Surf Pedro Point in Pacifica, California

PPSC Contest and Event Schedule

Nov.21-22 NorCal Uncle Dick’s Surf Fest
For entry forms: Call Nor Cal Surf Shop, (650) 738-WAVE
Sunday, Novermber 15th - Interclub, Linda Mar 8 AM
Thursday, November 19th - Monthly PPSC Business Meeting and Pizza Feed, Straw Hat Pizza, Manor (Pacifica) 7PM
Saturday, December 5th - Holiday Party, Moose Lodge (Pacifica) 5PM Cocktails, 6 PM
Dinner - Music, Dancing, Raffle stuff - Call Greg Cochran to reserve a seat @ 415 608-7599
No Business Meeting in December
Thursday - Monday, Martin Luther King Weekend (January) - Surfari to Santa Barbara
Saturday - Sunday, President's Weekend (February) - The Big Bad and Ugly Surf and Turf Contest - Morro Bay
March - Arden Taylor Surf Festival - "C" Street - Ventura
April - Log Jam Old Surfboard Classic - Big Stick Surfing Association - Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz
May - SCLU Memorial Weekend Surf Classic, Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz

1st Annual Marine Mammal Surf Festival is a Hit

Joe Grachowski - photo Don Montgomery

Surfers for Cetaceans (S4C) is a voice for the international community of surfers, all of whom, without exception, are the friend of whales and dolphins and who, in a shared love of the ocean, see cetaceans as family - as next of kin.
S4C therefore is opposed to killing or mistreatment of whales and dolphins and calls on all those involved in such to turn away from creating such unnecessary suffering and instead to cherish and celebrate Whale Nation by protecting cetaceans, their home seas and their migrations.
Leonelli approached Shawn Rhodes, Mavericks Big Wave Surfer and Co owner of NorCal Surf shop with the idea of holding an event. Rhodes his partner Greg Savin and the Norcal crew already successfully host one of the North Coast biggest and longest running surf events, The Uncle Dicks Surf Fest every November. Shawn and Savin agreed with Leoneli and committed the NorCal Crew and all of its resources including master event coordinator and shop Manager Jeremiah Johnson. Together with the generous help from a lot of supporting sponsors Johnson and his crew put together a great event and managed to raise some much needed funds to further the cause.
“The support from the local community both surfers and non-surfers alike was amazing”, said Johnson. “A lot of great sponsors donated some amazing product that helped raise a lot of money.”
With a successful 1st event under their belts, contest organizers committed to making this an annual event.
“With the success of our first event we hope to land a major sponsor next year that can help us grow this event year after year,” said Johnson.
At the awards ceremony and after party held at NorCal Surf shop, Shawn Rhodes thanked all involved and pointed out that mid-day during the event two grey whales were spotted just outside Pedro Point. “See they’re watching”, said Rhodes.
Next Event Scheduled -November 22nd - which will have a day component -paddle out with whale/dolphins prayer/vows by Dave Rastovich - and an evening component - reception/silent & live auction, along with the movie premiere for "MINDS IN THE WATER," movie by Dave Rastovich, Justin Krumb (movie producer) and Steve Bartilotti (editor Surfer Magazine), which will be attended by many celebs. artists, musicians & Rasta himself. - "LIQUID NATION" style.

Big, Bad and Ugly, Morro Bay contest

Beth ORourke showing us how it's done. Congrats on yet another finals berth.
Click on this link for photos of all PPSC contestants
Click on this link for more contest photos by Mike Baird

Big Chill Out '07 Article and Results

Izzy Szczepaniak, contest coordinator, negotiates the rough conditions with a hard bottom turn. After breaking his board, having to boogie board in, borrow a board and paddle back out he still managed a 2nd place finish in his heat.
Photo credit: Skip Hoard, S&H Photography

Local surfer, Todd Johnson, makes the most of the extreme conditions with this super floater.
Photo credit: Jim Crotty

Article by Rick Loeper
Saturday, October 20 brought the 17th annual Big Chill Out Longboard Surf Contest to Linda Mar’s Pacifica State Beach hosted by Pedro Point Surf Club. More than ever the contest lived up to its name as the surf measured double overhead on sets and chilly 25mph winds blew onshore all day. Contestants were hard pressed to make their wave count during heats that coincided with sets. It was a ‘Victory at Sea’ kind of day and all contest surfers deserved a medal just for braving the conditions.
To commemorate 2007 as Pedro Point Surf Club’s 20th Anniversary, local surfing icon, Dick Keating was featured on the contest posters and awards and honored at the awards dinner.
Longboard surf clubs from up and down the California coast and surfers from as far away as Florida came to compete.
The Chill Out is PPSC’s major fund-raising event of the year that allows ongoing donations to ocean related non-profits including Ride-A-Wave, Surfrider Foundation and Pacifica Beach Coalition. This year there were more than 40 sponsors to help make the contest a resounding success and allow a steady flow of raffle prizes throughout the day and into the evening at the awards dinner.
The Wander-Ins, a popular local surf band, played during a tasty chicken and BBQ beef dinner at the Pedro Point Firehouse. After the awards presentations there was the finale everyone was waiting for the raffling off of the surfboards. This year NorCal, Kalu Caletta, Bob Miller, Harbour and Heritage provided them.
More than just a contest, this event brings out the best in community spirit as volunteers team together from well before dawn throughout the day and evening to make the Chill Out a fun family day for Pacifica and their efforts are deeply appreciated.

Final contest results were as follows. Novice: 1-Roland Nazar,
2-Cody Angeles,
3-Scotty Sweet,
4-Joel Schwartz,
5-Kate Chaloemtiarana.
Jr Mens:
1-Ryland King,
2-Casey Smith,
3-Anthony Murillo,
4-Nick Smith,
5-Lenny Richards,
6-Kadin Panesi.
Jr Womens:
1-Brittany McMartin,
2-Meaghan Alexander,
3-Celina McWherter,
4-Michelle Blight,
5-Brianne Sampson, 
6-Camille Keating.

Mens:
1-Jordan McWherter,
2-Todd Johnson,
3-Zack Ehrlich,
4-Ryan Devine,
5-David Godsoe,
6-Casey Mulderig.

Womens:
1-Asi Ghiassi,
2-Krista Howell,
3-Beth O'Rourke,
4-Lisa Ryner,
5-Joan Newby,
6-Robyn King.

Sr Mens:
1-Tait Cowan,
2-Jessie Adams,
3-Joe Grochowski,
4-Thwen Chaloemtiarana,
5-Barry Green,
6-Shawn Rhodes.

Masters:
1-Steve Baker,
2-Robert Belli,
3-Steve Dwyer,
4-Heart Heartlife,
5-Hide Minami,
6-Lou Meija.
Grand Masters:
1-Todd Smith,
2-Ralph Hedrick,
3-Norm Payne,
4-Eric Weintraub,
5-Tim Cissna,
6-Steve St. Clair.
Super Masters:
1-Joel Baldwin,
2-John Chiles,
3 Chuck Blade,
4-Rick Loeper,
5-Bill Newlin,
6-Dusty Rhodes.
Legends:
1 Greg Cochran
2 Butch Cloyear
3 Gary Silberstein
4 Glenn Stenstrom
5 Lance Maki.

Teams:
1-Pedro Point Surf Club,
2-Nor Cal Surf Shop,
3-Log Shop Surf Shop,
4-Big Stick Surfing Association,
5-Cold Water Surf Club,
6-Red Triangle Surf Team,
7-Ventura Surf Club,
8-Sonoma State Surf Club.

Log Shop Contest a “Summer Classic”

On Saturday, July 28, the Log Shop held their 5th Annual Summer Classic surf contest. There were 6 divisions in which individual surfers competed: Toddlers (below 20), Boys (20-34), Has-Beens (35-49), Geezers (50+), Chicks, 70’s Grab Bag. PPSC was represented by surfers in every division.
Robbie Barnhill surfing in the Toddlers division took first. Pat Faughender and Chris Duran made it to the Boys final, with Pat finishing 4th and Chris 5th. Stefan Mayo and Thwen Chaloemtiarana surfed in the finals of the Has-Beens Division. Stefan finished 6th and Thwen took first! Izzy Szczepaniak, Joel Baldwin, Bill Newlin, Tim Cissna and former PPSC Vice-President, Danny Estrella surfed in the Geezers final. The contest was very close with the top 4 finishers separated by 4 points. In his first contest in several years Danny took the heat. Bill Newlin placed 2nd, Joel finished third, Izzy took fourth and Tim was 5th. Asi Ghiassi won the Chicks division followed by Amanda Harper (3rd), Krista Howeell (4th), and Beth O’Rourke (5th). Pat Faughender made it to the 70’s Grab Bag finals and finished 2nd.

Geeser Division (50+) Final heat, left to right- Dave Duncan, Danny Estrella, Joel Baldwin, Tim Cissna, Izzy Szczepaniak, Bill Newlin, Bruce Brewington

SC Longboard Union Memorial Weekend Club Invitational

Pedro Point Surf Club surfed their ass off at Steamer Lane at the Memorial Day Weekend Contest. There were 18 teams from Oregon to San Diego and PPSC tied for 5th place with Santa Cruz’s Big Stick Surfing Association. Team members who made it into the finals were Asi Ghiassi, Beth O’Rourke, Todd Smith, Mike Gerhardt, Greg Cochran and Joel Baldwin. Other team members included John Chiles, Karen Cochran, Hunter Chiles, Bill Patchett, Sean Hallinan, Sarah Gerhardt, Michelle Blight, Darshan Gooch, Thwen “Tuna” Chaloemtiarana, Anthony Murrillo, Matt Hertzberg and Kyle Jackson.
Everyone surfed great and we enjoyed head to head and-a-half waves. When the Lane is going off, there is no better wave on the planet. Thanks to all who made this year’s SCLU Contest our best showing in 21 years!
Greg Cochran, President, PPSC
See more contest pics by Boots McGee at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8322869@N04/

PPSC team members Karen Cochran and Todd Smith

1st Intraclub of '07 has good turnout & waves

On Sunday, February 4, 2007, 34 members and friends showed up for the first Intraclub of 2007. Twenty-nine individuals surfed and 5 others earned points by helping with the judging, spotting, photography and set-up.
The waves were clean with long walls in both directions. We utilized the peak in front of Taco Bell and the next peak north even with the middle of the parking lot. It was very crowded but we managed to complete the contest. It was sunny and mild. The water was in the mid-50’s.
In the first heat Jim Vreeland beat out (in order) Thwen, Alp, Kyle, Beth and newcomer Scottie Sweet. In a hotly contested second heat Shawn King edged out Matt Hertzberg. Finishing 3rd to 6th were Chris Duran, Robert Barnhill, Tim Cissna and Karen Cochran.
In the third heat Stephanie Phillips was in the right spot at the right time, getting all her waves and running away with the heat. Hugh Gurin, Bob Livingston, Izzy Szczepaniak, Krista Howell and Glenn Stenstrom finished behind Steph.
Jim Holt and Michelle Blight put on a show tearing up the lefts, with Jim squeaking out the win. Behind them, in order, were Jordan Wright, Robyn King, Mike Brown and Rick Loeper.
In the last heat of the first round Mitch Breaus was the winner. Leo Bersamina finished second with Asi Ghiassi, Lisa Ryner and Lena Warren finishing 3rd through 5th.
In the second round the heat you surf in is determined by your finish in the first round. All the first place finishers surf together, the second place finishers surf together, etc.
In Heat 6, the first heat of the second round Beth O’Rourke blew away everyone in the heat riding the lefts liked she owned them. Izzy took first in Heat 7 with Robyn King a close second. Robert Barnhill battled with Asi in Heat 8 with Asi winning the heat with a great last wave. The youngsters put on a show in heat 9, but at the end Chris Duran beat Matt Hertzberg.
The final heat of the day pitted all the first place winners from the first round. Wave after wave the contestants shredded. In the closest finish that I can remember the first 4 spots were separated by 5 points. Mitch Breaus won by one point over Jim Vreeland, who finished one point ahead of Jimmy Holt. Shawn King finished 2 points behind Jimmy. Fining 5th in the heat was Stephanie Phillips.
Surfers earn points in each round based on where they finish. Non-contestants who assist with the contest also get points. Intraclub points are earned throughout the year and awards are given out at the year-end party to the top finishers in the Mens, Jr. Mens, Womens and Jr. Womens division. The next contest is on March 4 th at 08:00. The Contest site will be determined that morning. Meet in the parking lot and get ready to have lots of fun.

Big Chill Out XVI Results

Junior Mens
1.  Woody Robinson
2.  Pat Faughender
3.  Lenny Richards
4.  Ben Chambers
5.  Chris Duran
6.  Nick McWhurter
 
Mens
1.  Taiten Cowan
2.  Barney Sullivan
3.  Thomas Bishoff
4.  Todd Johnson
5.  Ryan Devine
6.  Brian McDevitt
 
Senior Mens
1.  Jim Tjogas
2.  Hart Heartlife
3.  Danny Cortazzo
4.  Shawn Rhodes
5.  Todd Smith
6.  Kevin Rhodes
 
Masters
1.  Sean Scallan
2.  Steve St. Clair
3.  Gordon Guptil
4.  Joel Baldwin
5.  Jim Kahm
6.  Tim Cissna
 
Grand Masters
1.  Kurt Munchmeyer
2.  Bill Newlin
3.  Tom Trauntvein
4.  Cal Tenney
5.  Butch Colyear
6.  John Chiles
 
Womens
1.  Brianne Sampson
2.  Ashley Lloyd
3.  Dana Petretoni
4.  Celina McWhurter
5.  Camille Keating
6.  Meghan Alexander

Senior Womens
1.  Beth O’Rourke
2.  Asi Ghiassi
3.  Monica Lee
4.  Stephanie Phillips
5.  Amelia Valley
6.  Karen Cochran
 
Team
1.  Pedro Point Surf Club
2.  Nor Cal Surf Shop
3.  Log Shop Surf Shop 
4.  Big Stick Surfing Association
5.  K-Star Surf Shop
/ Red Triangle Surf Team
6.  Northern Coast Surf Club
7.  Santa Cruz Longboard Union
8.  Cold Water Surf Club 
9.  Santa Barbara Surf Club

The Chill Out’s 16th was sweet

The skies were overcast and there was a chill in the air but Mother Ocean offered up 3-4 foot waves the entire day, providing great contest conditions.

More than 125 surfers competed this year representing teams from as far south as Wind & Sea in La Jolla and as far north as Crescent City near the Oregon border, making this the largest longboard contest along the Pacific Coast north of Santa Cruz.

Surfers competed in 8 divisions based on age and sex. In a very competitive Women’s’ division Pacifica’s Brianne Sampson beat out Ashley Lloyd, one of the top women surfers in the world, and other well-known local surfing greats Camille Keating and Celina McWherter, both of whom had won this contest previously, and Meghan Alexander.

The Senior Women’s’ division final was won by local surfer Beth O’Rourke who edged out Asi Ghiassi in the closest of the finals. Finishing behind them were Monica Lee, Stephanie Phillips, Amelia Valley and Karen Cochran.

The Junior Men’s’ final was a competition between 5 local surfers and one surfer from Santa Cruz. Woody Robinson of Santa Cruz took first with Pat Faughender finishing a very close second. Following in order were: Lenny Richards, Ben Chambers, Chris Duran and Nick McWherter.

Jim Tjogas, surfing for the NorCal surf team took top honors in the Senior Men’s’ division. Heart Hartlife, Danny Cortazzo, Shawn Rhodes (NorCal Surf Shop owner), Todd Smith and Kevin Rhodes were the other Senior Men’s’ finalists.

The Masters’ division was won by Sean Scallan. Following Sean, in order, were Steve St. Clair, Gordon Guptil, Joel Baldwin, Jim Kahm and Tim Cissna.

Kurt “the Ant” Munchmeyer was the winner of the Grand Masters’ division. Bill Newlin finished second. Tom Trauntvein, who traveled the furthest to come to the contest and surfing for the Santa Barbara Surf Club finished third. Cal Tenney, Butch Colyear and John Chiles finished fourth through sixth respectively.

The local surf shops held five of the six positions in the Men’s’ final. Log Shop owner Taiten Cowen took first. Barney Sullivan, also surfing for the Log Shop finished second. Big Stick Surfing Association’s Thomas Bishoff placed third. K-Star Surf Shop owner Todd Johnson placed fourth. Local Ryan Devine, surfing for the Log Shop, finished fifth, and NorCal’s Brian McDevitt placed sixth.

In the Novice division Justin Rhodes edged out Justin Gubser for top honors. Finishing third through sixth were Cody Eastman, Roland Nazar, Lena Warren and Myla Stevenson.

The final team standings were: 1st – Pedro Point Surf Club, 2nd.- NorCal Surf Shop, 3rd - Log Shop Surf Shop, 4th - Big Stick Surfing Association (Santa Cruz), 5th - K-Star Surf Shop/Red Triangle Surf Team, 6th - Northern Coast Surf Club, 7th - Santa Cruz Longboard Union, 8th - Cold Water Surf Club (Bolinas), 9th - Santa Barbara Surf Club

20th Annual SCLU Invitational

The team was awesome! The surf was awesome with overhead sets in most heats and head high waves pouring in all day long. The surf was all at the point with very few middle peak waves in the heats. The weather was beautiful, the people were beautiful and the party was great with two bands and plenty of good food. Almost all of PPSC's riders advanced. The team spirit and cheers made it extra special. Our president Greg Cochran was spectacular in the overhead surf and the hoots from the cliffs stoked him and had everyone smiling. Some notables were Anthony and Allen who made the podium. Both were surfing in the novice division and both were in their very first ever contest. The SCLU Invitational is a tough contest as anyone who enters knows. This year the surf was extra demanding and competition was fierce. I'm very proud of PPSC's representation and skill. You done real good ya'll. Congrats to the entire team.

PPSC Team Riders:
Jr. Men - Pat Faughender
Men - Ryan Devine, Steve Thomas, Hunter Chiles
Sr. Men - Thwen Chaloemtiarana, Scott Allen
Masters - Robert Barnhill, Shawn King, Todd Smith
Grand Masters - Dave Zarate, K.C. Earnshaw, Joel Baldwin, Greg Cochran
Sr. Women - Karen Cochran, Asi Ghiasi
Novice - Allen Aliangan, Anthony Murillo