Surf Classic Creates Community Amid the Swells

By Charlie Warner, Special to the Independent

A jovial, relaxed mood oozed from the sand as the 53rd Brooks Street Surf Classic got underway last weekend. Locals gathered to watch hometown surfers carve up the incoming sets whipped up by Tropical Storm Roslyn off the coast of Baja California.

The heat forced many to share their shade, leading to impromptu conversations on the goings on about town. A true sense of community could be felt amid the rock-filled shoreline. The line between competitor and spectator often blurred, as athletes emerged from the water to stay and cheer on the next round of contestants.

“It brings the community together and gets people interested,” said Zack Lebon, who works at Laguna Surf and Sport, which has strong ties to the Brooks contest.

Big winners included Tyler Stanaland, winning in the pro/am; Hayden Rodgers, winning the boys 13 and under category; and Kayla Coscino, winning in the girls 15 and under.

Special awards were given out as well, including the Cy Chambers and Thom Chambers awards, given to Dante Madrigal and Tess Booth, respectively.

The Classic is unusual for several reasons. It isn’t held on a specific date each year, but is held dependent on optimal surf conditions. Some years have passed without the contest at all because of the lack of great surf. The Classic started in 1955 and since then has grown tremendously. However, the competition has not lost its local charm. Friends and neighbors gathered on the shore to cheer on all participants, from groms to the grandads, weekend warriors to sponsored professionals. Even as the event has grown in popularity, Laguna Beach residency is still required of all competitors.

 

“The Brooks is deeply connected to the community,” said the contest’s volunteer director, Brandy Faber. Everything from the artists who design the t-shirts to the handmade trophies awarded, “everything that is part of the event has to be locally based,” he said.

Even as the two-day contest ends, the Laguna Beach surf community awaits the next good swell and the possibility of claiming winning bragging rights in the next Brooks Street Classic to come along.

(Complete results available online.)

 

Results courtesy of Brandy Faber

 

Special Awards:

 

Cy Chambers Award – Dante Madrigal

 

Thom Chambers Award – Tess Booth

 

Pro/Am

 

1. Tyler Stanaland           $1000
2. Nate Zoller $750
3. Ryah Arthur $500
4. Eli Viszolay $250

 

Grand Masters (50 & Over)

 

1. Richard Carlson
2. Darren Madrigal
3. Chad Gibbs
4. Nick Hernandez

 

Sr. Masters (40-49)

 

1. Jeff Booth
2. Tristram Miller
3. Sean Brown
4. James Pribram

 

Masters (30-39)

 

1. Mike Morrissey
2. William Maniaci
3. Andrew Marriner
4. Patrick Ryan

 

Sr. Men (24-29)

 

1. Ryah Arthur
2. Tyler Stanaland
3. Eli Viszolay
4. Nate Zoller

 

Mens (18-23)

 

1. Michael Chapman
2. Chance Gual
3. Rex Strombotne
4. Danny Weiland
5. Adam Mejia
6. Hunter Smith

 

Jr. Mens (14-17)

 

1. Jake Levine
2. Kiko Nelsen
3. Travis Booth
4. Noah North

 

Boys (13 & Under)

 

1. Hayden Rodgers
2. Christian Schenk
3. Lucas Jablon
4. Hudson Saunders

 

Women (16 & over)

 

1. Alisa Cairns
2. Grace Wellsfry
3. Paige Vitolo
4. Morea Arthur

 

Girls (15 & Under)

 

1. Kayla Coscino
2. Tess Booth
3. Claire Kelly
4. Destiny Thompson
5. Eli Arthur
6. Scout Mitchell

 

 

Longboard

 

1. Geoff Stepien
2. Paul Cernich
3. Isaac Zoller
4. Dan Stafford

Bodyboard

 

1. Chance Gual
2. Michael Chapman
3. Hunter Johnson
4. German Ruiz

 

Paddleboards

 

1. Goff Stepien
2. Isaac Zoller
3. Pete Basich
4. Alex Carter