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“Redondo and Palos Verdes are the two most equal surf teams in the league,” said League Director Dickie O’Reilly. “This is the closest match up of the league.”
All photos by Saul Zaragoza
The offshore breeze brought in the sweet smell of breakfast from the local Hermosa Beach eateries as the South Bay Surf League contest season resumed last Wednesday at the pier. Surf was in the three to five foot range in mostly walled conditions with the occasional corner off the pier. Every so often, an outside overhead set swept in the competition to the roar of the crowd. The challenging conditions tested the Redondo and Palos Verdes Surf Team surfers, as Redondo took down PV for the first time in eight years..
The shortboard men’s division started off with PV’s Peter Healey, in blue, getting a good right with high scoring maneuvers.
“Wow, blue just floated the goat,” said head judge Chris Wells. “That’s a sign of things to come for a great contest.”
Healey’s floater couldn’t beat Redondo’s Kyle Beatty, who used his local knowledge to pick off the best rights off the pier for first place.
PV’s Jack Rowan struck back in the second men’s shortboard heat. Rowan got a big rock and roll coaster on a set wave for first place. Tate Curran of Redondo placed second with a few huge coasters of his own.
The lowering tide all morning affected the shapes as the swell was increasing by each heat.
“There’s bombs out the back,” said judge Chris Broman. “Taking off on set waves will increase scoring potential.”
Immediately after the horn was blown for the women’s shortboard heat, one of “Broman’s Bombs” took out the aggressively paddling lady surfers. PV’s Alicia Stephan was the first out and nailed a good right to place second. Short in stature in a white jersey, Redondo’s Hali Honea ripped the inside section for first place.
“White is super quick,” said Wells. “She’s like a female Gabriel Mendina [last year’s World Surf League winner].”
Redondo ran away with the lead in the longboard division by claiming the top three spots. It was close between Redondo’s Kris Hall and Curran. Kris Hall, who is more of a longboarder, was taking off on the better inside shaped waves. The regular foot was hotdogging in the purest form on his self-shaped shred stick hanging heels and hanging ten. Curran bested him by sticking to the set lefts blasting off the lips and slashing cutbacks. By halftime, the score was Redondo 49, PV 34.
In the Body Board Division, Redondo kept on the same beat sweeping with the top three divisions. Vincent Ragone won the heat with a set barrel and an “El Rollo” off the lip. Second place finisher Liam Trodden with an “ARS” [Air Roll Spin].
Stephan took the same tactic for the women’s longboard division of setting the tempo with the first bomb off the heat. This time it paid off with the win. Redondo’s Paige Sullivan took some gas on the inside but did not deter. She placed second with a good right
The lowering tide transformed the contest to a closeout barrel feast for the final men’s shortboard heats. PV’s Chad Brown finished second with an inside lip bounce. Luke Meyers of Redondo won the heat with a driving right barrel to demolition on the inside sand bar.
The final heat was full dirty, sandy , barrels and no hope for an open face. Trevor La Shure of Redondo won by tracking the most distance in the tube while PV’s Sean Ely was just behind him for second place.
Final Score: Redondo 98, PV 69. ER
