It’s Just Another Ski Feat for Her

Mary Murphy, an 82-year-old great-grandmother from Los Alamitos, will attempt to make a hydrofoil water-skiing trip from Long Beach to Catalina and back Friday--a feat that sounds amazing until you hear she has already done it twice since turning 80.

Murphy has been an endurance water skier almost since taking up the sport in 1957 when she was 39. Her hour-long sessions on slalom skis were legendary among friends and family. And at 50, she zipped from Long Beach to Catalina on a 1 1/2-hour water-ski run before breakfast.

Over the years, Murphy had slowed down her pace, but seven years ago, her son, Mike Murphy, introduced her to hydrofoiling, a sit-down version of water skiing.

In 1997, Mary Murphy celebrated her 79th birthday by riding to Catalina by hydrofoil. The next two years, she made it a round trip.

“I just love to ski,” Murphy said. “To me it’s just so relaxing. I can just go forever. The kids say, ‘Are you tired yet, Mom?’ I say no. ‘Well,’ they say, ‘ski till you get tired.’ ”

“I haven’t gotten tired yet.”

Friday morning in conjunction with the International Sail & Power Boat Show in Long Beach, Murphy will be attempting to establish a hydrofoiling endurance record, covering the 62-mile course in about four hours. If water conditions are smooth, she expects to be skimming along at 25 mph.

“I just think it’s lots of fun,” Murphy said. “I guess its a challenge too. I’m waiting for someone else to come along with me, but I haven’t found anyone yet.”

The boat show, which started Wednesday, continues today through Sunday at the Long Beach Convention Center and Downtown Marina. Details: (888) 262-8463.

SUNNY RISES

Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia clinched his first Assn. of Surfing Professionals world championship Sunday in Brazil.

Garcia wrapped up the World Championship Tour title when his closest pursuers, Australians Luke Egan and Jake Paterson, lost in the fourth round at the Rio Marathon Surf International at Barra beach in Rio de Janeiro. Garcia’s points lead is now insurmountable going into the final event in December at Pipeline.

Garcia, 30, lost in the semifinal to Taj Burrow of Australia. Kalani Robb of Hawaii beat Burrow in the final to win his first WCT event.

Garcia, who has won $135,550 in 2000, opened the year by winning the first two events and has surfed consistently all season, reaching at least the quarterfinals in eight of the 12 events.

“It’s been 15 years on tour,” he said in an ASP release, “and after I lost the title in ‘95, I didn’t think I would have another shot. To hold on and keep trying has been really hard, and I’ve just been very fortunate to have the success I’ve had this year.”

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RECREATION CALENDAR

BICYCLING

Saturdays

* Orange Coast Velo cycling club meets at Worthy Park located at 17th and Main Street in Huntington Beach. Rides vary from 25 to 50+ miles and begin at 7:30 a.m. with periodic regrouping and rest stops. After-ride socializing at Noah’s Bagels on Main Street. For further information call Jerry, (714) 960-4214 or Peter (714) 848-7618.

* Orange County Wheelmen training, 8 a.m., Food Park, MacArthur and Main, Irvine. Beginner and intermediate training group will ride and stay as a group. Informal lectures will cover stretching, nutrition and hill climbing. Led by Fred and Peg Bauer, (714) 997-0892.

* Bicycle Club of Irvine rides, 9 a.m., meet at Deerfield Park, Irvine. Three routes, 10-15, 15-25 and 25-35 miles, each with a stop midway for breakfast. Rides finish at about 11:30 a.m. Ride leaders Scott and Sandy Angle, (714) 960-4068.

* Velo Allegro Cycling Club meets at 8 a.m. at Long Beach Marina off Second Street for 24-mile ride at 14-18 mph pace. Those with paceline experience meet at 7:30 a.m. for warmup and speed training of up to 50 miles. Details: Julio, (562) 988-8117.

RUNNING

Saturday

* Balboa 5K Run for the Arts. Course on the Balboa Peninsula. Details: (949) 673-0895.

Sunday

* Heart & Sole 5k, 10k at the Irvine Spectrum Center. Benefits American Heart Assn. Details: (949) 856-3555.

Nov. 5

* Dinosaur Dash 5 and 10K starts at the Market Place in Tustin. Proceeds benefit Tustin public schools. Details: (714) 832-6299.

Nov. 11

* Seal Beach Naval Weapons 5 and 10K is run at the naval weapons station. Proceeds benefit California Paralyzed Veterans. Details: (714) 841-5417.

Nov. 12

* Long Beach Marathon starts at Shoreline in Long Beach. Race also offers half marathon, inline skating marathon and half marathon and a bicycle tour. Details: (562) 590-8686.

Nov. 23

* Dana Point Turkey Trot expects 9,000 participants in the 5 and 10K races. Details: (949) 496-1555.

WILDERNESS TRAVEL

Jan. 9

* The Sierra Club will be offering a 10-week Wilderness Travel Course beginning in January. The class features 10 lectures plus four outings, culminating with a snow camp in the High Sierra. Some of the subjects covered are conditioning, navigation, rock-scrambling and winter backpacking. Space is limited. Details: (949) 496-6530 or https://angeleschapter.org/wtc