Fog blinds judges, delays ET/South Bay Boardriders surf contest
Jamie Meistrell landed this air after the horn. But he still advanced to the finals. Photo Sketchy conditions turned optimum during the early hours of the ET Surf/South Bay Boardriders Surf Series Contest Saturday at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach. The rain gave way to burning sun, the tide backed off and consistent head high waves began from breaking outside to the beach. And then, as the finals heats were about to begin, something happened that the three year-old contest series had never been confronted with before. The fog rolled in. Judges couldn’t tell the colors of the contestants’ singlets. Contest organizers called for a 15 minute delay to let the fog clear. And then another 15 minute delay. By then it was apparent the fog bank wasn’t going to lift. Spectator Don Ruane checked his smart phone and learned that the fog bank extended 300 miles out to sea and south to San Diego, where it forced cancellation of the PGA tournament at Torrey Pines. The novel situation elicited some novel ideas from the race organizers. Require the surfers to ride only the inside waves. Resume the contest the following morning. Select winners based on completed heats. After an hour-long debate…
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