Kids Get Surf and Stewardship at Otter Rock and Roll

Kids from two to eighteen competed in various age divisions with the “Parent with Child” division being the most popular with 18 parent/child teams.

Several pictures of event below; there are a whole bunch of awesome photos at surfrideroregon sets on flickr. Photos by Charlie Plybon and Cindy Hanson.

(NEWPORT, OR) - The Surfrider Foundation’s Newport Chapter, joined by their Siuslaw and Portland Chapters hosted over 120 kids and 51 competitors for the 4th annual Otter Rock n’ Roll Youth Surf and Beach Cleanup Challenge in celebration of International Surfing Day.

Observed globally, International Surfing Day celebrates the sport of surfing and helps raise awareness about issues facing our oceans, waves and beaches.

The 18 and under surf contest and beach cleanup challenge kicked off Saturday with spectacular weather, and clear and sunny skies in the protected pocket of Otter Rock/Devil’s Punchbowl State Park. Beachgoers and contest organizers agreed the conditions could not have been much better, save a little fog that crept up in the late afternoon.

Kids from two to eighteen competed in various age divisions with the “Parent with Child” division being the most popular with 18 parent/child teams.

The beach cleanup challenge, a popular way for the non-surfing beachgoers to participate, awarded prizes for best beach trash art, biggest marine debris haul, weirdest piece of debris, largest piece of foam and many other categories.

The challenge teaches stewardship and awareness of marine debris, while rewarding and reinforcing the cleanup behaviors.

The Newport Chapter is extremely grateful to our local sponsors who make this fun, family event so special for our community - Ocean Pulse, Ossie’s Surf Shop, Oregon Surf Shop, Pura Vida Surf Shop, Warm Current, Cleanline Surf Shop Eon Graphics, Bike Newport, Cascade Construction, Savory Café, Coast Home Repair, Dutch Brothers – Newport, Reef and Von Zipper.

Contest Results: (1^st,2^nd,3^rd respectively)

Child w/ parent: Mason Garding, Michael Schell, Olivia Pappalardo

12/under Girls: Savanaah Russo, Isabella Laurino, Sarina Watson-Lacey

12/under Boys: Mason Garding, Trevor Tice, Dawson Wood

13-15 Girls: McKenna Thome, Averi Affeld-Andersen

13-15 Boys: Keenan Wenrick, Loren Robers, Jesse Henton

16-18 Girls: Alyssa Rolen, Autumn Bell

16-18 Boys: Deklyn Wood, Laird Tuel, Christian Anderson

Best Beginner: Nate Wright, Jon Wright, Jona Jarman

Expression Session: Isabella Laurino, Greta Bishop, Emily Thome

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About Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 250,000 supporters, activists and members worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org.