South Bay Boardriders score sun, surf, despite weatherman

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The men’s open final of the South Bay Board Riders contest came down to a battle between the kid and the old guy, and between wetsuit rivals Body Glove and O’Neil.

The weatherman was predicting rain and wind, which there were, but not until late Saturday  afternoon, as the contest was winding down at 45th Street in Manhattan Beach.

During the morning and early afternoon, contestants enjoyed clean conditions and head high swells with so many peaks breaking in either direction that the judges had trouble keeping an eye on everyone who was up.

“This is not like the usual contest where you wait and wait for someone to catch a wave,” said busy spotter and score keeper Scott Valor.

Body Glove, which sponsored the contest, sent team rider Matt Pagan to uphold local honor. The 21-year-old El Porto regular got the job done, but not without a challenge from former Body Glove surfer and former El Porto regular Ted Robinson. The 47-year-old Robinson now works for O’Neil Wetsuits in Orange County. Robinson finished second to Pagan in the open division and first in the masters (40-49) division.

In the women’s division former West Torrance standout Natalie Anzivino edged out Becca Rosen for the second time in as many months. Anzivino and Rosen finished one, two in the inaugural SBBC surf series contest last month at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach.

After winning their opening round heats Pagan and Robinson went on to face pro surfer Dane Zaun, top ranked college surfer Dayton Silva, and local stand-outs Eddie Lester and Derek Brewer, who all won their respective opening round heats.

Ted Robinson returned with his son to his home break from his new home in Orange County. Photo

Approximately 150 surfers, ranging from micro groms (under 9) to legends (over 50) participated in 10 divisions, including women’s open and junior women’s.

Contest director Matt Walls and beach marshal Wright Adaza kept the heats on schedule by allowing water starts, which gave the competitors time to get in position before the starting horn. Because of the tightly spaced swells, paddling out was a challenge.

Doug Somers coordinated the competitors, Mike Balzer the logistics and Mike Downey was the head judge. Other judges were Greg Browning, Marc Theodore and Chris Broman. Darci Horton was the El Gringo burrito monitor.

The contest was sponsored by Dive N’ Surf, which provided swag bags that raised the bar to a level that has never been seen at a local contest. Each of the six finalists in the 10 divisions received Body Glove sunglasses, two dress shirts, dress shorts, three T-shirts, two hats and a $20 discount card redeemable at the Dive N’ Surf’s Yard Sale, which continues through March 27.  And a Reef calendar.

Saturday’s contest was the second of a five contest series presented by the SBBC. The top point earners in the men’s open and junior’s divisions will win Adventure Sports trips to either Nicaragua or El Salvador.

The next contest will be sponsored by Pier Surf and held at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach. Subsequent contests are set for April 16 at 45th Street in Manhattan, sponsored by Surf Concepts; and May 21 at the Manhattan Pier, sponsored by Spyder  Surf.

For more information visit SouthBayBoardriders.com.

Results, in finish order: Men’s open: Matt Pagan, Ted Robinson, Richard Silva, Dayton Silva, Jex McCartney, Dane Zaun. Women’s open: Natalie Anzivino, Becca Rosen, Rachel Tominaga, Lucine Aarsen, Jordan Wible, Diana Mausser. Men’s masters (40-49:) Ted Robinson, Scott Johnsen, Chris Rodriquez, Brian Bradford, Scott Whitmer, Chris Frohoff. Legends (50 and over): Scott Daley, Chris Moseley, Tom Horton, Kevin Cody, Otts Akamine, Bob Brigdon. Open longboard: Brent Bland, Gus McConnell, Josh Gilberts, Peter Vernardos, Andrew Vandermrk Bob Brigdon. Junior boys (18 and under): Kent Nisia, Angelo Luhrsen, David Slay, Noahh Collins, Aryn Farris, Tucker Oshia. Boys (under 14): Noah Collins, Cody Stamis, Kyle Brown, Jared Boyd, Henry Shea, Sam Dunbar. Groms (12 and under) Kyle Beatty, Clay Norian, Ron Sannes, Hudson Richie, Pat Komick, Cole Warner. Mico groms (9 and under) Shane Moseley, Kieren Walls, Noa Steinmetz, Cooper McEwan, Sebastian Kuhr, Ethan Iglio. Junior girls (18 and under): Filipa Ferrara, Jordan Wible, Rachel Tominaga, Keala Rusher. ER

Photographer Brad Jacobson and Chris Wells. Photo


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