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Costa captures third in state championships
by Mike Purpus
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The Mira Costa surf team took a surprise third place in the Southern California High School Championships last weekend in Oceanside. Photo by Janet Lidow |
Mira Costa High surfers John Balk, Mike Siordia, and Tommy Ostendorf weren’t happy with the fact that nobody thought the Mira Costa team would be a threat in the Southern California High School Surfing Championships.
"Everyone was talking about Peninsula, Oceanside, San Clemente and Huntington," said the 16-year-old Siordia, who competed in both the short board and long board divisions. "It was like we didn't exist. But we just kept advancing and moving up the ladder."
Longboarder Tommy Ostendorf noted that "Peninsula might have finished ahead of us this season, but they only beat us by one point on one wave the only time they surfed against us."
No one was dismissive of the Mustangs when the contest ended and they finished in third place.
The championships were held at the Oceanside Jetty in high performance three- to four-foot surf last weekend.
"The waves were jamming, good contest waves," Siordia said.
The top two teams from each area on the coast were invited. Peninsula and Mira Costa represented the South Bay. Edison and Marina represented Huntington Beach. San Clemente, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Point Loma High School were among the schools from further south.
"San Clemente was the best overall. Longboarder Dodger Kremel from Marina High School was the best surfer in the contest," conceded Mira Costa captain John Balk, himself a longboarder.
Local favorite Peninsula High School was eliminated by Marina High in the first round, despite their perfect record in the regular season. Longboarder Chris Bredesen, Kira Gelman in the womens, and shortboarders Alex Grey and Matt Kelly are all regarded as among Southern California’s strongest high school surfers.
Grey was recently named one of the top 50 hot young surfers by Surfer Magazine. Peninsula even had a strong bodyboard team.
Wait ‘til next year
Redondo High only narrowly missed qualifying for this year’s championship. But with most of their stars returning, and Peninsula and Mira Costa losing their top competitors, The Sea Hawks are posed to represent the South Bay in Oceanside next year.
One reason Redondo coach Les Congelieri is hopeful is shortboarderJamie Miestrell, who is sponsored by Becker Surfboards, Ezikiel, and Body Glove.
"Wait until next year. Redondo will finish number one," said Meistrell, who got a boost in confidence during a recent trip to Hawaii’s North Shore.
"Pipeline got to 10 feet and I kind of froze. The take-off is so steep and the current is so strong. Alex Grey charged it. He was fearless. But I got even with him surfing Backdoor Pipeline on four-foot days. My favorite wave was Honolua Bay on Maui."
Earth Day contest
The upcoming Earth Day surf contest will offer a preview of next season’s high school competition. The South Bay Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is sponsoring the Seventh Annual Surf Day Contest on Sunday, April 22 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The contest will once again take place at Rosecrans Avenue in Manhattan Beach. This year’s event is being held in honor of South Bay waterman Joe "Dr. 360" Wolfson. The Marine St. local and big wave body boarder gained international attention three years ago after a failed ocean suicide attempt. He was suffering from terminal cancer and subsequently died in an auto accident.
The Earth Day contest is open to men and women, ages 13 and up. Competition divisions are: longboard, shortboard and bodyboard. The $30 entry fee serves as a donation to the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Competitors will receive a T-shirts. Mail-in entries must be received by April 19. A limited number of entries will be accepted at the beach the morning of the event for $35 each. Entries will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To download a contest application, visit the South Bay Surfrider web site at www.surfrider.org/southbay. To obtain more information, e-mail Steve Fisher at fishersteve@earthlink.net or call (310) 891-0559.
Costa surfer starts Clothing company
Mira Costa surfer John Balk and his father have started a surf clothing company called Auctiv, which has attracted a strong following among South Bays best surfers. John and his sister design the line. Partners Doug Weams and Steve Miedroth help with the marketing. John got the idea while surfing in Uluwatu's, Indonesia.
"It was twelve feet everyday and perfect. While I was out in the water I thought a clothing line would be a great way to get my family involved in something I loved. And maybe make some money."
Among the company’s team riders is, not surprisingly, Mira Costa teammate Tommy Ostendorf. ER