OMSurf 25th Annual Classic Longboard Surfing Contest
The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) is calling all surf enthusiasts to grab their vintage surfboards and gather for a nostalgic competition at the North Side of Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach. The 25th Annual Classic Longboard Surfing Contest will take place on Saturday, September 15. Proceeds from the event go to benefit Drowning Prevention Foundation of San Diego AKA San Diego Junior Lifeguards.
Check-in for the contest will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the first heat paddle out at 8:15 a.m. All contestants must surf on 1969 or older longboards, nine foor or longer, with no leash. There are separate divisions for Open, Wahine and Menehune (youth 16 years old and under).
For some, the OMSurf competition is more than just a surf contest. Ron Greene is a long-time participant of the Classic Longboard Surfing Contest. During the 2013 classic, Greene suffered from a full cardiac heart attack while out on the water. In the middle of the semi-final round, Greene drowned and had no heartbeat or pulse. Lifeguards on duty pulled him from the water and proceeded to use a defibrillator to restore his heartbeat. Greene then spent three days in a cold induced coma and was later sent in for an Open Heart Quad Bypass.
Flash toward two months, Greene was back in the Pacific Ocean surfing again and enjoying his lifelong hobby. For Greene, participating in the OMSurf competition means that he gets a second chance to get back on the horse after competing in the contest for many years. Greene and his son, Alex who has participated in the competition four times, are signed up for this year’s contest and are excited to be part of the event.
Those who are interested in competing in the 25th Annual Classic Longboard Surfing Contest or watching the action can find more information at http://www.ombac.org/omsurf/.
OMBAC is a 501(c) 4 non-profit organization that focuses on amateur sports, youth athletics, and local charities. OTL is the main fundraising event. Past recipients of OMBAC’s fundraising and donations included UCSD Cancer Research, Jr. OTL Scholarships, Wounded Warrior Foundation, Huntington’s disease, Bikes for Kids, Jr. Lifeguard Foundation, Cancer Walk, Marine Family Christmas Fund, Alpha Project, Meals on Wheels, Hospice, Pacific Beach Youth Group, San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade, San Diego Blood Bank, OMBAC Rugby, OMBAC Lacrosse and OMBAC Water Polo. For more information, visit www.ombac.org,
Category: Events, feature, Health & Fitness, Local News
