By Andrea Swayne
Professional surfers, the Gudauskas brothers of San Clemente—Patrick, Dane and Tanner—are teaming up with the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation to co-host the foundation’s fifth annual surf contest for kids 14 and under on September 15 at T Street.
The brothers are sponsoring scholarship entries into the event, dubbed Stoke-o-Rama, for all 86 entrants. Proceeds will benefit the foundation in support of its mission to assist the city in meeting its parks and recreation funding needs.
Born and raised in San Clemente, Patrick, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas all said they are excited about the opportunity to be able to give back to the community that has given them so much support throughout their lives and surfing careers while passing the stoke on to the next generation of up-and-coming surfers.
“We’re fired up to have the event coming together at T Street, where we grew up surfing,” said Patrick. “It’s the center of surf stoke and will be a great chance for the groms in town to get together and enjoy a fun-filled day of surf froth.”
“And, to be able to give back to an organization like the Friends of San Clemente that provides financial support for local kids and other community members is also exciting,” added Tanner.
Other sponsors for Stoke-o-Rama include Vans, Skullcandy, Jack’s Surf Shop and Channel Islands Surfboards. All are lending their support through donations to the foundation as well as by providing prizes for competitors.
The contest format will differ from traditional events where the top 50 percent of surfers in each heat advance on to the next round. In this event, advancement will be determined based on the top combined wave scores of all competitors.
In the boys’ divisions, all surfers will surf two rounds, and advancement to the finals will be based on the sum of each surfer’s top two scores from each preliminary heat—a four-wave total. Six competitors will advance to the final.
In girls’ competition, there will be spots for 12 girls in two semifinal heats. Each competitor will surf in one semifinal heat, and the top six girls will advance to the finals based on the combined top two wave scores of all 12 surfers.
The Under 8 Pops ‘n’ Pups Push-in division will be a “straight to final” expression session awarding prizes for first through eighth place.
“This is all about letting the kids surf as many heats as possible in order to share the spirit of camaraderie instead of just the hardcore competitive vibe in many conventional events,” Dane said. “It’s all about bringing people who share a love for the ocean and surfing together.”
The full list of openings is as follows: 14U Boys, 24 slots; 12U Boys, 24; 10U Boys, 18; 14U Girls, 12; and in the 8U Boys/Girls Push-in, there will be eight openings.
The contest will also include an expression session with special guest pro surfers.
“With the Hurley Pro kicking off the following day at Lowers, you never know who will show up,” Dane said.
Entries will be available at Jack’s Surf Shop on Avenida Del Mar Street in downtown San Clemente starting at 9 a.m. August 4 through August 15 at 6 p.m. Entries will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
Questions should be directed to Don Kindred at 949.492.8981.
Information can also be found online at www.friendsofsanclemente.org
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