Before anyone could say “Beach Blanket Bingo!” Katin Surf Shop Seal Beach Surfing Championships race commenced last Saturday at the Seal Beach pier.
Thanks to a good surf forecast, the word went out on the Internet – “It’s on!”
The Seal Beach Lifeguard Association hosted the event over the weekend for the twelfth year in a row.
Held at Seal Beach’s main beach, the contest brings together the local surf community for a weekend of good vibes, friendly competition and tons of the “aloha spirit.”
The Seal Beach Surfing Championships is an annual weekend event that occurs in the middle of winter when the north side of the Seal Beach pier sees its best surf. Competitors are treated to a once a year opportunity-the chance to surf Seal Beach pier with just three other surfers out.
Day one of competition on Saturday saw shoulder to head high waves in the early morning. Early heats including the Masters Shortboard and Men’s Longboard division had exceptional surf for Seal Beach.
Chad Wells, Chas Wickwire and Bobby Baker were standouts in the Masters Shortboard Division. The Men’s Longboard Division also saw fantastic surf. Brock Jones showed everyone why he is one of the areas top longboarders by scoring a perfect ten in his heat.
Daniel Hernandez dazzled everyone with his tube riding ability and TJ Ridings wowed the crowd with some amazing nose riding. As the tide filled in through the middle of the day the surf began to slow down but the Menehune, Women’s and Seniors division made the best of what surf there was too offer.
As the Men’s Shortboard division took too the water the surf began to improve. Alex Gullett a two-time event winner was very dominant in the water despite the fact that he was five minutes late to his heat. He made it clear that he wanted to tie Ryan Simmons record of three men’s open shortboard victories. Young Kirk Weissinger was also slowly but steadily winning heats.
Day one came to a close with the Masters Longboard, Grom and Juniors divisions. The wind stayed down throughout the afternoon and beachgoers were treated to an amazing sunset as North side Seal Beach Pier saw excellent waves steamroll through the lineup.
Former Lifeguard Chief Steve Cushman had an old saying that went “when you least expect it…expect it.” Event organizers were reminded of this old statement as they showed up Sunday morning anticipating a smooth and enjoyable day. Event organizers awoke to an event site that had been ravaged by Mother Nature’s strong Santa Ana winds. Fortunately contest organizers knew that the show must go on and on a positive note these Santa Ana winds were making for some fantastic offshore surf.
The Men’s shortboard division kicked off the morning in absolutely flawless head high north side surf. The surfing done by all competitors in this division was absolutely unbelievable. The first part of day two was comprised of quarter and semi-final rounds but at 1pm the Finals for each division began. It was kicked off by the 11 and under menehune division. Sam Wickwire showed everyone that he has been taking his fathers surfing advice and easily won his heat and took home the Menehune title.
Following the Menehune division was the Grom and Junior divisions. Davis Freud won the Grom division while Justin Davis took home the Juniors title. Justin earned himself the nickname of Chad Wells junior for his strong surfing. Davis and Justin are both North side Seal Beach standouts and are two surfers that are expected to be dominating the Seal Beach surf lineup for a long time to come. Next up was the highlight of the event the Men’s Open Shortboard division.
Just as the division was about to begin Ryan Simmons made the announcement that history had been made. Thirteen-year-old Kirk Weissinger had made Seal Beach Surfing history as the youngest competitor to make the Men’s Open shortboard final. Kirk had been slowly making it through tough heats all day long in three different divisions. Unfortunately Kirk could barely hear Ryan’s announcement as he was in the water competing in the Juniors final and previously in the Grom division final.
Kirk was met in the Men’s open shortboard final by Chas Wickwire, Alex Gullett and Kyle Mcgeary. At this point in the afternoon the wind had switched from the east and was now blowing directly onshore making for very challenging conditions. Kyle was the surfer that adjusted the best and was able to take the win in the highly competitive Men’s open division.
The Men’s Longboard division followed, in which TJ Ridings showed everyone that old school nose riding was definitely not out of style and he easily took home the Men’s Open Longboard title. Tres Focht was up next in the Masters Longboard final as well as the Seniors final. Tres took the title in the master’s longboard final while longtime Seal Beach competitor and super nice guy Patrick Schlick took home the Seniors title.
No Seal Beach event would be complete without Chas Wickwire taking home at least one title during the weekend. Chas dominated his Masters Shortboard heat and took home the first place prize. Last up was the Women’s division. The women’s category was a highly competitive category but ultimately it was Mel Bouse who edged out Connie Hurst for the win.
In the end there can only be one winner in each division but this is not what the Seal Beach Surfing Championships is all about. This event is about a community coming together and sharing a weekend at their local surf spot. Chad Wells says it best, “Home is where the heart is.”
There may be better surf somewhere else but there is no better feeling than spending a weekend sharing waves at your local surf spot with all your friends. This is what the Seal Beach Surfing Championships is all about.
Alex Parton is a member of Seal Beach Lifeguard squad.
