By Kyle Khatchadourian
Staff writer
Leaders of the South Bay Boardriders are challenging the notion that surfing is an individual sport.
Throughout the years, surf shops and companies have put on local surf contests for all ages. However, the turn-out always seemed to disappoint sponsors and organizers.
In 2008, Mike Balzer had an idea for a South Bay surf club that was more family-oriented in order to bring together the community. By having extra activities at the contests along with food and other free products, Balzer along with his friends could accomplish their goal of creating a more family-friendly environment.
“The South Bay has always been looked at as a surf town because of its past surfing history and the many surf companies that have come out of this community, but the town lacked a strong community rubber band that held the surf community together,” pioneer of South Bay Boardriders Club Derek Levy said.
The idea of this club arose while Tom Horton, Derek Levy, and Dan Bradford, all friends of Balzer, were having lunch at El Gringo in Hermosa Beach. At first they were hesitant about creating a club because the sport of surfing is more about the individual rather than a team. However, by the time they left the restaurant, they all knew that this was exactly what South Bay’s surf community needed.
The main mission of the South Bay Boardriders Club is to teach all members of the community, young and old, the history of the sport and about different ocean activities as a whole. The club hopes that the community will come together and share its passion for the sport and love for the ocean.
The South Bay Boardriders club sponsors the Big Wave Challenge, which began in January 2011. This year, the grand prize is $6,000. As for the contests, the Boardriders have put together a series of competitions called the South Bay Surf Series.
“The Big Wave Challenge and Surf Series are great ways to bring the community together to help support the surf life in South Bay,” senior Shane Foley said. “The contests that the Boardriders Club put on are a lot more fun than other South Bay contests that sometimes have less support.”
The South Bay Boardriders Club has continued to grow due to its rising support throughout the surfing community. Even though the club has only been around for two years the contests and other activities have made an impact on the sport of surfing in the South Bay community.
“I was surprised at how people throughout the surf community came together so fast to put a club like this into action,” original member Kelly Zaun said. “It is definitely what the South Bay community needed for their children and families to have a good time with the sport.”
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