Photos by Steve Gaffney (SteveGaffney.com)
The offshore winds that drove flames from the Pacific Palisades highlands to the sea at the north end of Santa Monica Bay, destroying over 6,000 homes, created ideal conditions for the nearly 200 surfers who competed in the Dive N’ Surf/South Bay Boardriders contest. The contest was held on Saturday, January 11 at Torrance Beach in offshore winds that kept smoke that painted the sky away from the competition.
Instead of canceling the contest, the Boardriders Club made the contest a donation center for surfboards, wetsuits, Boogey Boards, and fishing poles, which were delivered to Palisades surfers last week.
“We hope this effort can help bring some joy back into their lives after all they have lost and suffered,” SBBC President Tom Horton said.
The fast, shoulder high waves gave high-flying World Surf League Qualifying Series competitor Kei Kobayashi, of San Clemente, all the speed he needed to dominate the men’s finals. Beau Werger, another WSL QS competitor placed second and Dest Dorigny, of Malibu was third.
In the women’s division, Teagan Meza, who is also a WSL QS competitor, and her sister London, continued their domination of the Women’s Open division, Teagan placed first and London third. Eva Mota, a WSL QS competitor from Dominican Republic, placed second.
The next contest in the SBBC seven contest series is in El Porto on February 8, sponsored by El Porto Surf Shop.
For complete contest results and more about the South Bay Boardriders contest visit SouthBayBoardriders.org. ER
