Presented by BEACHSPORT.org, the Chambers of Commerce and Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance and Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, present the 49th annual International Surf Festival, which kicks off Friday with the L.A. County Lifeguard Championships, 7 p.m. at Avenue C in Redondo Beach.
The Venice lifeguard team will be aiming for its fourth consecutive championship in the Bud Stevenson Intracrew Medley Relay after holding off teams from Dockweiler and Manhattan Beach in 2009.
Rancho Palos Verdes resident Kyle Daniels is the defending champion in the Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddleboard race and in what has become one of the tightest competitions of the festival, Sean Lemm, of El Segundo, outpaced a group of four swimmers to capture the Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier swim with a time of 45 minutes, 31 seconds.
One of the most popular events, the Charlie Saikley 6-Player Volleyball Tournament, drew approximately 60,000 players and spectators on Saturday last season but will be scaled back this year. In an effort to turn what is referred to as the “Six-Man” back into an athletic-minded event, in May the City Council implemented several restrictions, including a zero-tolerance alcohol policy, increased fencing and the banning of boom boxes, multiple tents and large water coolers.
Wearing thick mustaches and Hawaiian attire, Team Magnum won the Men’s Open title last year, becoming the first repeat champion in the event’s 48-year history.
Mira Costa girls volleyball coach Lisa Zimmerman, AVP players Carrie Dodd and Nancy Mason and Leanne McSorley led Paul Martins to the Women’s Open championship by defeating The Rock Stars.
Surf Festival Schedule
Friday
7 p.m. LA County Lifeguard Championships — Avenue C in Redondo Beach. U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter & L.A. County Lifeguard Rescue Demo, 6-Lifeguard Run Relay, Lifeguard Events, Bud Stevenson Intracrew Medley Relay.
Saturday
6:45 a.m. International Bodysurfing Championship — Manhattan Beach Pier. Information 310-545-4825. $35 on Sand.
7:30 a.m. Surfing Championships — Hermosa Beach Pier (South Side). Information 310-614-9996.
8 a.m. The Torrance Sand Soccer Association presents the 5th Annual Sand Soccer Challenge. Saturday and Sunday at Torrance Beach.
8 a.m. Dick Fitzgerald Two-Mile Beach Run — Hermosa Beach Pier.
9 a.m. Charlie Saikley Volleyball Tournament — Manhattan Beach Pier 6-Man/6-Woman. Information: 310-802-5413.
7 p.m. So. Calif. Lifeguard Championships Events — Avenue C, Redondo Beach. U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter & Los Angeles County Lifeguard Demo, Lifeguard Events/Junior Lifeguard Taplin/Lifeguard Beach Flags, Judge Taplin Three-Mile Lifeguard Medley Relay.
Sunday
7:30 a.m. Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddleboard Championship — Manhattan Beach Pier, North Side.
8 a.m. Sand Soccer continues at Torrance Beach.
9 a.m. Charlie Saikley Volleyball Tournament — Manhattan Beach Pier. Final rounds of 6-Man/6-Woman.
9 a.m. Dwight Crum Pier-To-Pier Swim — Hermosa Pier to Manhattan Pier, no Race Day entries. Information: 310- 372-7189.
9:30 a.m. Lifeguard Dory Race — Hermosa Pier (8:30 a.m. check-in).
1 p.m. South Bay Youth Swims and Paddles — Hermosa Beach Pier.
Results and forms can be found at www.surffestival.org. ER
