South Bay Boardriders Club Celebrates a Memorable Season

Surf coach Jamie Meistrell hit the stage at the 2015 South Bay Boardriders Award Ceremony at Watermans in Hermosa Beach wearing his heart on his sleeve.

“It’s a honor to surf these contests,” said Meistrell, upon accepting the Open Men’s title for the second year in a row. “I dedicate this award to all the students I coach and to their parents.”

Meistrell’s influence has been seen all season. On the beach, his pep talks motivated his students. He stressed enjoying the surfing in contests, relaxing and making the best decisions on catching the best waves.

“The one word of wisdom I pass on to my students is that it’s not about winning. It’s about consistency,” he said to the audience. “I didn’t win one contest, but I accumulated the most points to win the division.”

SBBC President Mike Balzer and his “Wright” hand man Wright Adaza were at the contest sites from dusk to dawn, clocking in 12 hour shifts. Longboard division winner Dave Schaefer was the “MacGyver of the Season” (minus the killer mullet), jerry rigging anything broken. Karen Tominaga and Shane Balzer managed the scoring.

“I’d like to commend all the volunteers and judges that made this season happen,” said Balzer. “In particular, I’d like to acknowledge Karen Tominaga.”

Masters division winner Warren Kushner presented Tominaga with a Linus bike, manufactured by his brother.

Kushner was the man to beat all year in the Masters (40-49) division. When he was called to receive his award, a brand new Body Glove wetsuit, he had other plans.

“I’m really stoked to have won this wetsuit, but I feel somebody else deserves it for their hard work all season,” Kushner said. “All year, there would be this kid running around the contest site helping out his father. His name is Shane Balzer.”

Kushner called up the junior Balzer and presented him with the certificate for anew Body Glove wetsuit.

Throughout the season, Meistrell and Balzer noticed a certain towhead grom, who had dramatically improved from the prior year.

“Chad Parks not only won the Boys Division but stepped up a division to place second in the Junior Division,”  Meistrell said, as he handed Parks a gift certificate for a new wetsuit. Chad worked hard all season and so we’d like to recognize him as Most Improved Surfer.”

After all of 11 division winners were announced, the emcee Adaza told the audience, “I’d like to commend all the volunteers, judges, sponsors, surfers, and parents for another great year. I look forward to next year.” ER

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