Longboarders Are Taking Surfing Back to Its Roots

When talking about longboarding, Joel Tudor of Del Mar speaks with reverence.

Never mind that he happens to be the best in the world, or that he most likely will take his place among surfing’s legends one day. The chance to promote the sport he loves is something Tudor says he needs to do.

“It’s where the roots are,” Tudor said in describing longboarding. “I think for the longest time, people forgot about the past . . . the history of surfing. But I think it’s changing. I’m seeing more and more groms taking up the sport. And that’s exciting.”

Case in point: When Tudor emerged from the water after a heat at the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach two weeks ago, he was greeted by a swarm of young autograph-seekers--a scene usually reserved for the top surfers on the Word Championship Tour.

“I can’t tell you how important that is to see those groms asking me for an autograph,” Tudor said. “You can see in their eyes that the sport isn’t dead but lives with them.”

Tudor and fellow longboarder Josh Mohr of Huntington Beach spoke about longboarding at the U.S. Open.

At the time, Tudor and Mohr were looking forward to the Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic in Costa Rica, which started Tuesday.

“It’s so cool. All these surfers, gathered together,” Mohr said. “It’s not only a competitive thing, it’s like a vacation.”

It’s the seventh annual event, and besides Tudor and Mohr, world-class longboarders such as Geoff Moysa, Bonga Perkins, Josh Baxter, Colin McPhillips and Michael DeMont will be on hand.

“First of all, I want to say I have nothing against shortboarding,” said Tudor, who won his fourth U.S. Open title last month. “They do what they do. And we do what we do. Sometimes, the shortboarders will get on a longboard. But for me, it’s pretty much longboard.”

In addition to the men’s longboarding event, the Toes on the Nose Longboard Classic will include women’s competition.

BEACHLEY’S BIG PAYDAY

Australian Layne Beachley, who was plagued by knee problems during the U.S. Open and the Gotcha Pro last month, won $20,000 this week in the Newquay Surf 99 contest at Cornwell, England.

The cash prize was the largest a woman has ever won in a surfing contest. Beachley, who is still suffering from a torn ligament in the knee, retains the top spot of the WCT women’s rankings.

SKIMBOARDING MAGAZINE

Skim magazine, a Laguna Beach-based publication devoted primarily to skimboarding, has produced its second issue. The magazine, which publishes four times a year, includes some outstanding photos--check out the skimboarders on the Wedge--and articles on this increasingly popular sport You can contact the magazine at 1278 Glenneyre PMB #284, Laguna Beach, 92651.

NEXT STOP, FRANCE

The next stop for the WCT will be the French T&C; Lacanan Pro at Lacanan Beach, France. The contest, which starts Tuesday and ends Aug. 23, will be a key event for the men. Anyone ranked in the top five could take the top spot, currently held by Australian Mark Occhilupo.