The Surfrider Foundation’s Newport Chapter, joined by their Siuslaw and Portland Chapters, hosted 63 competitors and over 200 spectators for the 6th annual Otter Rock n’ Roll Youth Surf Contest and Beach Cleanup Challenge in celebration of International Surfing Day. The event drew competitors from all over Oregon and a few as far away as Washington and California. Observed globally, International Surfing Day celebrates the sport of surfing and helps raise awareness about issues facing our oceans, waves, and beaches.
Parents assist kids for Parent w/ Child Division
Check out more photos from the event on our photo page here
The 18 and under surf contest and beach cleanup challenge kicked off Saturday morning at Otter Rock/Devil’s Punchbowl State Park, running 22 fifteen-minute heats in divisions from “Best Beginner,” which comes with surfing lessons and all the gear for surfing provided by non-profit Warm Current, to the hot shot 16-18 year-olds. The weather provided for plenty of sunshine and the sheltered conditions of Otter Rock kept the competition out of the wind with small, but fair swell. Conditions were favorable for the youngest, with small enough waves to keep them stoked, but not intimidated. While the older kids could have hoped for some larger, steeper waves, they made the most of every opportunity in the water. The “Parent with Child” division was the most popular with 18 parent/child teams battling it out over 6 heats throughout the day. The beach cleanup challenge, a popular way for the non-surfer and surfers alike to participate, awarded prizes for the biggest, the tiniest, and the longest travelled pieces of debris, among other creative and fun categories. The challenge teaches stewardship and awareness of marine debris while rewarding and reinforcing cleanup behaviors. “We want the kids to have a good time surfing, and in a fun way also understand that it’s up to us to protect what we all love – our oceans, waves and beaches,” said Matt Hawkyard, this year’s contest organizer.
Brody Winger, stoked on his 1st place win!
Contest Results: (1st,2nd,3rd respectively)
Child w/ parent: Brody Winger, Taylor Tice, Avery Snavely
12/under Girls: Sarina Lacey, Isabelle Serrato, Joey Reisinger
12/under Boys: Nikolai Krutzikowsky, Seth Johnson, Kainoa Trumbull
13-15 Girls: Savannah Russo, Emily Thome, Maria Barten
13-15 Boys: Jonee Wright, Jesse Henton, Ronan Krutzikowsky
16-18 Girls: Mckenna Thome, Autumn Bell,
16-18 Boys: Theo Hollen, Jed Werner, Logan Weeks
Best Beginner: Leah Delanger, Tessa Osburn, Abigail George
The Newport Chapter is extremely grateful to our local sponsors who make this fun, family event so special for our community – Savory Café, Ocean Pulse, Ossie’s Surf Shop, Oregon Surf Shop, Pura Vida Surf Shop, Warm Current, Cleanline Surf Shop, Eon Graphics, Bike Newport, Cascade Construction, Savory Café, Coast Home Repair, Dutch Brothers, the Longboard Store, the Skateboard Store, Russo Surfboards, Moment Surf Shop, Safari Town Surf, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Dakine, O’Neil, Rainbow, Rip Curl and Nixon
Event view from above