The second annual NorCal Women’s Surf Fest opened
with a huge sigh of relief. With wave heights predicted
to be in the anemic 1’ to 1’ range, and fog
predicted for the day, we were fired up to arrive at Linda
Mar beach and find waist-high waves with shoulder-high sets.
There was also, by the grace of the surf gods, a small opening
in the fog above, through which sunshine poured down all
over the town of Pacifica.
Although we were excited about the weather, we were a
little less psyched for our 5am set up call. Clenching
coffee and rubbing eyes, the volunteer
crew set out under the expert guidance of club leaders
Sue Fish and Stef Phillips to build a colony of more than
ten tents spreading out on either side of a multi-level
judge's platform and DJ booth.
While Stef & Fish managed the final details of set
up, the first heats of the contest got under way at 7:30am,
with the judges temporarily seated on the beach (including
famed pro longboarder and guest judge/event emcee, Julie
Cox). This was the Wahine women's longboard heat -
kicking off one of the most tightly-contested divisions
of the day. Cathy Meyerhoffer of Santa Cruz ended
up walking away the big trophy in this division….and
later, with a gorgeous Stickgirl
longboard donated by Vic
Otten.
As the heats rolled on, pro DJ and club mainstay Stef
got the vibe going until DJ Silvia, fresh from her first
surf lesson, made the scene and kept things swinging all
afternoon.
Meanwhile, over 350 people accumulated on the beach to
watch, learn and compete. We kept them busy with surf
lessons from our partner, Girls
Adventure Out, massage and yoga from Downward
Dog and free chiropractic adjustments from Surf
for Life Chiropractic of Santa Cruz
Every hour, the crowd was treated to a raffle for gear
from our generous sponsors. We saved the four surfboards
(from Mystic,
SF
Surf Shop, StickGirl
and Hydro
Epic) until the very end and raffled them off to elated
winners at our awards dinner. That’s where go-crazy-girl
Heather Frantz went absolutely nuts and literally did
a dance when she won the custom board from Mystic shaper
John Moore.
Our awards dinner was festive and perfumed (with winners’
leis straight from Molokai).
It also kicked off pretty late (which we’ll fix
next year, especially for our Santa Cruz friends) and
included a fabulous slide show from several talented pro
photographers.
Aloha, until next year,
The NCWSC Surf Fest team 2004
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A good crowd & a beautiful day at Linda Mar
Pro longboarder and Surf Fest judge Julie Cox
Wahine women's shortboard contestant
Strong surfing from the drag set
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