Youth score, in surf and stewardship, at Otter Rock 'n Roll competition.
Newport, OR (June 20, 2015) – The Surfrider Foundation’s Newport Chapter, joined by the Siuslaw and Portland Chapters, hosted 45 competitors and over 200 spectators for the 7th annual Otter Rock n’ Roll Youth Surf Contest and Beach Cleanup Challenge in celebration of International Surfing Day.
The 18 and under surf contest and beach cleanup challenge kicked off Saturday morning at Otter Rock/Devil’s Punchbowl State Park, running 22 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. Conditions were favorable for the youngest, with small enough waves to keep them stoked, but not intimidated. While the older kids could have hoped for some larger, steeper waves, they made the most of every opportunity in the water. The “Parent with Child” division was the most popular with 13 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 the biggest, the tiniest, and the longest travelled pieces of debris, among other creative and fun categories. 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 and volunteers who make this fun, family event so special for our community – Figaro’s Pizza, Savory Café, Ocean Pulse, Ossie’s Surf Shop, Pura Vida Surf Shop, Warm Current, Cleanline Surf Shop, Bike Newport, Cascade Construction, Coast Home Repair, Dutch Brothers, Mills Ace Hardware, Fiberglass Supply, Russo Surfboards, Moment Surf Shop, Safari Town Surf, Lincoln City Surf Shop, Gorge Performance Surf Shop, The Discovery Channel, Sunset Skateboards and ZFlex Skateboards.
Contest Results: (1st, 2nd, 3rd respectively)
Child w/ parent: Elijah Pyle, Finley Lacy, Brody Winger
12/under Girls: Marley Snavely, Isabelle Serrato,
12/under Boys: Kainoa Trumbull, Michael Joseph Schell, Trevor Tice
13-15 Girls: Savannah Russo, Maria Barten, Hannah George
13-15 Boys: Payton Alexander Timm, Jonee Wright, Benjamin Clark
16-18 Boys: Jesse Henton, Theo Hollen
Best Beginner: Savannah Arguelles, Conner Wolfe, Tessa Osburn
Thank you to everyone! See you next year!
