Hermosa’s western stretches continued to serve as party central on the Fourth of July, but the crowds were smaller and seemed somewhat less intense on Sunday, when the holiday came at the end of a tiring party weekend.
Hermosa police were kept busy again this year, Hermosa Beach Police Chief Greg Savelli said.
“The weekend was busy, but no major events occurred,” he said.
Police responded to numerous calls about loud parties. The most serious crime reported was that of a juvenile allegedly attacking someone with a skateboard.
“We were satisfied that no major incidents occurred, and the community was responsive in toning down their parties when we suggested,” Savelli said.
The 36th running of the perennially controversial “Iron Man” – a run-paddle-chug-beer contest – began about 9:45 a.m., much earlier than tradition once held. The earlier start time kept the spectator count lower than usual.
Highlights of the Fourth included a short afternoon performance by local punk rock stars Pennywise at Hermosa Avenue and 16th Street, and an appearance on the Strand near the pier by STDs, who played atop a float that was pulled by people on foot.
In the Iron Man, perennial favorite Chris Brown once again won the male division by running, paddling, chugging a six-pack and keeping it down quicker than the other 360-plus participants.
Throwing up the beer disqualifies a competitor, and the finish line on the beach in northern Hermosa was once again awash with competitors disqualifying themselves with foaming gouts of airborne beer.
“Not only is he a pretty boy but he drinks heavily,” emcee and former mayor Bob “Burgie” Benz barked into a microphone as he announced Brown’s triumph. Brown waved an American flag in the air as fellow competitors hoisted him aloft.
Another perennial favorite, Annie Seawright Newton, again conquered the women’s division.
“She’s got the best rock hard body in the South Bay,” Benz brayed as Seawright Newton was hoisted aloft.
The band Beach Blood, including members of STDs, Local Hate, Special C, Allover and M1SK played before a smaller pit that usual, and the event ended with the traditional clean-up of all the Iron trash.
Benz, who also competes, is the figure most identified with the event, although it is organized informally by a somewhat secretive committee. Years ago participants received a letter from a lawyer for the producers who hold the trademark for the Iron Man triathlon, but the letter was not followed by legal action.
Although the earlier start time has made the event a less chaotic one, Benz lamented this year’s quieter Iron Man. He attributed the relative mellow to the long party weekend, the alleged inability of the younger generation to “party like its 1999,” and the absence of the effusive Aaron “Road Dog” Billor, who traditionally helps to whip up the energy levels.
“We need Road Kill,” Benz said.
At least 25 would-be participants were unaware of the early start time, and showed up with their boards too late to compete.
“It’s all about the working man,” Benz shrugged. “The early bird catches the worm, know what I mean?” ER
I thought Councilman DiVirglio and Chief Savelli were going to put a stop to this childess madness? At least that’s what they said at the last council meeting and in the newspaper. Typical politicians, all talk and no action. DiVirglio and Savelli’s not living up to their word says it all and goes to show we don’t need a highly paid chief who doesn’t live in the city or a councilman with an eastcoast mentality who cares only about his ego.
The Ironman has been around 36 years. That is a lifetime for many Hermosa residents. It has outlasted City Councils and buzz killing opponents of what is healthy harmless fun.
Kudos to a true visionary, Robert Benz.
All hail Burgie!
The 2010 Ironman was the best yet! Nothing got broken, no mess was left behind, nobody got hurt and everyone had a great time. I haven’t heard one complaint from a business or homeowner that it caused them any grief. So to the Police Chief, HBPD and those City Council members trying to close Ironman down; YOU WERE WRONG! Paul says it best, HB’s Ironman will be 37 years young next year and has outlasted many Chiefs, Councilmen and cops over the years and it will outlast you and your negativity too. And to All Talk No Action; I agree with your feelings about DiVirglio and Savelli but you need to come down to the beach on 7-4-2011 and see for yourself that Ironman is nothing but pure clean fun!
Isn’t there a better way to celebrate what our flag, constitution and national anthem mean to our country. It was a very pathetic video and frankly an embarrassment to the communities of both Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. I am not an uptight conservative type, but watch that video from outside the fishbowl and I think you will agree that a bunch of overly drunk middle-aged men partying with university student aged fraternity types is a new low for the the Fouth of July as well as the Iron Man. And I disagree it is not pure clean fun. I am not sure what your idea of pure clean fun is? How about this for the Iron Man-Instead of drinking, give the participants a test of American History related to events surrounding our Indepedence. Wrong answers are deducted from total times. As Thomas Jefferson remarked in what would be his famous last words…”Is this the Fourth?”…So, I call upon the citizens of both communities, not to cancel the Iron Man, but to create an event that is more appropriate and one that better reflects the high character of the citizens in those communities. Or simply do not ever uploaded videos of that event again, it makes our community look like a bunch of stupid, ignorant, drunken morons.
it makes our community look like a bunch of stupid, ignorant, drunken morons.
Isn’t that Manhattan Beach to a tee?