South Bay Boardriders Club Celebrates a Memorable Season

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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 and second place open women's winner Emma Waldinger
Meistrell and second place open women’s winner Emma Waldinger. photo by Tim Tindall

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.”

Warren Kushner and Shane Balzer. photo by Tim Tindall
Warren Kushner and Shane Balzer. photo by Tim Tindall

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.”

Chad Parks and Jamie Meistrell
Chad Parks and Jamie Meistrell

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

Results:

Micro-Grom Assist Total Points
1 Griffin Fields 50000
2 Thor Kowal 36496
3 Jonny Herrouin 29680

 

Micro-Groms (9&U) Total Points
1 Jake Chandler 48500
2 Karsten Wanke 42725
3 Finn Bertino 32253

 

Groms (12 & Under)
1 Beck Adler 50000
2 Joey Samuelian 31641
3 Billy Atkinson 28890

 

Boys (14 & Under)
1 Chad Parks 36657
2 Beck Adler 31835
3 Nathaniel Harris 22170

 

Juniors (18 & Under)
1 Cody Purcell 41662
2 Chad Parks 29762
3 Codee Stamis 24450

 

Open Men
1 Jamie Meistrell 35586
2 Kyle Brown 18887
3 Colin Weinberg 16141

 

Masters (40-49)
1 Warren Kushner 47225
2 Dave Schaefer 29091
3 Alex Gorodetzki 26165

 

Legends (50+) Total Points
Rodney Williams 40000
Mike Purpus 34612
Mark Silva 32594

 

Open Longboard
1 Dave Schaefer 35500
2 Steven Wilson 30908
3 West Adler 28133

 

Junior Women (18&U)
1 Megan Seth 35811
2 Kyra Williams 27803
3 Charlotte Sabina 24877

 

Open Women
1 Natalie Anzivino 44225
2 Emma Waldinger 22887
3 Emily Seth 21137
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