Ready to be recognized

Mike Swanson

Residents who get a rise out of seeing Lagunans dominate at the

highest level of athletic competition can expect to find the

vicarious thrill of victory this weekend at Aliso Beach in South

Laguna, site of the 27th annual Victoria Pro/Am Skimboard contest.

Organizers plan to arrive at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and urge

competitors and spectators to find parking no later than 9 a.m. to

secure a spot. The event is expected to last until about 5 p.m. both

days.

Laguna Beach-based skimboarders finished first through fifth in

last year’s competition, and this year’s event should once again

attract the sport’s toughest competitors from around the globe.

“This is the world championships of skimboarding,” Victoria

Skimboards’ retail specialist Jeff Johnson said. “If you want to get

recognized, you come to this contest.”

Last year’s champion, Mike Stanaland, is out this year with an

injury, as is third-place finisher George Bryan, leaving an apparent

open door for nine-time champion and 2002 second-place finisher Bill

Bryan.

Johnson, however, doesn’t expect any walkovers.

“I’m fully expecting something off the wall in terms of results

this year,” Johnson said. “A lot of kids have been coming out of

nowhere and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new set of winners.”

Every age group is filled, with 150 pro and amateur entrants

signed up, plus about 30 alternates, Johnson said. He added that a

good weekend swell’s expected.

“We’re all anxious to get started,” Johnson said.

Organizers will start setting up the scaffold on Aliso Beach today

at 3:30 p.m. and welcome other helping hands.

Parking for competitors and spectators is suggested at the pier

and on the inland side of South Coast Highway. Limited free parking

is available along South Coast Highway and above West Street. The

award ceremony should begin at around 5 p.m. Sunday.

Prizes will be given throughout the weekend by Hershey’s, the

event’s sponsor.