By Alisa Cairns and Scott Finn, Special to the Independent
Participating in the Scholastic Surf Series, the Laguna Beach High School surf team competed against five other high schools Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Oceanside Pier. All six of the LBHS boys surfing in the short board category made it to the six-man final, assuring a clean sweep for the team.
Cameron DePfyffer won both the short and long board contests. Blair Conklin took fourth in the short board and managed to win in body board. The rest of the short-board finalists were Cameron Zuziak in second; Tobie Grierson, third; Willy Hogan, fifth; and freshman Zach Levine, sixth.
The challenging conditions included a strong current, very cold water and air, and waves with power “close outs,” forcing everyone to work hard just to get in position and find the right waves.
The day did not start out so well for Eric Siegrist, who broke a board while practicing before the start of his long board event. Siegrist yet was able to finish second.
The girls had a tougher time, though their effort was stalwart.
Coco Putnam, fresh off a shoulder injury, took fourth in the long board category. Meanwhile, Kira Hamilton, who was feeling under the weather, went out to help the team anyway.
The Thurston team competed in the middle school competition and took third overall.
The next Scholastic Surf Series event is Saturday, Feb. 2 at San Clemente Pier.
Alisa Cairns and Scott Finn are coaches for the LBHS surf team.
