Purpus nailed the win by going off the lip and getting air on his 10-foot Rocky Sabo longboard and then landing a floater. Even the judges applauded as he raised his arms over his head in celebration.
The former pro’s victory underscored an unforeseen consequence of the two-year-old surf club.
The club was formed in large part to provide a platform for young surfers. Saturday’s contest attracted over 30 groms (12 and under) and another 30 micro groms (9 and under).
But the club’s contest series has also reinvigorated local competition  in the men’s and women’s divisions.
The level of competition has risen steadily over the past two seasons with entries from former pros, such as Purpus, Shaun Burrell and Ted Robinson, high school and college team riders, such as Kelly Zaun and Dayton Silva and surf industry reps, such as Rich Silva, Matt Singley and Jax McCartney. The number of entries has also steadily risen, to over 200 on Saturday.
Saturday’s early heats were held in barreling over-head waves, though later in the day, low tide and wind created messy conditions.
Saturday’s favorites in the men’s open division were recently retired pro Shaun Burrell, who won last month’s ET SBBC contest, and Body Glove ringer Gabriel Pasteri, of Brazil. But it was Rich Silva, a Rosecrans local, who took take first. Another local Derek Brewer was second. Pastori and Burrell finished third and fourth. Lifeguard Tom Seth was fifth and Mira Costa High team rider Kelly Zaun was sixth.
Zaun also won the junior men’s (18 and under) division and the Best Maneuver award, which earned him a $100 prize, presented by Electra Sunglasses Jani Lange. Zaun called his maneuver a “nose pick.” After breaking the tail free, he stuck the nose of his board into the wave and pivoted the tail 360 degrees around the nose before straightening out.
Former South High surfer Natalie Anzivino, last months women’s open winner, and last year’s overall series winner, won the women’s open division, again, on Saturday. Body Glove team rider Chandler Parr was second, followed by Mira Cosa team riders Jordan Wible, Rachel Tominaga and Sara Kohrogi. Tamara Lentz of Spyder Surf was sixth.
Tominaga also won the junior girls (18 and under) division.
For the groms, the highlight of the day may have been getting to meet Jamie O’Brien, second place finisher the past two years in the Volcom Pipe Pro, and fellow Body Glove teammates Alex Gray, Cheyne Magnussonand Anthony Walsh. The groms also brought home swag from the Volcom sandal toss game organized by Jani Lange.
Top finishers received what might be the heaviest trophies ever presented in a sport known for unusual trophies. Body Glove’s Billy Meistrell affixed brass plaques to old scuba tanks that he cut in half with a blow torch and filled with dirt, topped by succulents. The trophies were so heavy that micro grom winner Finn Bertino asked O’Brien to accept the trophy on his behalf.
 Results: Open men’s – Rich Silva, Derek Brewer, Gabriel Pasteri, Shaun Burrell, Tom Seth, Kelly Zaun. Open Women’s Natalie Anzivino, Chandler Parr, Jordan Wible, Rachel Tominaga, Sara Kohrogi, Tamara Lentz. Juniors: Kelly Zaun, Vinney Leonelli, Noah Collins, Jordan Robinson, Codee Stamis, Will Reichel. Junior girls – Rachel Tominaga, Alidh Shelden, Macy Mckeegan, Saralyn Troeger, Maddie LoMonaco, Jessie Rowan. Boys: Kyle Beatty, Jack Rowan, Will Reid, Brennan Aubol, Ben Seaberry, Dylan Hord. Groms: Dylan Hord, Ben Seberry, Sebastian Mendes, Sam Reichel, Luke Synder, Trey Mahan. Micro groms: Finn Bertino, Charlie White, Piper Magraudy, Kieren Walls, Myles Gaffney, Kelly Murphy. Open Longboard – Dave Shaefer, Brent Bland, Greg Kloes, Steve Compas, tom Horton, Jiro Ikeda. Masters—Donny Wilson, Dave Schaefer, tom Seth, Steve Howe, Matt Walls, Christian Zingale. Legends – Mike Purpus, Nick Christensen, Scott Daley, Mark Theodore, Derek levy, Mike Boyd. ER
