Seal Beach Surf Contest on for Super Bowl Weekend

The sporting event of the year is finally happening this weekend.

The 2012 Seal Beach Surfing Championship is on for Saturday and Sunday, the Seal Beach Lifeguard Association announced today. Rumor is that there is also a little football game happening in Indianapolis on Sunday as well.

However, the lifeguard association, which is hosting the contest, isn’t worried about a little competition from the Super Bowl.

“We find that the guys who would compete would rather be in the surf contest than watch the Super Bowl,” said Seal Beach Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey. “We are trying to please everybody by ending the surf contest early, so everyone can go watch the Super Bowl.”

The surf forecast for the weekend isn’t spectacular, but the weather forecast is. The waves are expected to average 3 to 5’ high, said Bailey. The National Weather Service is predicting sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s (revised from an earlier forecast of 74).

The contest starts at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The format for the contest will consist of a 30-minute heat on a first come, first serve basis for the first 30 surfers to enter. Within the 30 minutes the surfer to perform the best trick will win a new Body Glove wetsuit and a pair of booties.

The 2012 Seal Beach Surfing Championships divisions will consist of:

Men’s Shortboard

• Men’s Longboard
• Master’s Shortboard
• Master’s Longboard
• Seniors
• Women
• Juniors
• Grom
• Menehune

Every surfer will receive a contest t-shirt and a meal at the awards banquet. Sign-up forms can be found at local businesses, surf shops, and at the Seal Beach Lifeguard Headquarters (888 Ocean Ave). Competitors can also register at sbsurfcontest.com.