Hermosa Beach doesn’t disappoint SB Boardriders/Waterman’s surf contestants
Johnny Hjorth looks for an opening during the SB Boardriders? Waterman’s contest at the Hermosa Beach pier on Sunday. Photo
Concerns that Hermosa Beach surf is too small for contests were disproved in dramatic fashion on Sunday. The nearly 200 entrants in the South Bay Boardriders/Waterman’s contest, held on the south side of the Hermosa Beach pier, arrived to find a four-foot swell that built to eight feet as the day progressed. Paddling out to the line-up was a challenge and finding a wave that didn’t close out a bigger challenge.
Juliano Uzuelli, the top ranked surfer in the SBBC open men’s division, broke his board in the first heat, but still managed to advance riding a borrowed softop.
In the following heat, top ranked masters surfer Dave Shafer broke his board.
Mira Costa surf team rider Alex Fry was credited with the ride of the day for a stand up barrell that he rode from the pier to half a block south before emerging. Lots of contestants pulled into barrels, but few emerged.
The sixth contest in the seven contests SB Boardriders series will be the Riviera Mexican Grill contest on Saturday, April 20 at Torrance Beach. The seventh and final contesst will be the Spyder contest in Manhttan Beach on May 18. Divisions range from grom assists to Legends. Club membership is not required to enter. ER
(Results to be posted soon).
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