Nearly 150 surfers from San Diego and Baja California took to Imperial Beach waves Sunday to compete in the annual contest, now in its ninth year. 

The contest is named after Dempsey Holder, a former IB lifeguard and local surfer whose 16-foot statue stands at the end of Palm Avenue and Secoast Drive. The meeting room and its surf museum in the lifeguard station is also named after Holder.

Due to recent sand replenishment, competition shifted north of the Imperial Beach Pier. Waves were about 2-3 feet high.

"It was the best surf possible, given weather conditions," said Serge Dedina, executive director of WiLDCOAST.

About 500 people attended, organizers said.

For receiving the highest score of any man or woman competing, Candice Appleby was crowned the Queen of the Dempsey, a new tradition that began this year. Appleby also won 1st place in the Women ages 18-39 division and 2nd in Longboard and Stand-Up Paddle divisions.

Money raised at the contest goes toward WiLDCOAST's efforts to conserve and protect shoreline environment in South San Diego and Baja California.

Menehune Boys

Menehune Girls

Boys

Jr. Men

Jr. Women

Women (18-39)

Men (18-39)

Bodyboard

Longboard

Stand-up Paddle

Masters (40-49)

Masters (50+)

Kneeboard