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Annual Noll Longboard Classic Celebrates Eleventh Anniversary by Sarah Hundley The North Pacific was pure glass as heats kicked off at 7:30 am for the Eleventh Annual Noll Longboard Classic held at South Beach in Crescent City, Calif. on September 30 and October 1, 2006. This popular gathering welcomes over 250 contestants (ages 3 to 63 on up) and scores of water junkies from Seattle to San Diego, and as far away as Hawaii. Launching the event weekend was Surfrider Foundation Crescent City Chapter’s annual Surf Movie Nite, a fundraiser for the non-profit environmental organization that has been protecting our beaches for over 20 years. This year’s chosen film was “Riding Giants,” a Stacy Peralta documentary about BIG wave riders, featuring Greg Noll, Jeff Clark and Laird Hamilton. Greg Noll, who lives and shapes in Del Norte County, stopped by the screening at Red’s Theater in downtown Crescent City to greet fans and sign autographs. Saturday the skies high over South Beach were overcast making for great visibility minus the sun’s glare, which made the judges’ eyes glad. The sandbars at South Beach were still quite filled-in without sufficient storm swells yet this season, creating hard-breaking waves that were shoulder to head high. Tube rides were abundant in the punchy waves. Conditions remained that way until a slight Southerly (on shore) wind came up Sunday afternoon, causing the finalists to really step up their games. There were heats for kids (Menehunes), gals (Wahines), all the way to the Grand Dukes (60 years young and up), as well as the Tandem heat, where two people attempt to ride one big board and still maintain style. The theme for the eleventh Classic was inspired by a Pacific Northwest Indian sea turtle carving by local artist and surfer, Jeremy “Jermo” Hullman, whose art was featured on the event’s posters and merchandise. Currently all marine turtle species are experiencing serious threats to their survival, largely because of things humans are doing to the planet’s oceans and beaches. Many global cultures honor these ancient and magnificent beings as a symbol of our sacred home here on Earth. Turtles remind us that all living things are connected, and that what effects one will ultimately effect all. Mike Jipp, owner of Lincoln City Surf Shop and Pacific Northwest Surf Museum, created a mini-museum on the sand where he displayed some vintage Greg Noll boards. Skeeter was the main emcee for the weekend, and played fabulous music from Paul Simon to Spearhead, which enhanced the already merry mood. Folks made themselves cozy on the beach with blankets and driftwood fires, as the sounds of ukuleles and laughter swirled in the ocean breeze. There was lots of yummy grub to enjoy like fresh malasadas and noodles from Malia’s Kitchen of Humboldt, clam chowder and chili dogs from Crescent City’s Coast Guard Auxiliary, and tri-tip BBQ sandwiches from Ray’s Food Place. After the awards ceremony Sunday afternoon the fun rolled on at Wipe Out Night, held this year at Surfside Grill, where folks feasted, drank and shared stories and memories. Rhyn, who began handcrafting ukuleles over the past year, performed in a uke trio with local artists Mike and Terri Selfridge. Primo prizes were given away all weekend, like T-shirts, hats, rash guards, surf dvd’s, leashes, seashell jewelry, gloves and flip-flops, while the biggest prizes were saved for the awards ceremony, including a Rhyn Noll surfboard. Newbies and seasoned wave riders all had a chance to win a gorgeous trophy hand-crafted by local woodworkers. From the crew at Rhyn Noll Surf & Skate, “Mahalo to our wonderful sponsors, vendors and volunteers who helped make the 11th Noll Longboard Classic the best yet! The Classic will return next year with special celebrations planned for number 12!” Rhyn Noll, son of legendary surfer Greg Noll, opened Rhyn Noll Surf & Skate with his mother, Beverly, in 1989. The shop offers custom hand-shaped longboard surfboards and skateboards, as well as hand-carved tikis, one-of-a-kind ukuleles, and three skateboarding books by Rhyn, plus a wide selection of surf and skate accessories, clothes and gifts. Rental equipment is also available or check out the vintage surfboards, skateboards and memorabilia on display to enjoy, including the Guinness-record-holding World’s Longest Skateboard. The Noll family launched their ever-popular Annual Noll Longboard Surf Classic in 1996. A dvd of the event will soon be available from ASV Productions. If you would like more info, go to www.awesomesurfvideos.com All photos by Steve Ward of Falcon View Photography. If you would like to order prints, contact falconview@aol.com Rhyn Noll Surf & Skate
2006 Noll Longboard Classic Champions Menehunes with an Adult (ages 12 & under) 1. Wyatt Rohn ~ Blue Lake, CA 1. Kestan Brooks ~ Grants Pass, OR 1. Skyler Trout ~ Arcata, CA 1. Luke Graves ~ Trinidad, CA 1. Sacha Broom ~ Crescent City, CA Menehunes (ages 12 & under)1. Delia Bense-Kang ~ Arcata, CA
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