All hail the king and queen

Skudin Surf and L.B. Rec hold annual youth surfing contest

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Local kids got their turn to show off their skills last Sunday at the annual King and Queen of the Beach surf contest.

The Long Beach Recreation Department and Skudin Surf organized the event. Skudin Surf co-owner Cliff Skudin said that it’s a unique competition for Long Beach because it brings out the whole surf community, and kids in town who surf get to hang out together and compete. Though the King and Queen of the Beach competition has been going on for over 15 years, it has taken on a new meaning in the last few years. The contest now honors the memory of the late Danny Bobis, a well-known leader in the surfing community and a Long Beach High School math teacher who fought for three years to establish the school’s surfing team.

Small waves didn’t stop over 120 competitors from giving it their all. At the end of the day, Ethan Jackson was named King of the Beach, and Dakota Ejnes was named Queen of the Beach. The city and Skudin Surf thanked the event’s sponsors, Unsound Surf, McAvoy Plumbing, Palazzo Construction, The Long Beach Surfer’s Association, Brands Deli, The Beach House and Beachside Services NY.