Pagan powers through to win Becker/SB Boardriders surf contest

Near gale force winds were still blowing when set up began at 5 a.m. Saturday morning for the Becker Surf/South Bay Boardriders. But there was never a thought about canceling the contest, said contest marshal Wright Adiza.

“The point of contests is to challenge the surfers,” he said. Photos by Balzer. Photos

The challenge was paddling out. By 7 a.m. when the first heats began the wind had stopped, but overhead waves were marching in at six second intervals. The relentless white water, coupled with a fast moving current sweeping south, humbled more than a few contestants into settling for soup sliding to record the two waves needed to advance.

But as the tide receded the paddleout became easier and the waves remained plentiful. Eventual open men’s winner Matt Pagan popped up so often in the 25 minute final that the judges were concerned he’d exceed the 10 wave limit. He stopped at nine. The other five finalists — Shaun Burrell, Jamie Meistrell, Tom Seth, Dayton Silva and Kent Nishiya — also approached the 10-wave limit.

Following the contest, Pagan took on the role of sponsor, presenting women’s open winner Natalie Anzivino and Junior Boys winner with awards for best maneuvers. Pagan and his brother Mike operate the surf web site One4LA.com.

There was no ironman award. But if there were one, it would have gone to Tom Seth. The LA County lifeguard won the masters division, finished third in the longboard division and fourth in the open division. His daughter Emily nearly matched her dad’s effort with a third in the junior women’s and a fourth in the women’s open.

The fourth contest in the six-contest series is April 13 in El Porto. Surf Concepts is the sponsor. For more information visit SouthBayBoardriders.com DZ