The Coast News Group
Leilani McGonagle surfs in last year’s Supergirl Pro in Oceanside. File photo by Bill Reilly
Leilani McGonagle surfs in last year’s Supergirl Pro in Oceanside. File photo by Bill Reilly
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Supergirl Pro marks 9 year anniversary

OCEANSIDE — The annual Supergirl Pro surf contest is expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators to Oceanside Pier later this month. Top female surfers compete in the one and only 6-star, World Surf League sanctioned women’s surf contest.

This is the ninth year for the international three-day competition. In its early days it was a half-day contest held in conjunction with the annual Oceanside Longboard Surf Club Contest. Now it’s a solid stand-alone event.

Spectators will see more than 100 women surfers face off in back-to-back heats from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 22 and July 23, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. July 24.

The event combines top athletes qualifying for next year’s West Coast Tournament, and new up-and-comers.

California will be well represented with over 25 surfers competing from the Golden State, including Anatasia Ashley of San Clemente, current No. 1 ranked surfer Courtney Conlogue of Santa Ana, Sage Erickson of Malibu, and Lakey Peterson of Santa Barbara.

Closer to home locals Sidney Johnson and Kylie Lovel, both from Carlsbad, will compete.

Also in the water will be World Champion Carissa Moore of Oahu, Hawaii, last year’s Supergirl Pro winner Tatiana Weston-Webb of Princeville, Hawaii, and beloved Bethany Hamilton of Hanalei, Hawaii, who’s story of surviving a shark attack is featured in Oceanside’s California Surf Museum.

On the beach a festival village will feature live bands, an age 21 and older beer and wine garden, food trucks, giveaways and vender booths.

There will also be fitness classes, a free hair styling bar, and skateboarding competitions.

Talent on the ramps includes pro skateboarder and X Games winner Lyn Z Adams-Hawkins Pastrana of San Diego.

New to this year’s event is an all-female DJ competition, Female Leadership Summit panel discussion, and a Celebrity Surf Invitational to raise money and awareness for event charities.

Supergirl Pro partners with Boarding for Breast Cancer, a breast cancer education and prevention foundation.

Other nonprofit partners are Surfrider Foundation, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting the oceans, and Center for Surf Research, a hub for research on sustainable surf tourism.

Fans can also get autographs from top pros.

The contest and festival are free to attend.