Surfing Into History

Click on images on the right to view all pictures of the event.

Sunshine and clear skies once again found their way to the Eighth Annual OMBAC Classic Longboard Contest at the Crystal Pier. With the blur of media and information surrounding the shocking events of the past week, this year's contest was a perfect forum for OMBAC members and competing surfers to look to the Pacific Ocean for reminders of a world rich in what is good and right. As contest rules dictate, all contestants must surf on a classic longboard during their heats- creating, on the beach, a museum of magic boards from surfing's history. As if the opportunity to ride a piece of history combined with perfect weather weren't enough, all proceeds from the day's activities will be used to buy materials for making beach wheelchairs. Things were looking up this day.

San Diego's well known board doctor, Joe Roper, provided 22 classic boards to ensure everyone had the proper equipment. "These boards spend their time on walls, and they are dying to be surfed." Explains Joe as he loans me a Dale Velzy board with a huge wooden scag. "It's fun to watch some really great surfers ride these great old boards." Then, demonstrating the proper riding technique for a classic longboard, Joe surfed his way into the semi-finals of the contest.

Surfers riding these boards of history shared Joe's enthusiasm and stoke for the day. Rory Cornelius, a young contestant from El Cajon, appreciated how meaningful these boards are to surfing. "You can see that the designs of the boards we surf today originated from these boards of the past" He said while admiring several boards lying together on the beach. That these boards remind us of surfing's amazing past was not lost on anybody on the beach. Two competitors, Mike Petersen and Gabe Forman, talked of what surfing these boards must have been like. "You really have to work to turn these boards." claims Mike, adding that the legendary board riders had to ride these boards in all surf conditions.

Summer Romero recognized the true spirit the Classic Longboard Contest as well. Summer, fresh off her 2nd place finish at the Women's World Longboard Championship in Costa Rica, participates in this event for the chance surf in such a familiar environment. "Knowing everyone here, surfing my home break and riding cool surfboards gives this a fun atmosphere." Smiles Summer regarding contest. Observing the surf from the beach, she points out the board she's riding. "It's fun to compete on such different boards. It helps me to become a more well rounded surfer."

The positive vibe was definitely not limited to surfers this day, though. The members of the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) were hosting a fantastic party. "Having a great time and raising money to buy the wheels for the beach chairs are perfect reasons to be here today," points out Tom Lemon, the event coordinator. Directing my attention to the oversized rubber tires for the chair he explains, "The tires are around $75 each, and OMBAC provides the labor needed for the construction of the chairs." These beach wheelchairs are used to provide the opportunity for physically disabled people to enjoy the beach and even float into the surf. "Our goal", declares PR director Phil Herr, "is to have chairs from the border all the way to Camp Pendleton." This summer, 800 children at Camp Able on Coronado Island were provided the opportunity to explore the wonders of the beach and experience the touch of the ocean on chairs provided by OMBAC. "We have chairs at 4 different lifeguard towers in Pacific Beach and Coronado Beach. They are available to anyone," Phil proudly informs me. To learn more regarding OMBAC and the beach wheelchairs visit ombac.org.

Smiles found there way onto every face at the event, and the bond shared by surfers was prominently evident. During the heats competitors were heard cheering other surfers into the two to four foot surf.
Splitting time between admiring the boards on the beach and watching the surf action from the Crystal Pier, attendees were also treated to a classic American cookout complete with chili, burgers and beer. Meandering through the crowd this day, I noticed people were discovering that spark of life gained through charity and community involvement. OMBAC should be proud of their effort this day.

Surfing, though, made the day. With Old Glory draped over the north side of the pier, the crowd that gathered to watch the finals witnessed some amazing surfing. The entertainment provided during the final heat by the competitors spurred spectators to hooting and hollering as these guys pulled out every trick in the book. From Pierre Moore shooting the pier to the amazing nose rides by the 2001 Champion, Ben Fassbaugh, great scores were achieved across the board. Here are the results.

OMBAC Club Champion: Kelly Schumacher

Menehune Division
4. Rory Cornelius
3. Mike Lamprides
2. Barny Sullivan
1. Adam Sitcoscy

Open Division
4. Pablo Smith
3. Wes Holderman
2. Jojo Roper
1.Ben Fassbaugh

Surfshot.com congratulates all of the surfers participating in this year's OMBAC Classic Longboard Contest.

We also congratulate the men and women of OMBAC for staging this incredible day. In the face of adversity they achieved the goal of providing a day where surfers and beach goers could relax and enjoy themselves. With class and consideration, OMBAC's contest successfully raised funds for beach wheelchairs, enabled surfers to be in touch with their history, but most importantly reminded us of the great potential the future holds.