Health & Swellness; California Bodysurfing Championships

The following article about the 34th Annual California Bodysurfing Championships first appeared in The Cabrillo Voice and was written by George Paul Scheppler

To listen to the audio report in episode 029 click HERE

Over 70 competitors from around the world came together for the 34th Annual California Body Surfing Championships at Laguna Creek Beach, hosted by the Santa Cruz Bodysurfing Association, on October 6th. Conditions were perfect with four to seven foot south swell spewing barrels off the point break.  

Located roughly four miles north of Santa Cruz, Laguna Creek Beach is a hidden crescent wash of sand with big western exposures tucked between two rocky points. The region’s topography creates a variety of wave shapes from one end to the other lending personality and character to each face. This remote water wonderland is accessed by parking off of Highway 1, crossing to a well-worn path that leads over the old train tracks, over a slope, and down to the park. 

The Santa Cruz Bodysurfing Association was established by Tom Mader, Julie Davis, and Horst Wolf in 1983 to promote safety and fun in coastal environments. The California Bodysurfing Championships started a year later in 1984 were sponsored by Churchill Fins and hosted at Sunny Cove to further spread the sport and promote safe practices. It was not long before the California Bodysurfing Championships became a magnet for competitors from around the world. 

Bodysurfing is a sport that attracts the kind of rider that likes to feel as much a part of the ocean’s energy as possible, one that loves the sensation of sliding headfirst down the face of a wave that started its journey off the shore of Japan.  

“Be the board.” says John Chamberlin “that’s the feeling you get when you’re the plane, you’re on the wave feeling the water rush around you.”

This elemental bonding enables these “torpedo people” to etch lines along breaks spinning, rolling, and somersaulting with gymnastic grace deftly avoiding the water exploding behind them.

These coastal athletes travel out of pocket without fanfare or publicity. “We are a subculture of surfing,” said John Chamberlin, affiliated member since 1985, “we don’t have large sponsors.” There are no multimillion-dollar contracts with Nike waiting at the other end, no auto manufactures asking to make the California champion the face of the brand. 

They compete purely for bragging rights, a potential wildcard spot in the famous Nazier contest, and the opportunity to spend their free time out amongst nature with others of like minds. Many slept in their cars to cut down on cost, others bunked up at local hotels, and some stayed with friends in the area. The event itself buzzed with positivity and enthusiasm. Everyone was stoked to be stoked for no other reason than to be stoked, a more meta scene you could not find in Surf City USA that day.

Bodysurfing is a niche sport that seems to attract people from all walks of life. At the pre-event meet up at Aloha Island Grill (700 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062) people in fancy Patagonia fleeces chatted with folks in well worn oily t-shirts, Land Rovers parked next to old Toyota pick up trucks, and the newest tech debated against tried and true equipment of old.

Pushed to the margins, these people of the sea strip away the equipment, ego, and obstacles to participating in outdoor water recreation not only for health but for the community. One would be hard pressed to find a more welcoming and supportive group of athletes and fans.  

RESULTS

Julie Davis took home the women’s championship title. Bart Templeton won the junior men’s division. Dave Ford won the masters’ division title and earned a wildcard entry into the World Bodysurfing Championships at Nazier Beach in Portugal. 

For more information about the event please click HERE

All photos appear courtesy of Mike Crane