Moku Surf to host surfing competition

The newest surf store in Long Beach is looking to make its mark this weekend when it hosts its first contest, the 1st annual Long Beach Longboard Classic.

Moku Surf, the West End’s only surf shop, at 879 W. Beech St., opened at the end of last summer, so this year was owner Kevin Sime’s first full summer open for business. Sime said that Long Beach residents have taken to his shop, which is geared more toward longboarders, an anomaly in Long Beach. It makes sense that the contest would exhibit the same surf style Sime prefers, he said.

“It’s going to be so different,” Sime said. “There’s a real need for it. There are not too many of these contests any more, they’re pretty rare. All of the contests are shortboard, performance-based. People are really screaming for [a longboard contest].”

The contest will be a traditional, vintage longboard contest, harkening back to the way things were done in the 1960s. Contestants, ranging in age from nine to 65, will all ride single-fin longboards, and the contest will be scored by classic criteria such as nose rides, hanging ten, cheater fives, drop-knee turns, fin-first takeoffs, spinners, length of ride and cross-stepping style, and extra points will be scored for riding vintage “logs,” or longboards, with no leashes. Surfing Hall of Famer Claude Codgen will be among the competition’s judging panel. Sime also said that all of the competitors would be bringing an extra vintage board for display. Sime plans to line them up against the boardwalk so people can get feel what the surf scene was like 50 years ago.

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Long Beach Boulevard beach. Sunday will be the rain date. Music will be playing all day, and Swingbellys will be on hand to make sure the crowds are fed. After the contest, Moku is holding an after party at the Long Beach Hotel, where local band Steel Horse will perform.

Sime said that the competition field is stacked with talent. All of the contest slots are already filled and there is a waiting list. Sime said that word spread so quickly that the contest was sold out even before he had a chance place posters around the city. He even had surfers from as far as Australia wanting to sign up.

There will also be numerous prizes raffled off during the day. More than 70 local and national companies are sponsoring the event. Prizes include gift cards to local businesses, surf gear and a one-week trip to El Salvador. The contest will also raise money for Robert Browne, a Long Beach Middle School student who was paralyzed in a surfing accident over the summer.