A large number of top, local surfers and one, recently retired local pro surfer were among the competitors in the ET/South Bay Boardriders contest Saturday at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach. The recently retired pro was Shaun Burrell, who quickly reminded spectators of the difference between top locals and a pro. Burrell found speed to spray wider and fly higher than seemed possible in the generally soft surf to best newly turned pro Dane Zaun in the open mens final.
Saturday’s contest was a make-good for the contest cancelled the previous weekend because of high winds and rain. The wait was worth it. Waist- to head-high waves, still air and 75 degree weather made for the best South Bay contest conditions in recent memory.
Over 200 surfers competed, including 30 micro groms (9 and under). That’s double the number of micro groms registered to compete in all ofSouthern California’s NSSA contests, South Bay Boardriders Club president Mike Balzer pointed out.
One of the club’s goals is to nurture promising young surfers. On that count alone, Saturday’s contest was a success. Micro grom (nine and under) Hermosa Valley student Shane Moseley won his divisions and then moved up to win the groms (12 and under) division. Following his victories, Moseley was invited to join the Spyder Surf team.
Another micro grom stand-out on Saturday was 7-year-old Noah Steinmetz. His rides from the outside through to the inside reforms earned him second place in his division and a sponsorship invitation from Body Glove.
A third grom who caught everyone’s attention was in Saturday’s contest was Parras Middle School student Hudson Richie. Because there is no grom longboard division, Richie competed in the men’s long board division, riding an old school, heavy glass, Becker single fin. He won his first heat to earn a bye in the repachage. In the six-man finals, Richie placed second to veteran longboader Dave Schaefer, whose hotdog performance rivaled Burrell’s short board show.
Top finishers were — Open Mens: Shaun Burrell, Dane Zaun, Justin Swartz. Women’s open: Natalie Anzivino, Tamara Lentz, Jordan Wible. Boys juniors (18 and under): Kelly Zaun, Noah Collins, Jordan Robinson. Girls Juniors: Rachel Tominaga, Jessie Rowan, Linea Fuller. Boys (14 and under): Peter Healey, Jack Rowan, Trevor LaShure. Groms (12 and under): Shane Moseley, Dylan Hord, Ryan Ulrich. Micro-groms (9 and under): Shane Moseley, Noah Steinmetz, Aiden Carter. Longboard: Dave Shaefer, Hudson Richie, Dylan St. Germain. Masters (40-49): Donny Wilson, Matt Walls, Nick Christensen. Legends (50+): Scott Daley, Nick Christensen, Mike Purpus.
The next South Bay Boardriders Contest will be sponsored by Dive N’ Surf and held Feb. 19 at 45th Street in El Porto. To register visit SouthBayBoardriders.com.
