Despite the meager waves, there was no shortage of groms and masters tromping down the steps early Sept. 6 to compete in two surf contests held at D Street.
The Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Cardiff-by-the-Sea sponsored its first “Beach Party and Surf Contest.” While the church is better known for hosting musical extravaganzas and lectures by world-class spiritual advisors, there was an abundance of surfers of all ages and experience ready to take to the waves to help raise funds. “It’s all for a good cause,” Steve Craft, an Encinitas resident, said.
Several of the youngest surfers also participated in Benji Weatherley’s fifth annual “Little Humans Contest” held just south on the same beach. The free contest paved the way for groms to shred waves and mingle with pro surfers. A pro himself, Encinitas native Weatherley typically has high-profile friends stop in to judge the heats.
“This contest is a day I get to share with the groms of San Diego,” Weatherley said in a statement. “I love watching the kids have this day of uninhibited fun surfing with me and my professional surfer friends. It’s my favorite event of the year.”
Nine-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater watched as kids from ages 6 to 17 competed before he took to the water for a quick session. “I was stoked to see Dane (Reynolds) and Kelly (Slater) actually spending some time with the kids,” Jan Sepick of Carlsbad said. “It was a totally mellow day where everybody was a winner, as corny as that may sound.”
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