Yeeha! It’s s a Surf Rodeo contest in Ventura

There must be an easier way to win a blinged-out rhinestone jacket. That’s the prize that will be awarded this weekend in Ventura to the Surf Rodeo champ who rides the waves, runs a hay-bale obstacle course and rides a mechanical bull.

The cowboys-meet-waves competition starts with the surfing at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Surfers draw straws to select the vintage board they’ll ride during the contest. Those who make it to the finals get to compete on the obstacle course and the fake bull.

Contest categories include Lil’ Cowgirls, who are 14 years old and younger, and Outlaws, age 45 and older.

The rodeo also has a Greased Pig Contest in which surfers doused with baby oil grab a board to complete an ocean paddle around a buoy, and a Cornhole Contest in which teams compete both days at noon.

For those who come to watch, there’s also a street fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, a Kids Corral with face-painting and a jumper, and beer gardens and food trucks starting at 11 a.m. each day.

Two stages on the beach will provide live entertainment from performers such as British reggae musician Pato Banton, the Iron Outlaws, Honey Owl and other bands on Saturday, and the Aggrolites, GrooveSession and others on Sunday.

Tickets cost $20 for each day (Saturday and Sunday) at the door; $16 if you buy print-at-home tickets online.

And there’s a cool raffle too: $20 gives you a chance at winning a restored 1965 Volkswagen Beetle. Proceeds from the raffle tickets go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Ventura.

Info: Surf Rodeo