“This year marks the 6th annual Pacific Wave Spring Fling presented by Hurley and the action again went down at Steamer Lane in beautiful Santa Cruz,” said Bubb Rader. Rader is a promoter, sponsor and co-host of the Spring Fling Surfing Contest. “With a small but contestable south swell on tap the competitors slashed, ripped, carved and sometimes took to the air each heat hoping to prove to the judges that they should be crowned champ, ”said Rader.
Spring Fling has grown to become the premiere community short board event with divisions for all ages and genders. There are Groms, Women, Juniors and Pros and victory brings year-long bragging rights as well as hefty prizes. Rader says, “Groms” means you are a young surfer and that you are good at it, don’t feel bad: it is a complement,” Rader said.
Being crowned champ is no easy feat. The four man heats are only 15 minutes, and the margin between advancing in the top two spots and going home as the bottom third or fourth spot can be as close as half a point. A slip, a wobble or bad wave selection can prove disastrous. Santa Cruz is known throughout the world as a hotbed for surfing.
There are two Santa Cruz surfers on the world tour. They are: Nat Young ranked fifth in the world and Shawn Dollar. Shawn Dollar just set a world record for paddling into a 61 foot high wave at Cortes Bank, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean just off the southern California coast. Guinness Book of World Records just accepted this record this week for paddling into the biggest wave ever ridden.
These world-class guys and girls are competing in the Spring Fling each year always held in Santa Cruz. This year saw defending champ Randy Bonds reclaim his title, and it also saw a breakthrough performance from young Willie Eagleton, who took second place.
“With another year down and the seventh year already lined up, the Spring Fling has the community buzzing and the surfers frothing to compete,” Rader said. Boards are being tuned, new maneuvers are being attempted and stoke is shooting through the roof. The Spring Fling is king in Santa Cruz.
Rader, wants you to know that surf lessons are recommended and that Santa Cruz offers excellent instruction so begin your new sport now. Rader wants you to know that young and old can enter this wet arena and that the different beaches offer surfing enjoyment for different skill levels. Lessons are available at various locations.
The Spring Fling Surf Contest was held Saturday April 27 Here are the results from this year’s sixth Annual Spring Fling Surf Contest held at world famous Steamer’s Lane, which is on the west side of Cliff Drive, nearest the light house tower.
The event results are:
Pro/Am
• Randy “The Kid” Bonds – $3,000
• Willie Eagelton – $1500
Junior Open
• Kadin Panesi
• Nick Hdez
• Ben Coffey
• Cody Burks
• Richie Schmidt
• Deva Kane
Grom Open
• Kory Svardal
• Sam Coffey
• Zac Proctor
• Wyatt Walter
• Zealand Hunter
• Solome Bassome
Women’s Open
• Autumn Hays
• Ashley Held
• Alani Helm
• Eden Edwards
