Surf Contests Could Go to the Highest Bidder

The envelopes please.

On Jan. 2, the state Department of Parks and Recreation will accept bids for three surfing contests to be held at Lower Trestles in 1997. Under a new policy, the number and length of contests at the popular surf spot have been scaled back from five totaling 21 days in 1996 to three--one professional, one pro-am and one amateur--that will take over the beach for 15 days in 1997.

In 1996, promoters paid the state $1,100 a day. Next year, they will pay a minimum of $1,500 a day for the amateur event, $2,000 for the pro-am and $3,000 for the pro. If there is more than one bidder in any category, the issue will be resolved by a sealed bid delivered on Jan. 2. A Parks and Recreation official said 10 groups have expressed interest in promoting contests at Trestles.

The Assn. of Professional Surfers is planning to change its annual World Championship Tour stop at Huntington Beach Pier in August to a May event at Trestles, and tour officials are confident they will get the slot. Ian Cairns, executive director of U.S. Surfing and organizer of a Bud Surf Tour contest at Trestles, may be faced with competition in the pro-am category, but he also is optimistic of staging the annual September pro-am event again in 1997.

The money generated by contests helps pay for the free 100-car parking lot at the end of El Camino Real in San Clemente.