WEEKENDER : Surfers In Spotlight at Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is a surfer’s paradise this weekend.

Top surfers will compete in the Hukilike Longboard Classic on Saturday and Sunday at 45th Street. This event, as compared to bodyboard surfing, uses the more traditional long surfboards of past decades.

Top surfers competing include Ernie Tanaka of Hawaii and Paul Strauch of New York. The event will benefit the Manhattan Beach Intermediate School Anti-Drug Education Program, the South Bay Christian Surf Alliance and the Ho’olaule’a Hawaiian Dance School.

The top competitors will be honored at the Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon Sunday evening. Information: (213) 546-1920.

Surfing history--Aficionados of the sport can view virtually the entire history of long-board surfing off the South Bay coast in a free photo exhibit, “Surfing the South Bay.”

The display is open daily through Aug. 26 in the center court of Manhattan Village Shopping Mall, 3200 Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach.

The photography of former long-board surfer and Hermosa Beach resident Leroy Grannis is featured. The display is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The mall will also play host to top professional volleyball player Karch Kiraly on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Kiraly, a two-time member (1984 and ‘88) of the gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team, will talk about his sport and sign autographs.

Information: (213) 546-5556.

Get a rating--Men wanting to enter professional and amateur volleyball tournaments can attempt to earn recognition in the sport at the Unrated Beach Tournament on Saturday and Sunday on the beach where Rosecrans ends.

Players already having a rating on the tour will not be eligible to compete. Information: (213) 337-0601.

Gotta run--Experienced and first-time distance runners can compete in the Run By the Sea on Saturday at 8 a.m. at Long Point in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Ten-kilometer runs for men and women in various age groups will be held as well as a 1-K run for children. Awards will go to the top three finishers in each division of the 10-K run. Participants in the 1-K run will receive an award. Entry fee is $15 for the 10-K, $11 for the 1-K.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Reach program for developmentally disabled residents of the South Bay. Information: (213) 541-4566.