Surfing event is like a reunion

By Bob Buttitta

August 21, 2000 Web posted at: 12:19 PM EDT (1619 GMT)

VENTURA, California (The Ventura County Star) -- Betty Elder, organizer of the annual California Street Longboard Championships, said the event is like a high school reunion on water.

"Most of the people that take part every year have surfed together all of their lives," Elder said. "So even though some of them have moved away from Ventura, they always make it a point to return for this particular longboard championship.

"They even bring their families to either surf in the event alongside of them or to cheer each other on."

This year's 14th annual event is scheduled for Sept. 14-15, but the deadline to enter is Aug. 25.

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The contest is open to amateur surfers of all ages. Age divisions are: men 19 and under; men 20-29; men 30-39; men 40-49; men 50-59; men 60 and over; and a women's open division.

In addition, there is the "Old Log" division, a throwback competition limited to 30 contestants who compete without wetsuits or leashes.

Elder said when the contest started in 1986 it was limited to Ventura surfers, but over the years, word spread about the event. Today, surfers from far beyond the Ventura city limits take part.

"We have a group of surfers from Santa Cruz coming," Elder said. "We even have a few surfers from Hawaii."

Elder said one of thing surfers like about the contest is how efficiently the contest is run.

"They like the fact that we start right at 6:30 a.m and heats take place every 15 minutes after that," Elder said. "Every year I have people come up and rave about the organization.

"We keep to a tight schedule and that means there's never a lull in the action."

One unique thing about this year's contest is that all proceeds raised will go the benefit the Stanley's Reef Foundation, (formerly Quantum Reef Foundation) a non-profit organization that was created in 1996 to help bring both marine life and the waves back to "Stanley's and Oil Piers," the former surf spot located between Ventura and Santa Barbara.

To help accomplish that goal, Oxnard's Gary Ross, a former surfer himself and founder of the non-profit organization, developed a plan to create and use a submersible and removable habitat and surf reef.

"The reef is designed to help solve the problem of shore erosion that is taking place in the area," Ross said. "In simple terms, the reef will force the waves to break off shore, dissipating the erosion and trapping sand behind the structure.

"It will protect the sand cell while bringing back the waves. In addition, the habitat will be a living reef that will be home to all types of sea life from lobsters to abalone."

Ross is optimistic the the project will be included in a pilot project being run by the federal government's Army Corps of Engineers as part of a federal act of Congress designed to stop beach erosion.

"Getting approval has been harder than developing the technology," Ross said. "We have applied for county grants that are generated from the state's oil revenues and are supposed to be used to help create recreation.

"It's like it was created for us. Once we get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, which we hope will be soon, we can get the project started."

Ross said he appreciates the support of the longboard contest.

"The community has been very supportive, particularly the surfing community," Ross said. "Being tied in with the contest is a great way to create more public awareness of our project and solidify support. I really appreciate what Betty and everyone else is doing."

Elder said they are happy to throw their support behind the cause.

"It's a pleasure to help share in a groundbreaking, innovative project," Elder said.

In addition to the surf contest, on Sept. 16, the Surfrider Foundation is holding the finale of its surflick series at the Ventura High School Auditorium.

Opening the show will be "Banned from the Beach," a surf band from Simi Valley that plays surf music. That will be followed by a showing of the surf movie, "Endless Summer," on 16 mm reels. Cost is $10.

Cost to enter the surf contest is $50. Awards will be given for first through six places.

For information or to get an entry form call Elder at 644-2678.

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