
A La Jolla tradition since 1994, the 2010 Windan’Sea Surfers Reunion Association’s Longboard Surf Meet and Beach Luau returns Saturday, Sept. 11. Surfers of all ages and abilities are invited to register for what event founder Mike Wilson calls “an old school meeting of the surf tribe.” Wilson, who was born and raised in La Jolla and learned to surf at Windansea, moved to the island of Kauai in 2005. The event was not held regularly in his absence, but he has rejuvenated efforts this year. “It’s a really fun time and there’s so much great history involved,” Wilson said. This year’s event will honor Woody Ekstrom, one of the original La Jolla pioneer surfers. Ekstrom helped build the first Windansea shack and has been honored by the California Surf Museum. He was also recently featured in the La Jolla Historical Society’s “Waveriders” exhibit with boards and photographs from the local surf culture in the 1930s and 1940s. “He’s a real, true, live surf legend,” Wilson said of Ekstrom, who will be present at the event. Surf meet participants will receive an event T-shirt emblazoned with Ekstrom’s image. Surfers must ride boards that are at least nine feet long. Historical boards are welcome. The event is not competitive “other than the razing among fellow surfers,” Wilson said. The event will begin at 9 a.m. with “Geezers Go First!” for ages 60 and over, followed by “Cavemen & Cavewomen” for ages 45 to 59 at 10 a.m., “Young Guns & Gun Girls” for ages 30 to 44 at 11 a.m., couples and families at noon and “Gremmies & Gremetts” ages 29 and under at 1 p.m. Finally, all entrants surf for free at 2 p.m. until the luau begins at 3:30 with Hawaiian music and food. Registration for the meet is $35 per surfer and includes the free T-shirt. Families can register up to two adults and two children for $60 total, which includes two T-shirts. Additional T-shirts can be purchased for $20 each. Luau tickets are $15 and raffle tickets are $1. To register, call (808) 499-9032.
Discussion about this post