SOUTH SWELL ROCKS CORONADO KIDS FOR CLEAN WATER SURF FEST

SOUTH SWELL ROCKS CORONADO KIDS FOR CLEAN WATER SURF FEST

Coronado, May 8. The first south swell of the season delivered great waves on Sunday May 7th for the Second Annual Kids For Clean Water Menehune Surf Fest. More than 50 zinc-painted groms ripped the 4-5’head-high super consistent surf at the Coronado Shores. The Coronado Surfing Association organized the event with support from the City of Coronado, WiLDCOAST, Emerald City Boarding Source, Coronado Surfing Academy, and Island Surf.

The Kids for Clean Water Surf Fest was designed to bring awareness to the plight of California’s most southerly beaches, Coronado and Imperial Beach, which have been closed more than 85 combined days so far this year. “The Menehune event brings environmental awareness of Coronado and Imperial Beach waters to new levels,” said John Gillem, founder of the Coronado Surfing Association. “We take surfing and clean water for granted. People are again talking about what to do about dirty water. This is how it starts. We are very pleased to have such a fine event, and to have helped in achieving such a local, regional, and even global awareness.”

As the surf pumped in the early rounds, Taylor and Chris Mitchell battled it out in the boys 14-16 short board division, with Chris winning first. Emily Ball took first in the Girl’s 14-16 combined event, with Mallory Mitchell winning the girl’s 8-13 combined event. Israel Dedina and Sven Karrlson placed first in the boys 8-10 shortboard and longboard divisions respectively. Andre Palmatier and Ellie Nixon took home the gold in the 7 and under divisions. Contest participants were stoked to have Coronado Mayor Tom Smisek on the beach lending his strong support for their great surfing and desire for Clean Water.

The highlight of the Surf Fest was when the young surfers held a Clean Water Rally mid-event to highlight the importance, as surfers, of protecting our community’s most valuable resource—our waves and beaches. The rally was nearly disrupted as a masked lucha libre wrestler, Bajagua El Polluter, appeared and demanded that the contest be cancelled. Not to be intimidated, the children shrieked with delight as masked lucha libre star Tiburon- Defensor de los Mares (Defender of the Seas) emerged from the surf to defend them. Together the groms and Tiburon chased off Bajagua El Polluter shouting, “Get out of here kook!”, “Clean water now,” and, “Queremos agua limpia.”

The rally attracted television crews from KUSI-51 and Univision. Andrew Palmatier, son of veteran Sloughs surfer Barry Palmatier, and winner of the seven and under boys division, told the Univision crew in Spanish that, “I need clean water so I can keep surfing with my dad and sister.” He also thanked his mom for supporting his surfing. This year’s Kids for Clean Water Menehune Surf Fest was a very special event that highlighted the community’s involvement in passing on the stoke of surfing along with the importance of ocean stewardship to future generations.

KIDS FOR CLEAN WATER 2006 RESULTS

Boys 7 & Under
1. Andre Palmatier
2. Charlie Duffy
3. Christopher Cummins
4. Austin Dozier
5. Lance Mann

Girls 7 & Under
1. Ellie Nixon
2. D’Amy Steward
3. Trudie Nixon
4. Sierra Salerni
5. Lilly Mann

Boys 8 – 10 Shortboard
1. Israel Dedina
2. Daniel Dedina
3. Chuckie Eaton
4. Cheyne Merrill
5. Leland Orr
6. Joshua Johnson

Boys 8 – 10 Longboard
1. Sven Karlsson
2. Tanner Caldwell
3. Marshall Alldredge

Girls 8 – 13 Combined
1. Mallory Mitchell
2. Avery Woodhouse
3. Sally Harris
4. Michelle McDonald
5. Natalia Palmatier
6. Breanna Silk
7. Madison Stockman

Boys 11 – 13 Combined
1. Curtis Nixon
2. Jack Alldredge
3. Tyler Smith
4. Jonathan Fisher
5. Mitch Stockman
6. Lance Martin

Girls 14 – 16 Combined
1. Emily Ball
2. Mary Hogan
3. Michelle McDonald
4. Natasha Macaskill

Boys 14 – 16 Shortboard
1. Chris Mitchell
2. Taylor Mitchell
3. Sean O’Brien
4. Chip Fisher
5. Sean MacKenzie
6. Danny Fischer

Boys 14 – 16 Longboard
1. Taylor Mitchell
2. Matt Erickson
3. Joe McMahon
4. John Hogan
5. Danny Fischer
6. Jackson Cusic