Week of: Thursday, February 01, 2007 |
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by Joe Ditler
This contest has been a tradition in Coronado since 1983 as a memorial to Coronado surfer Jimmy Reilly who died that year in a car accident. The event had humble origins when a group of his friends got together at North Beach to remember a fallen friend. The event has grown far beyond what early organizers ever thought it would: Today the children of those early contestants and organizers compete in junior categories. The event has become a family affair with many family members competing in every category offered. Other fallen friends of the beach have been added to the list of memoriam. And each year hundreds of well wishers attend (both in and out of the water) to celebrate the special feeling generated at the Jimmy Reilly Classic. “This is a very special event and so typical of our island,” said Kathy Clark, a retired schoolteacher who grew up in Coronado. “It's like a grand reunion. I see kids I taught the first five years of my teaching who are out there surfing in the Masters now - people like Pat Mower and John Gillem, who have their own families now. The JR is like a grand reunion for anyone who ever enjoyed the beach here in Coronado. It's as looked forward to each year as the July Fourth Parade in our family.” Members of the Coronado Surfing Association in conjunction with the city of Coronado put in many hours of planning and organizing to make this a bigger and better event than ever. The day began at 6 a.m. to set up tents, loud speakers, and judging stands. The first heat was in the water at 7:30 a.m. Surf was in the two-to-four-foot range with glassy conditions and offshore winds in the morning. There were 22 entries in the Open division, 21 in the Masters, ten in the Women's, ten in the 14 and under girls, and 12 entered in the 14 and under boys division. The wind turned onshore in the late morning which made the surf more challenging, and the water and wind chill were numbing, but finalists were able to show their talent in the water despite deteriorating conditions. After the final heats, the surfers, their families and friends, gathered in the parking lot and on the beach to enjoy a catered lunch by the Brigantine and Miguel's Cocina. At that point there were plenty of stories to share about the day's activities. As the food and awards were being set up and judges tallied their final scores, children on skateboards tried to catch the eye of older surfers as they performed every trick they knew in the parking lot. Longboards were stacked in the back of trucks, on top of cars, and leaning against walls, and ‘60s surf music was blaring from the speakers. The ambience was not much different than a surf contest 35 years past, befitting of the longest continually held surf contest in San Diego County. Perhaps the highlight of the day was young Sven Karlsson winning the Boys 14 and Under Division. As a complete surprise to him, Taylor Jensen, the number one longboarder in the United States (and number three in the world) presented the award to him. Taylor, also a product of the Coronado surfing program, pulled one of his competition longboards from the back of his truck and presented it to Sven. To present one of his longboards to the winner of the junior event is the definitive example of giving back to the community. The sheer inspiration that changed hands with the giving of that board was priceless. Sponsored by the Coronado Surfing Association, proceeds from this event go to the Coronado High School and Middle School Surf teams, the CHS Surf Scholarship, and this year a donation will be made to WiLDCOAST, an environmental group. Results: 14 and Under Boys Sven Karlsson; Curtis Nixon; John Hogan; Jack Alldredge; Sean MacKenzie; Nate Hoffmann. 14 and Under Girls 1. Mallory Mitchell; 2. Erin Kraft; 3. Maggie Harris; 4. Mary Hogan, Brianna Giorgione, Ellie Nixon. Women's Open Mel Rogers; Cheryl “The Shreddar” Woodhouse; Carolyn Mitchell; Peachy Alldredge; Darcie Nixon; Emily Bell. Masters Mike Gillard; Chris McMahon; Alec MacKenzie; Kelly Kraus; Lorton Mitchell; Pat Mower. Men's Open Dan Mann; Mike Gillard; Jack Christiansen; Taylor Mitchell; The Kid; Teevan McManus. The Best Nose Ride trophy was awarded to Terry Gillard and the Best Wipe Out Award was given to Lorton Mitchell, breaking a four-year run held by Shreddar Woodhouse.
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