Kahuna Kupuna benefit surf contest has record turnout

 

The 15th annual Kahuna Kupuna Benefit surf contest, a fundraiser for Pacifica's Environmental Family, was held Saturday July 19, at Linda Mar Beach in very surfable two- to three- foot waves with occasional four-foot sets.

As an extra bonus to go along with the balmy, humid weather, the ocean temperature was a relatively warm 58 degrees and the wind didn't get too frisky in the afternoon. What the waves lacked in size, they made up for in quality.
Contestants had the choice of a nice left or right breaking wave in front of the north parking lot along the beach just north of Taco Bell. A record turn-out of over 90 contestants competed and ranged in age from 9 to 82. The crowd of spectators peaked at an estimated 200 by early afternoon.
The Kupuna is the only amateur surf contest in the world specifically designed for older surfers age 40 and over and features age divisions: Junior Kupuna Division for men and women surfers age 40 to 49 and then in five-year increments starting at age 50 and going up to age 80 plus. These age ranges are quite different from the standard 15-year or...more