Surprise winners in Spyder/South Bay Boardriders Hermosa contest

Some predictable results, some surprises and plenty of enthusiasm carried over from the previous two seasons marked the start of the 2012-13 South Bay Boardriders Contest Series on Saturday. The contest was sponsored by Spyder Surf at the Hermosa Beach pier. The surf was a consistent, two-to three foot with smooth conditions throughout the day.

Under the predictable heading was former South High standout Natalie Anzivino winning the open women’s division. Anzivino won five of last season’s six contest. Anzivino sealed her win by smacking the lip and then shooting the pier on one of the day’s few head-high waves.

Also predictable was Sean Burrell’s win in the open men’s division. Burrell used his signature speed in the generally soft waves to erase memories of his collapse in last season’s final contest, which cost him the 2011-2012 series title.

Totally unpredictable was Kevin Holmes somehow tucking his 250-pound-plus frame, along with his 10-foot-long, 5-inch-thick four fin into multiple barrels to win not only the legends preliminary heat, but also the legends finals. Holmes banished perennial finalist Derek Levy to second place and former pro Mike Purpus to third.

Another surprise winner was Billy Atkinson, who finished ninth overall in the microgroms division (nine and under) last season. In his first move up to the groms division (12 and under), the Redondo 10-year-old won his opening heat, took second in the semi finals and surged into first in the finals.

The micro grom division was won by Matthew Hahn, who last year needed his dad to push him into waves, but this year was paddling in on his own.

If there was an ironman award, it would have gone to Tom Seth. The Los Angeles County lifeguard upset former Mira Costa stars Mike Siordia and Tommy Ostendorf to win the longboard division and then placed third in both the open mens and masters (40 to 49). Dog Town veteran Donny Wilson won the masters.

Over half of the approximately 150 competitors were 14-years-old or younger, evidence that the club is succeeding in its goal of reestablishing the South Bay as a breeding ground to top level surfers.

The next SBBC contest is sponsored by ET Surf and will held January 5 at 6th Street in Manhattan Beach. Contests are open to none members. For more information visit SouthBayBoardriders.com.