Oceanside surf contest raises money for the environment

By: DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | Sunday, September 10, 2006 12:10 AM PDT ∞

OCEANSIDE ---- The beach north of the Oceanside pier was the place to be Saturday for local surfers young and old.

Hundreds of surfers and their fans came out to see the 10th annual Surf for the Sea contest and fundraiser, which honors six local surfing legends who have died in the last decade. The second half of the two-day competition runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

"Everybody around here looks at this as the No. 1 local contest," said Willie Smith, a 28-year-old competing in the pro-am and masters divisions. "All the buddies tell each other that they are going to get taken down in this contest."

Smith said the event is also about celebrating the quality of local surfing, and getting young surfers interested in the sport with free gear from leading manufacturers.

"It's good to get the young kids out here and get them set up with gear so they are excited about surfing," Smith said.

Erik Krammer, co-founder of the event and one of the judges, said the contest is not as serious as some others because its aim is honoring the local surf community and raising money for the coastal environment.

"You don't see the normal guys who do the contests at this event, but you see a group of friends who know how to surf and like competing against each other," Krammer said.

The contest raises a few thousand dollars each year for the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation, which helps protects public access to local beaches, and organizations such as the League for Coastal Protection and Citizens for Parks and Beaches.

"We average between $4,000 and $5,000 every year, so we have given nearly $50,000 to environmental groups," said Krammer, who now travels the world as a judge for the Association of Surfing Professionals.

Krammer said he started the event with some friends to honor Harry Bennett.

"He was an important figure for a lot of the young surfers in the area," said Krammer, 34.

Organizers have expanded the number of former surfers they honor to six in recent years. The other honorees are Steve Leighton, Tore Bonura, Chuck "Clubber" Hundley, Banning Capps and John Craven.

Krammer's mother, Carolyn, said longtime local surfers consider these men to be icons in Oceanside surfing history.

She also credited them with the southern swell that created Saturday's large waves.

"I think the people we are honoring help make sure that Mother Nature brings us great waves each year," she said.

Chance Kellum, 14, said he looks forward to this event every year. He began competing three years ago.

Kialy Barker, 9, said she was nervous and excited about competing for the first time.

"I surf every week, and I started when I was 5," Kialy said.

Chelsea Miller and Breanna Jones, both 14, said there was a big buzz at their high school this week about the event.

"Our friends are all in this contest so we come here and root for them," Chelsea said.

For details, call (760) 439-0863.

Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 761-4410 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.

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