The Gathering: Rogue Ales 4th Annual Longboard Classic
South Beach, Newport, Sept 9-10, 2006.

By Laura Eberly Of the News-Times

Despite thick morning fog that settled along South Beach State Park on Saturday morning, The Gathering Longboard Classic - the fourth annual longboard surf contest hosted by Rogue Ales - attracted more than 100 contestants and as many spectators to the beach for a weekend of camaraderie and competition.

The event was held at the break between the state park and Yaquina Bay's south jetty, where judges watched the waves from a viewing tower set up near the Rogue Ales beer garden and participants staked out day camps with beach blankets, tents, and fire pits.

Master of Ceremonies Peter DiRusso and his wife Liz kept the crowd entertained and informed throughout the weekend, announcing the various heats and playing festive music to match the mood of the day's events.

The fog made for a late start Saturday morning, when the first heat got underway at 10:30 a.m. rather than the scheduled 7 a.m. start time, but visibility increased as the day progressed and the judges ran heats during fog breaks to score the contest. Waves on Saturday swelled between six to eight feet and provided plenty of opportunity for long rides on glassy waters.

Winds picked up a bit on Sunday, which helped keep the fog away and contributed to excellent visibility for the finals. Sunday's waves were a little smaller, closer to 6 feet, but did not disappoint and provided a good showcase for the competitors - many of whom spent considerable time and energy just getting outside the break.

The event included categories for all ages and both genders along with a contest for children with a parent, which was well attended by moms and dads with their surfer boys and girls. New this year, a kneeboard competition was added to the contest.

The Gathering is always held the weekend after Labor Day and will return next year with special events planned to celebrate the competition's fifth anniversary. Rogue Ales is the host and primary sponsor of the classic, and is joined by major sponsors Earthling Coffee, which provided complimentary coffee throughout the weekend; Umpqua Bank, which supplied complimentary bottled water; Clif-Bar energy bar; and www.Girls4Sport.com.

Results

Grand Dukes, age 60 to 69

1. Abraham "Snake" Ah-Hee
2. Danny Anderson
3. Bud Roberts.

Dukes, age 50 to 59

1. Scott Hutchison
2. Gary Smither
3. Peter Cochran
4. Jeff Hollen
5. Spike Richardson
6. Stephen Kimberley

Midlife Cruisers, age 40 to 49

1. Mark Wilkinson
2. Mike Bensen
3. Buzzy Morales
4. Mike Tuel
5. Nolan West
6. Gary Gregg

Hot Shots, age 30 to 39

1. Kirk Tice
2. Rob Russo
3. Rusty Gibson
4. Jason Adams
5. Tor Rockness
6. Martin Manguia.

Boys, age 20 to 29

1. Phil Morris
2. Kainoa Casco
. Derrick Morris
4. Ollie Richardson
5. Ken Wilson
6. Max Beeken

Gremmies, age 13 to 19

1. Mau Ah-Hee
2. CC Unger-Mayor
3. Frazer Mayor
4. Mattie Starr
5. Jack Richardson
6. Andy Hensley.

Special Division-Kneeboard

1. "Iron Man" Mike Jipp
2. Buzzy Morales
3. "Metallica" Ernie Martella
4. "Skeeter" Peter DiRusso
5. "Berrymon" John
6. "Tuel Time" Mike Tuel

Gals, over age 25

1. Rachel Ward
2. Nellyda Anslow
3. Dannille Bennett
4. Cristen Don
5. Nancy Maxwell-Mathias
6. Abigail McCarthy.

Gals, age 25 and under

1. Sierra Gjerde
2. Jennifer Buxbaum
3. Dannielle Black
4. Sera Jansen
5. Hannah Nicholls
6. Rachel Downing.

Menahunies solo

1. Brock Gion
2. Laird Tuel

Menahunies with parent

1. Eli Field
2. Eva Barten
3. Daemon Fassler
4. Hannah Wehr
5. Wyatt Link
6. Joey Swan
7. Harley
8. B. Eden

       

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