Youth Score Surf and Stewardship at 10th Annual Otter Rock and Roll Competition
The Surfrider Foundation’s Newport Chapter hosted 45 competitors and over 75 spectators for the 10th annual Otter Rock and Roll Youth Surf Contest and Beach Cleanup Challenge in celebration of International Surfing Day. The event drew competitors from all over Oregon! Observed globally, International Surfing Day celebrates the sport of surfing and helps raise awareness about issues facing our oceans, waves, and beaches.
The 18 and under surf contest and beach cleanup challenge kicked off Saturday morning at Otter Rock/Devil’s Punchbowl State Park, running 20 fifteen-minute heats in divisions from “Best Beginner,” which comes with surfing lessons and all the gear for surfing provided by non-profit Warm Current, to the hot shot 16-18 year-olds.
The weather provided for plenty of sunshine and the sheltered conditions of Otter Rock kept the competition out of the wind with small, but clean swell. The “Parent with Child” division was the most popular with 12 parent/child teams battling it out over 6 heats throughout the day.
The beach cleanup challenge, a popular way for the non-surfer and surfers alike to participate, awarded prizes for smallest piece of marine debris, largest piece of debris, most unexpected piece of debris, and most micro-plastic collected. The challenge teaches stewardship and awareness of marine debris while rewarding and reinforcing cleanup behaviors. “We want the kids to have a good time surfing, and in a fun way also understand that it’s up to us to protect what we all love – our oceans, waves and beaches,” said Vince Pappalardo, Volunteer Coordinator for the Newport chapter.
The Newport Chapter is extremely grateful to our local sponsors who make this fun, family event so special for our community – Russo Surfboards, Murdey Surfboards, Pura Vida Surf Shop, Ocean Pulse, Ossie’s Surf Shop, Warm Current, Eon Graphic Design, Bike Newport, Cascade Coast Solar, Moment Surf Shop, Safari Town Surf, Lincoln City Surf Shop, Cleanline Surf Shop, Windermere West Coast Properties, HyperFlex, Zugh Life Surf Shop, Katin, Catch Surf, Reef, Rainbow Sandals, Dark Seas/Obey, Inn At Otter Crest, Dutch Brothers, Figaro’s Pizza
Contest Results: (1st,2nd,3rd respectively)
Child w/ parent: Sol Schroeder, Matix Wolfe, Lauren Wolfe
12/under Girls: Layla Schroeder, Hailey Feuling, Ava Elizabeth Cherry
12/under Boys: Kalani Abrahon, Bodie Von Allmen, Brody Boehm
13-15 Girls: Sol Linn Remmers, Lauren Cordier, Bailey Flood
13-15 Boys: Kai Huggin, Tyler Quillian, Bodie Von Allmen
16-18 Girl: Kaya Linn Remmers, Savannah Russo, Sarah Cordier
16-18 Boys: Kalani Abrahon, Kai Huggin, Benjamin Clark
Photos
About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 250,000 supporters, activists and members worldwide. For more information on the Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, visit Newport.surfrider.org