Christine Carrillo Surfers of all ages, genders...

Christine Carrillo

Surfers of all ages, genders and talent levels took to the waves

Sunday as the inaugural Op Newport Classic came to an end with 10

division finals.

While the competitors surfed amid decent-sized waves and

challenging currents and wind conditions, spectators along the beach

at 56th Street intently watched the different creative styles of each

surfer.

While Op did understand that a large amount of its focus should be

placed on the various surfing competitions, the company also felt

that it was imperative to create an event that provided surfers and

spectators with much more. They wanted to provide a venue for people

of all ages to enjoy the sport and culture of surfing.

“This isn’t secular and this isn’t just for the bro/bra,” said

Alain Mazer, director of public relations for Op. “It’s for the

recreational surfer, the professional surfers; it’s for the whole

gamut. Our idea was to not just create a surfing event for the pro

guys, but for the all the locals.”

With a number of beaches to choose from, Op believed that Newport

Beach, which can often rely on its jetties to synthesize whatever

waves aren’t naturally provided, would be the most conducive beach

for the event.

And with surfing taking off in flight, Op needed to hold the

surfing competition in a premier surfing locale where all the surfers

go, Mazer said.

Although the consistency of Newport Beach might provide common

ground for surfers, it certainly hasn’t lent itself to common

surfing.

“Surfing has advanced so much,” he said. “Kids have taken surfing

into the air; they’ve taken surfing out of the box; they have no

preconceived notions of how surfing should be.”

Providing a venue for surfers to showcase their creativity on the

waves, Op also needed to revise its judging format to keep in pace

with the expanding sport.

“The judging format will be modified to better reflect the more

contemporary aspects of surfing,” Mazer said. “The kids today are not

surfing conscious. It used to be very ridged, and surfers are now

more creative.”

Not only are surfers more creative, but they’re more diverse than

every before. Surfers are no longer of a certain age or gender, which

has often surprised people not in tune with current social changes of

surf culture.

“I was surprised to see how good the girls were,” said Adrian

Lopez, a novice surfer who watched the daylong final events with

friends. “They’re different than the guys, but they’re cool.”

Competing in one of the two main events -- the WQS Women’s Finals

-- Julia Christian and Kyla Langen of Carlsbad agreed that women’s

style of surfing differs from the men’s, but said they believe it’s

not as much about skill as it is about finesse.

“The styles are different -- we have a lot more finesse than the

men,” said 20-year-old Christian, who has been surfing for eight

years. “There’s a lot more support for the women ... and that’s good

to see.”

The Op event, which began Wednesday, catered to an array of people

with divisions that included: an airshow competition; elementary,

middle and high school surfer competitions; men and women amateur and

professional competitions; and classic ‘70s surfboard competitions.

“It’s so cool to see something like this, especially in a venue

like this where people can see,” said 20-year-old Langen, who has

been surfing for seven years. “It was super to see such progressive

surfing ... and I’m stoked to be competing with such good girls.”

As the event provided good competition for the surfers and

entertainment for the spectators, Op managed to present an event of

mass appeal.

“Op has a rich heritage in Southern California surfing, and it

basically is Op’s recommitment to Southern California surfing,” Mazer

said. “It’s not exclusionary. It’s just pure, unadulterated surfing

for surfers of all abilities.”

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Results were not available by press time.

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO is the news assistant. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4298 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.