No surf, no contest

When the early surf report predicted strong wave conditions, it

looked as though the 47th Brooks Street Surfing Classic would be a

sure thing last weekend.

But, as has been the case in years past, the two-day contest never

took place.

Because appropriate surf conditions never materialized, the

contest was postponed, said Pat Barry, the director of community

services for the city of Laguna Beach.

Barry said that no make-up date has been set, but that the city’s

most popular surf contest has fallen back into a “waiting period.”

“We were out here early Saturday morning, and it was amazing how

the surf absolutely died,” Barry said. “It had been strong up until

that morning, but it fizzled.

“Because of where the reefs are situated out there, it has to be a

true south swell. And we need a good forecast for the weekend, not

for during the week, because that’s when we hold the contest.”

The contest was canceled a few years ago because appropriate surf

never arrived.

“We’ve learned not to put the year or listing of the annual event

year of the tournament on the trophies, because on some occasions,

the contest wasn’t held at all,” Barry said. “If the surf doesn’t

come and we have to postpone it again this year, then the 2006

contest will become our 47th year.”

The Brooks Street Surfing Classic holds pro and amateur

competition in 11 different divisions.