Booth Takes Home a Record Prize at Salt Creek Surfing Competition

The waves were small for the final of the $55,000 Body Glove Surf Bout Sunday, but the prize money was big enough to overshadow a gray, chilly day at Salt Creek Beach Park in Laguna Niguel for winner Jeff Booth.

Booth, of Laguna Beach, made the most of his rides on the 2- to 3-foot waves, winning the $20,000 first-place purse, the largest paid in professional surfing, according to contest organizers.

In addition, Booth picked up an extra $1,500 for winning his heats leading up to the final.

Booth defeated Chris Billy of San Juan Capistrano, who was second and earned $6,000. Dino Andino of San Clemente won the $3,000 third-place prize, and Randy Wright of Venice Beach won $2,000 for fourth place.

Billy said it best as he left the water at the end of the four-man, 40-minute championship heat: “Jeff Booth got all the waves.”

Indeed, Booth took off on the first wave of the heat and bunched three of his best rides in a five-minute spurt early. And the other surfers were left to try to catch up with Booth after his fast start.

“Those were the three best waves (of the heat). Bam, bam, bam,” Booth said. “The first ride sets the tempo. With about 15 minutes left in the heat, I knew I was in solid shape.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry or what. I’ve never had $20,000 before in my life.”

It was Booth’s second win on the Professional Surfing Assn. of America tour this season. In April, Booth won the South Coast Surf Classic, which also was held at Salt Creek.

Booth’s victory moved him into second place in the PSAA rankings behind Mike Lambresi of Carlsbad.

The top two seeded surfers, Lambresi and Jim Hogan of San Clemente, had failed to qualify for the quarterfinals after Saturday’s performances. And that left an opening for Booth.

The flat conditions made it difficult for the surfers, Booth said.

“We were all talking to each other (in the water), saying we wished the waves were better,” Booth said. “I had the money in the back of my mind, but you try to forget about it.

“I’m just really stoked. I want to buy a house some day. That’s my goal. I may buy a new car, though.”