Community Corner

Pacifica's Annual Longboard Surf Contest Still Accepting Entry Forms

Surfers only have a few days left to submit their entry forms for the Pedro Point Surf Club's 21st annual Big Chill Out Longboard Surf Contest on Sept 17.

Calling all longboarders.There is still time to submit entry forms for participating in the 21st annual Big Chill Out Longboard Surf Contest, held this year on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Linda Mar’s Pacifica State Beach.

Known for drawing big crowds, the popular longboard surf event is hosted every year by the Pedro Point Surf Club (PPSC), which was formed by a group of surfers in 1987 at Pedro Point to raise funds for local community and beach-related nonprofits.

“Entry forms need to be in by Friday, September 9,” said PPSC president Greg Cochran. “This event is open to all ages. We have the youngest so far at 10 and the oldest person participating is 80 years old. The only requirement is that they need a surfboard that is nine feet long or three feet over their head.”

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The entry fee is $70 and includes dinner and an awards ceremony, which gives away more than 80 trophies at the Pacifica Community Center. The festivities continue into the evening with music and dancing at the Longboard Margarita Bar.

With more than 100 participants every year, contestants can expect to surf at least two rounds, if not more.

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“The event attracts surfers from San Diego to Washington State,” adds Cochran, “with some of the leading longboarders in the world.”

Surfboard makers, local surf shop owners, and even Pacifica’s former mayor Jim Vreeland surf the event.

Still, the Big Chill Out is “a fun event for mostly amateurs,” said Cochran, who’s participated in the surf contest every year since it was first started as a fund-raising event for ocean related non-profits.

Today, the Big Chill Out is PPSC’s major fund-raising event of the year that allows ongoing donations to Ride-A-Wave, Surfrider Foundation and Pacifica Beach Coalition.

This year there will be more than 40 sponsors, raffling off “thousands of dollars worth of surfing equipment from surfboards to wetsuits so everyone can participant,” said Cochran. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each.

Also, organizers will be introducing something a little different this year “that spectators will also like to watch in addition to the actual contest,” said Cochran.

It’s called Rick’s Relay, thought up by local surfing veteran and surfboard shaper of Wander Inn Surfboards Rick Eastman.

Six teams of four people will start on the beach. One team member from each team will run down into the water, paddle out, catch a wave and run back in, tagging the next person on their team to do the circuit again. Teams will be given points for finishing at the best time and for surfing ability.

“The Big Chill Out is really more than just a contest, games and prizes,” adds Cochran. “This event is a fun community event that brings together dedicated volunteers working for a good cause and giving back to our environment and others.”

 

For entry forms and more information, go to www.surfpedropoint.org or call 650-355-4956.


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