Laguna holds its annual Brooks Street Surfing Classic
One hundred surfers participated in the 53rd Brooks Street Surfing Classic Saturday and Sunday in Laguna Beach.
The contest, open to Laguna residents, featured competitors in a variety of age groups and included longboard, bodyboard and paddleboard divisions.
Contestants encountered swells that averaged 4 to 6 feet, with some sets reaching 8 feet, contest Director Brandy Faber wrote in an email.
The contest is scheduled between June and October every year, but the weekend changes depending on the swells. Organizers have occasionally canceled the event due to lack of surf.
“It is less about the height of the surf and more about the consistency and direction of the swells,” said Faber, who monitors the website Surfline.com for the forecast. “We need two full days of swell with enough waves for contestants to get their wave count during both days.”
Tyler Stanaland earned $1,000 for placing first in the pro-am division, according to results provided by Faber.
Three contestants repeated this year as winners in their respective age divisions from 2015: Jeff Booth, senior masters (40 to 49); Michael Chapman, men’s (18 to 23); and Alisa Cairns, women’s (16 and over).
Goff Stepien repeated in the longboard division and also claimed the paddleboard title.
Winners in other divisions included Richard Carlson, grand masters (50 and over); Mike Morrissey, masters (30 to 39); Ryah Arthur, senior men (24 to 29); Jake Levine, junior men’s (14 to 17); Kayla Coscino, girls (15 and under); Hayden Rodgers, boys (13 and under); Chance Gaul, bodyboarding.
Dante Madrigal earned the Cy Chambers Award, given to an entrant who excels in surfing, sportsmanship and academics. Tess Booth earned the Thom Chambers Award, which recognizes an entrant who excels in surfing and the arts.
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
