We like to think we have it pretty good here on the West Coast; nice weather, beautiful beaches, and of course – amazing car shows year round. WET Coast is one of the first European Car Show series to hit the coast of Central California looking to gather some of the finest Euro rides for some fun in the sun. Now it’s not always easy to get an event up and running in certain cities; we’re talking permits, insurance, and the like – but Kawika Ahuna and crew pulled together to make this dream a reality. After plenty of planning, leg work, and negotiations a location was settled on and the plans were put in motion. The inaugural event was held on March 21st in the fields of Linden Park at Carpinteria State Beach in Carpinteria, California and for a first year show we were in for quite a treat!
Photos: Chris Baronian | Words: Kawika Ahuna & Mike Alexander
This gorgeous venue was just steps from the beach producing a laid back atmosphere allowing everyone to just chill and enjoy the cars on hand while taking in the coastal sights and sounds throughout the day. The event brought in European makes and models from all over, to include; Mercedes, BMW, Audi and a lot of Volkswagens including some well received air-cooleds. It was only fitting that Best of Show winner Glenn Tomilloso stole the show with his air-cooled ’57 Bug. Many European car clubs came out to support the event like Grounded, Simply Low, Wagen Bros, West Coast Euro, Westside Mexico, Art of Noize and Workingclass – just to name a few.
Hosting the first of what they hope will turn into a series of car shows, Wet Coast is put together by Kawika Ahuna with the help and support of friends and family, including the loving support of his girlfriend Janine. It has always been a dream of Kawika’s to host a show at this very locations for years, but until recently he had thought that the dream might be a bit out of reach. But with the support and backing of his club Art of Noize who gave him the push and experience needed, this long time dream is now a reality and we couldn’t be more proud to see them stick to their guns and see it through.
This was the first ever car show on the grass at Linden Park and with how well everything went and the respect show goes had for the venue there are high hopes that there will be more to come. Special thanks goes out to California State Parks Channel Coast district and the City of Carpinteria for their hospitality. The venue had so much to offer being at the end of Linden Ave. which gives access to many of Carpinteria’s restaurants and businesses, not to mention the town nightlife once the show was wrapped.
Supporting sponsors that helped to make the show possible include AccuAir, Neuspeed, Solo-Werks, Borla, and Pokal Wheels. Also a huge thanks to csdzyne.com, dub-Nation, Eurocar News, Illinspired Images, Last Sunday, Lowform Suspension Lab, PartsLogix, Sasquatch Snapshots, Slam’d Mag, 337 Grips, VMR Wheels and WebbStarrs Motoring. Plans for the 2nd annual WET Coast European Car Show are already underway and set for March 5, 2016. We’ll see you there!
