Editor’s note: contest director and DropZone LA editor Ed Solt had a conversation with himself about the 1st annual Hermosa Beach Hotdogger Championships Presented by Subaru Pacific, which takes place this Saturday on the south side of the Hermosa pier.
Q: What is a hotdogger?
A: A “hotdogger” is ‘60s slang for a surfer who rides a wave very well with an assortment of tricks and a stellar command of surf showmanship. “Hotdogging” commonly pertains to small wave antics and acrobatics and not charging the heavies. Noserides, cutbacks, walking the nose, rollercoasters, lip bounces, kickstalls, and whatever insane gesture fits the bill. Legendary South Bay surfer Dewey Weber is credited as the “original hotdogger.” (A statue/water fountain of Weber is being built in front of the Hermosa Beach Playhouse. The statue is a rendition of a Leroy Grannis shot of Weber whipping a drop knee cutback at Hermosa Beach).
Q: When was the last time a “longboard only” contest has been held in the South Bay
A: In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the “Aloha Days” surf contests were held at the same place we are holding the Hotdogger. It was great because it attracted the top longboarders from up and down the coast, and the event also brought together those star surfers from the ‘60s who were only in their early 50s and hadn’t lost a step. I was stoked to witness these guys in the water still in their primes. The thing I admire most about “Aloha Days” it brought the whole longboard community together, from grom to silverback, which is one of my goals with the hotdogger. It’s been eleven years since the last “Aloha Days” and the South Bay/Southern California is ready for a proper longboard contest.
Q: What is the significance of holding the Hotdogger Southside of the Hermosa Beach Pier?
A: Hermosa Beach is the true surf city. In the ‘60s, we had five of the biggest surf shops/factories in the world in our city limits; Jacobs Surfboards, Bing Surfboards, Dewey Weber Surfboards, Rick Surfboards, and Greg Noll Surfboards. We had a miracle mile of surf shops on PCH. Shoot, what area do you think the Beach Boys sang about? I’m not going to list the surfers who also contributed, just walk the Hermosa Beach Pier and check out the HB Surfing Walk of Fame.
Another South Bay claim to fame is the Dewey Weber Classics held at the Manhattan Beach Pier in the early 80s. If you’re not familiar with surf history, the surfboard went short in the late 60s. Shortboards were the popular shape through the 70s. The Dewey Weber Classics jump started the resurgence of the longboard. From what I heard, these contests brought together the old crew and the parties were legendary, very legendary.
Q: What makes your contest different than the others?
A: My rules on expected surf equipment. Singlefins, no leashes,heavy glass, and smiles. At the same time, I’m not going to turn anybody away from competition because they’re wearing a leash or riding the wrong board. We are an event for the community. For the more competitive divisions like the “Aloha HR Open Hotdogger Division” there’s a cash purse. Our judges will be judging more closely to the rules that’s on the website. Oh, and there is no interference calls. Just, don’t be a dick out in the water. We also have the “King Harbor Brewing Co. Superdogger Expression” heat.” It’s only $20 to enter. All Contestants will put $20 in a jar. Winner takes the entire contents of the jar. Contestants must ride a pre-1968 surfboard and wear no wetsuit. Since we plan on stacking as many people in the heat and don’t have enough jerseys, contestants wear their own Hawaiian shirt. Celebrity judges decide the winner on one single wave.
Besides the contests, our sponsors will be posted up all over the beach with free giveaways. We invited the local surf shop community to also come hang out and post underneath a canopy. Dirty Hippie Radio will be playing the surf tunes. Awards will be at Watermans Safe House just on the pier with King Harbor Brewing Co brewing a special beer on tap.
The Hermosa Beach Hotdogger Championships Presented by Subaru Pacific takes place this Saturday October 3rd on the southside of the Hermosa Beach Pier 7am. For more information and sign-ups go to HBhotdoggers.com
