PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

As our summer closes, I find myself looking forward to big south swells and Santa Ana conditions. Is there some aspect of your surfing you’d like to fine tune while we’re waiting? How’s your nose riding, anyway? I know, you want someone to give a class in surf etiquette and safety. Well, here it is. Our first surf clinic will be Saturday, September 23 at Tourmaline. Pacific Beach Surf team riders will coach and instruct all ages and abilities.

Contact our Program Chairman, Jeff Hackert jchack@barkingcow.com, and tell him what you need. Don’t be shy. We’ll have instruction on foam boards for beginners and contest strategy for competitors. Anyone interested in tandem? We have championship riders Travis Long and Haley Byrd on hand to get you started on this beautiful art form.

I hope to see you down there. Bring the family and friends. This one is really going to be fun.

Kathy Austin
President 2006

THE 22ND ANNUAL OCEANSIDE LONGBOARD SURFING CLUB'S
END OF SUMMER CONTEST & BEACH FESTIVAL, AUGUST 19 & 20

By Richard Steadham

Have you ever noticed that sometimes things come in numbers? The number "4" seemed to be the number for the PB Surf Club in Oceanside this year. Get this: Quintin Macklin in the Mens 20-29 finals, 4th; Derek Lodico in the Sr. Mens 30-39 finals, 4th; Pablo Smith in the Grand Masters 50-59 finals, 4th; the paddle team in the paddle competition, 4th; team overall placement in the final standings, 4th. Starting to see a pattern here?

Now I know I'm not an impartial observer, but I saw with my own two bloodshot eyes, Quintin, Derek and Pablo surfing circles around the other guys in their heats, but each only managed a 4th place. FOURTH PLACE! During the awards ceremony Sunday evening, we all sat there dumbfounded as each division's results were announced. The phrase, "We was robbed!" comes to mind. I may be exaggerating, but I did say I was impartial.

There is good news to report: Bob Greene took 1st place in the Legends 60+ finals (way to go Bob!); Nick D'Rov claimed 2nd place in the Menehune Boys 14 & Under finals (makin' us proud, Nick); Kathy Austin surfed her way into 3rd place in the President's Heat (hail the chief!); Bobby Challenger managed 5th in the Legends 60+ finals (Bobby our own legend, keeps on going like the Eveready Bunny); and Derek Lodico with Regina Moore heroically surfing in the Tandems heat with no previous tandem experience, just so the PB Surf Club could get points for placing a pair in the heat. Talk about taking one on the chin for the club. Derek and Regina, you've got guts. Our hats are off to you.

Our paddle team started their race off a bit slow, but made a big comeback in the final few relays by finishing fourth in a very exillerating heat (see lead photo above for team members). Before the race, Pier Moore stoked the fires of competition in all of us and assembled a very strong team. We knew we were destined to win with Pier's infectious enthusiasm. Alas, a good showing was all we could muster.

We can't really complain about the club placing 4th overall in the final standings. Look who we beat: Swami's Surfing Association, Huntington Beach Longboard Crew, Malibu Boardriders Club, La Jolla Shores Surfing Association, Ventura Surf Club, Big Stick Surfing Association, Long Beach Surf Club, San Onofre Surf Club and Newport Beach Surf Club. The clubs scoring above us placing first, second and third were: Doheny Longboard Surfing Association, 1st; Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club, 2nd; and Coronado Surfing Association, 3rd. Congrats to them.

Worth mentioning are the other team riders surfing for the club who didn't make it into their respective finals: Alex Greene taking it to the Jr. Mens 15-19 Semi Finals; Joe Drake surfing in the Sr. Mens 30-39 First Round; Jeff Hackert riding in the Masters 40-49 First Round; Rich Walwood surfing in the Masters 40-49 First Round; Pier Moore lasting till the Masters 40-49 Semi Finals; Ron Greene making it to the Grand Masters 50-59 Quarter Finals; Richard Steadham (the author) surviving to the Grand Masters Quarter Finals; Lisa Ryner riding in the Sr. Womens 30+ First Round; and Kathy Austin making it to the Sr. Womens 30+ Semi Finals. A good effort made by all.

It was a lot of fun for me this time as I was surfing in my first contest. Making it past the first round on Saturday was beginner's luck I'm sure. Reality raised its ugly head on Sunday though when I finished 6th (last place) in my Quarter Finals. It was fun while it lasted. Also fun was seeing other club members up in Oceanside there to hang out with us on the the beach and provide a supportive cheerleading squad for the home team. Take that as an inivitation to join us at the next Coalition event in Encinitas, when the Swamis Surfing Association holds their annual contest, this year at Moonlight Beach in October (exact date not yet set).

Come on out and support the club! If you'd like to surf in upcoming contests, check with club's Team Captain, Travis Long. His phone number is 858-204-6417. At the very least, come and join us on the sand and spend some quality time getting to know others in the club. You're more than welcome—you're part of the club!

Lisa Ryner photo by Kathy Austin. Hula hoop photo by Richard Steadham. All other photos by Lisa Ryner, including the lead art at the top.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS