The Seal Beach Surfing Championships organizers could announce any day that the contests are on for the coming weekend or another.
It depends on whether or not good surf is forecasted. And although the waiting period for the competitions began last week, and there was a large winter swell, organizers of the event decided to hold off for a future date.
According to the Seal Beach Lifeguard Association, which promotes the event, they wanted to allow for potential competitor surfers to attend the massive memorial paddleout in Huntington Beach for Sean Collins of Surfline fame, who died in December following a heart attack.
Collins’ wave forecasting business has played an integral part in predicting the good surf conditions necessary for the championships.
The Seal Beach Lifeguard Association has held the contest for the past 14 years and has donated proceeds to local charities, including McGaugh Elementary School’s Project SEEK.
This year, the lifeguards earmarked $5,000 of the proceeds to donate to the Seal Beach Victims Fund to support those affected by the shooting of nine people, eight of them fatally, on Oct. 12 at Salon Meritage in Seal Beach.
To allow for the best surfing conditions, the waiting period for the championships runs through Feb. 25.
The 2012 Seal Beach Surfing Championships divisions will consist of the following categories:
Men’s Open Shortboard, Men’s Open Longboard, Master’s Shortboard, Master’s Longboard, Seniors Open, Women Open, Juniors.
The event’s organizers have added a new “Best Trick Contest” category presented by Body Glove. It will consist of a 30-minute heat on a first come, first serve sign up basis. The first 15-30 surfers to sign up will be able to compete.
To be eligible for the special event, entrants must be a paid contestant.
Competitors will have 30 minutes to perform the best trick and win a new Body Glove wetsuit and booties.
Entry forms are still available through the following sponsors: Katin Surf Shop, Foam E-Z, Harbour Surfboards, Hennessey’s, Yucatan Grill, Bruce Jones Surf Shop, or Seal Beach Lifeguard Headquarters (888 Ocean Ave.). All entry forms must be dropped off at Seal Beach Lifeguard Headquarters. The $40 entry fee includes t-shirt, the awards dinner catered by Yucatan Grill.
