by : Jenna Goldberg

Linda Benson Defends Women’s World Longboard Competition at Town Hall

"Swami's is a world-class wave, arguably the best wave in the area; a truly perfect venue for a world championship" Linda Benson

A town hall meeting was held in Encinitas, CA on Tuesday, January 19th. The topic: a proposed Women’s World Longboard Championship to be held at Swami’s surf break in the San Diego area of Southern California in October. While most surfers don’t see their beloved recreation as a political issue, the advancement of professional surfing is met with restrictions and legislation like any other business organization. With respected local surfers standing on both sides of the issue, the proposed Swami’s surfing competition is brought to Encinitas Town Hall.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Commission heard the public’s comments on both sides of the issue. On the pro side was five-time U.S. champion, hall of fame surfer and local resident Linda Benson. Having first surfed Swami’s in 1956, Linda is aiming to hold the women’s longboard surfing competition at Swami’s to bring the event closer to U.S. based surfers, from its current venue in Biarritz, France.

"As a longtime local of Encinitas, I felt that this event would be a great opportunity for Encinitas to celebrate with women longboarders as we continue to honor the spirit of our sport," Linda told the commissioners deciding to admit an event permit. "Swami's is a world-class wave, arguably the best wave in the area; a truly perfect venue for a world championship."

Voicing their concerns on holding the four-day surfing contest at Swami’s include local residents and surfers, who question the area’s parking capacity, traffic issues, as well as exploiting their home break and taking water time away from local surfers.

“I would never want to cause Swami’s any harm,” Linda told the town hall attendees.

Unlike the chaos of the U.S. Open held in Huntington Beach, CA or the annual ASP event north of San Diego at Trestles, Linda assures that measures will be taken to keep the contest as low-key as possible; fewer contestants (64), a lowered speaker volume, and an off-site parking area where spectators will be shuttled back and forth, as well as holding qualifying rounds at nearby Moonlight Beach.

Why not hold the contest at another Encinitas surf break? Because “Those aren’t world-class waves,” says Linda.

As of now, there is no standardized process for approving surfing contests at locations like Swami’s, because the surf break and surrounding beach is not a regularly desired venue, like a school gym or auditorium. The hitch in the process then opens the possibility of favoritism and personal conflicts, judging surf contest proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Sunshine Makarow of Carlsbad says of surfing contests in San Diego County, “I deal with it -- it is a fact of life. The beach is public and from time to time it is reserved for special events. The same is true of roadways -- look at when Hwy 101 is closed for a triathalon or marathon, or when part of a public park is reserved for a wedding.”

Currently, the contest is on hold as the Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission weight the pros and cons.

More updates as-it-happens.

View Original Post at dylamagazine.com

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• Surf, Sports, Boardsports