Athletes from 8 to 80 join lifeguards in 56th Surf Festival competition
Members of the Los Angeles County Southern “A” team celebrate after winning the 2017 Taplin Bell competition. Photo
by Randy Angel
From beach volleyball to running to aquatic sports, the International Surf Festival has something for everyone.
The City of Redondo Beach is the 2018 host of the event, which is presented by BeachSport.org, the Chambers of Commerce and Cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles County Fire Department and Department of Beaches and Harbors.
The three signature events l are the Judge Taplin Lifeguard Medley Relay, the Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim, and the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Volleyball Tournament. Other events include contests in surfing, bodysurfing, beach run, paddleboarding, dory race, and youth events.
One of the great rivalries occurs during the swimming competition when Ryan Bullock, of Torrance, and San Pedro’s Kevin Fink go head-to-head.
Bullock, now 34, won his second straight title last year after Fink sandwiched victories in 2015 and 2013 with Bullock winning in 2014.
““I always know Kevin will be the guy to beat,” Bullock said. “He’s only 22 so the age factor comes into play.”
Bullock and Fink were swim teammates on LA County-Southern’s Taplin Medley winning team last year..
Beach volleyball kicks off the action with the Charlie Saikley 6-Man tournament drawing more than 50,000 spectators to the north side of the Manhattan Beach Pier. This year, the event has been moved to Friday and Saturday to make team participation more convenient. Fletch and Horny Unicorny are aiming to defend their men’s and women’s titles, respectively.
The Bud Stevenson Intracrew Medley Relay takes place under the lights Friday beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the north side of the Hermosa Beach Pier. The Los Angeles County Lifeguard competition consists of two runners, four swimmers, four paddlers, one surf ski paddler, and four two-person dory. Teams will include last year’s winner Hermosa Beach, plus Cabrillo-Torrance-Redondo; Manhattan Beach; Dockweiler; Venice; Santa Monica; Will Rogers; Malibu; Zuma Beach; and the Baywatch Rescue Boat Crews.
Prior to the event, Los Angeles County Lifeguards will also compete in the 6-lifeguard run relay; 4-lifeguard shallow water sprint relay; and the 6-lifeguard rescue board relay.
On Saturday evening in Hermosa Beach, the Judge Irvin Taplin Medley Relay takes place. The Los Angeles County Southern “A” team will attempt to retain its title.
Consisting of four swimmers, four paddlers, and four 2-man dory teams, the event is the most prestigious lifeguard event in the United States. The Taplin relay has been held every year since 1936 with the exception of 1942 through 1945 because of World War II. The winning team gets the honor of holding the “Taplin Bell” perpetual trophy until the following year’s race. The individual names of all 16 team members from the winning team are engraved on the perpetual trophy to mark their place in history.
Prior to the Taplin relay, rescue demonstrations, Jr. Lifeguard relays, and Lifeguard Beach Flags take place.
Saturday’s action also includes body surfing, surfing, R-10 paddleboard race, the Dick Fitzgerald 2-mile run and California Beach Volleyball (also on Sunday).
Sunday’s competition includes the Velzy-Stevens Pier-to-Pier Paddleboard championship, sand castle contest, Jr. 6-Man beach volleyball and the Paul Matthies Dory Race.
For a complete list of events and times, visit surffestival.org.