Windansea and a landscaper. Friends of Windansea is a nonprofit based in La Jolla that asked the city for permission to take care of and maintain the Shack in 1998. The nonprofit is dedicated to caring for the Shack and has a strong presence in the community. With volunteers from around La Jolla they were able to rebuild the Shack.
According to Merryweather, it was no surprise that the community came together to help rebuild the landmark.
“The Shack is historic, it is very local, it is like our church,” Merryweather said. “It really has a super meaning to La Jolla.”
The restored Shack has legs made of cured eucalyptus that are thicker and installed deeper in the ground than before.
“We are confident in the new structure and protection plans,” Merryweather said. “The community has and will work hard to keep this piece of history here.”
There are new preparation measures in place for the shack as well. According to Merryweather, following the Christmas parade in La Jolla, all of the fronds and the roof will be removed from the Shack and will not be replaced until the rainy season has ended sometime in July.
“The city has entrusted us with this Shack and we are all more than honored to do the work,” Merryweather said.
The Windansea Shack was built 70 years ago originally to provide shade for the women and children watching the surfers. In 1998, with Merryweather’s help, the Shack was made a historic landmark. Today, the Shack stands as a symbol of the surfing community and La Jolla itself.