Surf’s Up, and So Are the Crowds at Contest

Sun and surf lovers flocked to Huntington Beach on Wednesday, some to escape the heat, others to ride the 8- to 10-foot waves kicked up by a Pacific storm, still others to watch the mainland’s biggest surfing competition.

When a rare midday fog rolled in, it added to an already surrealistic scene in which backhoes and temporary fencing for the city’s $12-million pier project were the backdrop for huge crowds in bikinis and baggies.

About 350,000 spectators are expected through Sunday for the G-Shock U.S. Open of Surfing, said Lyndon Cabellon, surfboard manager at Huntington Surf & Sport.

“The world comes to Huntington,” he said. “Come Sunday, it will be standing room only in some places.”

Those crowds plus high surf and strong side currents have created “kind of a recipe for danger,” said Ron Hagan, the city’s community services director.

“On the one hand it’s great for the pro surfers, but it’s extremely dangerous for the people going to the beach just to cool off,” Hagan said. “If you’re not a real strong swimmer, stay out of the surf.”

There has already been one tragedy this week. A Long Beach man swimming with a friend Tuesday disappeared after being caught in heavy surf and undertow, officials said. Mark White, 19, had still not been found late Wednesday and was presumed to have drowned, Hagan said.

Lifeguards rescued 46 people Tuesday and expected to save more than 60 Wednesday, Marine Safety Lt. Michael Beuerlein said. Officials were concerned, too, about traffic congestion. The pier construction has temporarily wiped out 600 prime parking spots.

“It is going to be a little inconvenient,” said Rich Barnard, deputy city administrator. “But the true enthusiasts, I don’t think that’s going to stop them.”

Most beach-goers were philosophical about the scarcity of parking spots.

“Come early,” said surfer Steve Christian, 26, of Manhattan Beach as he prepared to compete Tuesday.

“It’s going to get crazy this weekend,” he said. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

Though some locals grouse about the mob scene, merchants are taking advantage of it, adding staff to help to deal with the throngs and hoping they will spend money on surf gear.

Cabellon, whose shop is across Pacific Coast Highway from the pier, shrugged off the construction site and parking crunch as “part of the growing pains. . . . It will be good long term.”

Except for an hour or so when the fog halted the surfing competition, tanned and tattooed spectators Wednesday lined the pier, elbow to elbow, dashing from side to side to glimpse a great surfing run or an especially big wave.

The crowd, including many holding boards of their own, oohed and aahed over impressive displays and laughed in sympathy each time a surfer wiped out.

Sitting in temporary bleachers south of the pier, Cheryl Carter, 24, of Fullerton said she hardly noticed the beeping backhoes in the construction zone behind her. Her focus was on soaking up rays and picking up surfing pointers.

She offered this advice for everyone heading to Huntington today through the weekend: “Don’t forget your sun block. Be prepared to wait for parking. And drink a lot of water.”

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* BIG BREAKERS

Hurricane Guillermo kicked up Hawaiian-sized waves at site of surfing contest. C8

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Where to Park

Huntington Beach officials say the best bets for parking are the city-owned beach south of the pier or the downtown parking garage behind Pierside Pavilion. If those locations are full, metered parking will cost 25 cents for every 15 minutes. So, bring plenty of quarters.

1. Huntington City Beach

Location: Pacific Coast Highway between 1st Street and Beach Boulevard

Rate: $6 a day

Number of spaces: 2,200

2. Parking Garage

Location: 3rd Street and Walnut Avenue

Rate: $2 for first hour, $1 an hour after that; maximum $5. Weekdays until 6 p.m., the first hour is free

Number of spaces: 850

Source: City of Huntington Beach; Researched by STEVE CARNEY/For the Times