Storm Upends Pageant, Surf Contest

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A rare scene on Main Beach in mid-summer, barren of visitors Saturday, July 18, closed by lifeguards due to storm-generated lightning. Sun and temperatures in the low 80s are forecast this weekend. Photo by Mitch Ridder.
A rare scene on Main Beach in mid-summer, barren of visitors Saturday, July 18, closed by lifeguards due to storm-generated lightning. Sun and temperatures in the low 80s are forecast this weekend. Photo by Mitch Ridder.

Tropical moisture from Hurricane Delores that drenched Laguna Beach last weekend rained out the Sunday production of the Pageant of the Masters, only the third cancellation since 1933.

Storm-generated surf also built up anticipation that the 52nd annual Brooks Street Surfing Classic would be held over the weekend, but contest director Brandy Faber postponed the locals-only contest midday Saturday, July 18.

City rain gauges at Main Beach and Top of the World estimated the storm dropped between .49 and .66, respectively, a historically unusual total for July. Peter Ott, who keeps a rain gauge in Laguna Canyon, put the storm total at .80.

Patrons turned away from the Sunday night production were offered complimentary tickets in the back section throughout the remaining run of the show, but like the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theater, the Festival does not offer refunds for any reason, including cancellation due to inclement weather, said spokeswoman Sharbie Higuchi.

While one exhibitor says she saw tickets holders prepared to watch the show in the rain, the pageant director made the decision to cancel the show just a few minutes before the 8:30 show time. She cited safety concerns for patrons and volunteers who serve as the production’s cast, Higuchi said.

Artwork requires some extra protection at the Festival of Arts last weekend.Photo by Jessica DeStefano.
Artwork requires some extra protection at the Festival of Arts last weekend. Photo by Jessica DeStefano.

Last August, Hurricane Lowell pushed southern swells into Laguna late in the week, setting up near perfect conditions for 200 entrants to participate in the two-day Brooks surf contest.

But Delores’ late arrival and predicted lightning – which led lifeguards to close beaches for several hours Saturday as a precaution – “would have made completion of the entire event this weekend improbable from a time standpoint,” said Faber, who took over as lead organizer in 2010.

The drenching apparently was not enough to overwhelm the city’s storm drains. City Public Works Director Steve May says staff was on hand to check drains and respond if needed, but no incidents came up.

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