Hermosa tests hotdoggers

Taka Inoue, of Japan, took over the right next to the pier to place first in the Hotdogger Pro division. Photos The Fourth Annual Subaru Pacific Hotdogger Surfing Championships drew 50 of the top-rated longboard surfers from around the world to the south side of the Hermosa Beach Pier on Saturday. The sun was out and so were plenty of fast, glassy, 3-foot tubes to ride. Eddie Solt put on the event with the help of long-time surf buddy Shawn O’Brien as head judge. The judges included John Grannis, Pat Cahil, David Wells, Jon Mangiagli, Marisa and Surf Sista as the main judges. “Eddie and I were going crazy trying to be fair seeding the heats,” O’Brien said. “We finally agreed to have everyone show up at 6 a.m. to pull their names out of a hat. The first six guys were the first heat. Some of the heats were more loaded than others but it was the only fair way to do it.” Bobby Warchola was doing an outstanding Rick Dees announcing job. I think he is going to be a radio DJ. “This is the first contest I have been to as a spectator. It is really nice,” observed Beth Cambell, who helps South Bay Boardriders contests. Shane Jones was busy drumming up sales for his new Hotdogger wetsuit…

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