OCEANSIDE — The Bud Light Lime Surf Series invitational brought the best in men’s and women’s surfing to Oceanside Harbor north jetty June 1 and June 2.
Among the 40 competitors were surfing legend Lisa Andersen, and professional surfers Aaron Cormican, Dylan Graves and Nate Yeomans.
“It’s really meant for people to have a good time and offers a variety of surfers a showcase world tour,” Chris Conrad, event founder and director, said. “It includes world champs and video guys who don’t often compete. It’s a unique mixture of athletes.”
Out of the contest’s 40 competitors, eight women competed.
“A couple of the younger girls are really good,” Andersen said. “For girls, it’s a good place to keep the competition going.”
The two-day competition saw small, well-shaped waves and warm water temperatures.
“The level is up there,” Graves said. “When a decent set comes in they do something explosive if they get a chance.”
The first day of the event preliminary heats were held along with some one-on-one surfing instruction for Wounded Warriors, men and women who were severely injured serving in the United States Armed Forces.
The second day semi-final and final heats continued with half of the competitors eliminated and then another half cut before the final heat.
“It’s a beach break so you have to have a little luck,” Andersen said.
The contest is scored by double round elimination that allows each surfer to compete in two heats and have their best score counted to determine whether they move forward to finals.
This scoring system gives surfers more opportunities to show judges what they can do, and spectators more great surfing to watch.
“Everyone surfs at least twice and tries to better their own score,” Conrad said. “Surfers can be more risky than in a normal contest. It’s a good show.”
The contest at Oceanside Harbor north jetty is the first of three competitions in the Bud Light Lime Surf Series that offers a total prize purse of $125,000. The next competition will be held Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, in Nags Head, N.C.
The third date and location has yet to be finalized.
“We’re hoping it’s in California,” Conrad said. “It will be announced in a week.”
Complete contest information and results are online at budlightlimesurfseries.com.
