by Ralph Doyle
The South Bay Surf League was founded three decades ago and today represents 12 high schools and over 400 competitors from Santa Monica to San Pedro.
At the South Bay Boardriders Awards night, league director Richard O’Reilly announced the recipients the 2023-24 Rookies of the Year Awards, The Alex Gray Awsome Attitude Award, the John Joseph Dedication Award, the Waterman and Waterwoman Awards, and the SB Surf League Championship Cup.
O’Reilly began the presentations by thanking the league’s coaches and judges, among them this year’s Surfer Walk of Fame inductee Greg Browning, who coached South High.
“The league wouldn’t exist without the coaches and the judges, who are on the beach in the dark, in near freezing temperatures,” Dickie noted.
“It also wouldn’t happen without the sponsors,” he added. This year’s sponsors included Subaru Pacific, Spyder Surfboards, Rip Curl Wetsuits, Spy Sunglasses, Sun Bum Sunscreen, Da Kine Surf Accessories, Evolution Volleyball Club, Fight Like the Averys, and, Dickey noted, “Former judge, and still ripping surfer Chris Broman of Compass Real Estate.”
The honorees were nominated by the league coaches.
Lucia Martinez-Bermudez, from South High, and Jonny Herouin from Mira Costa were named Rookies of the Year.
Martinez-Bermudez is a sophomore exchange Student from Spain. She won this year’s Kickoff Classic, taking first in every heat, and won her division in five of her team’s seven contests this season.
Mira Costa coach Steve Meidroth described Herouin as the best freshman he has ever coached. He led the Mustangs to an unbeaten season and finished second in the All Stars meet. He also finished consistently on the podium in NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) contests up and down the coast.
The Alex Gray Awesome Attitude Award was presented by surf pro and former Palos Verdes High team rider Alex Gray to the surfer who is “always having a great time, and always encouragin other surfers.”
This year’s recipient was Sierra Pacifici from Santa Monica High. Her coach ,Marion Clark, said of Pacifici, “Sierra has done things for her team this year that have never been attempted before. What I find remarkable is how team oriented she is in such an individualized sport. Her stoke elevates the entire team.”
The John Joseph Dedication Award is named after the league founder, who is also a Hermosa Surfer Walk of Fame inductee.
“Without John Joseph, we wouldn’t have the league today. We present this award to the surfer who has demonstrated that same dedication to his team and to surfing,” Dickie said.
This years the John Joseph Dedication award went to Redondo team captain Tyler Anderson. Anderson is also a student board member of the South Bay Boardriders Club.
The Waterman and Waterwoman of the Year awards are presented toe the league’s best surfers.
Fin Ketola from El Segundo was selected as Waterman of the year. El Segunco coach Tyler Contarsy described Ketola as tirelessly working at improving his surfing. Ketola placed first in all of his shortboard heats this season, and finished on the podium in the longboard competitions.
Mira Costa’s Tea Trent was named Waterwoman of the Year. Trent has been a starter on the Mustang’s varsity surf team for four years, and has been equally successfully in the longboard and surfboard divisions. She also leads the Jimmy Miller Foundation Club at Mira Costa, is a junior board member for the South Bay Boardriders club, and is attending the State Lifeguard Academy.
The League Championship Cup was presented to Mira Costa. Mira Costa and Redondo were both undefeated when they met for the championship two weeks ago. Costa prevailed. ER
