Ocean Beach to Host Pro Surfing Competition in November

Any local surfer knows that Ocean Beach can be a gnarly, currenty, beachbreak of a mess. The water is frigid, the waves unpredictable. But on calm days, usually in the fall, Ocean Beach can produce some gloriously glassy waves. And that’s just what the Association of Surfing Professionals is banking on.

On Sunday morning, the ASP announced that Ocean Beach will host the 10th event of their World Tour. The competition will bring 35 pros from around the globe to battle it out on the unpredictable waves at Kelly’s Cove. Because there’s no guarantee that our local waves will cooperate, the ASP has given a two-week window (November 1-11) for the competition.

It’s been more than a decade since San Francisco was home to a professional surfing competition. Many local surfers have never seen their beach covered in sponsorship tents (Rip Curl is heading this one), or watched the pros like Kelly Slater try and shred the waves that they tackle every morning.

So when news broke that the professional surfing community would be setting up camp for two weeks, the reactions from locals were mixed. “People are kinda into it ’cause it’s happening, but no one is stoked that it’s happening,” says local surfer Andy Olive in a Surfline.com article.

San Francisco surfers are a different breed than those in the surf towns to the south. SF surfers are generally not impressed with the large, corporate surf scene, and they’re not gaga for the pros. They worry about their normally off-the-radar beach being overtaken by crowds. But even with the overcrowding concerns, many are also psyched to see the pros tackle our notoriously challenging waves.

Rip Curl is working with the local surf community to try and keep it a relatively mellow event. While the competition is sure to bring in throngs of spectators, there will be no music festivals or skate parks to accompany the event. By industry standards, the SF competition will be low-key—meaning that the contestants will have nothing but the frigid water and unpredictable currents to focus on.

View the discussion thread.

They should have held it in Santa Cruz. Ocean Beach sux.

By Anonymous (not verified) on October 19, 2011

Did everyone get their tickets yet? To the Gun show ofcourse!

By surfer dudo (not verified) on April 28, 2011

Who came up with this idea? Not us, the ones who make the paddle... Take this corperate freak show to so-cal where it is wanted!

By jonny (not verified) on April 26, 2011

Bsjshahs

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 26, 2011

SF you really need to thank your lucky stars the WCT is coming to town. No one wants to have a surf contest at OB. Be happy the surf industry is throwing you a bone. Besides it for all the kids who get to see their surf heroes. The WCT only comes to the US once a year so be greatful!!!!!

By surfer dudo (not verified) on April 26, 2011

Kelly Slater has surfed OB...and when he did a shark swam through the line up....otherwise really how many sharks and how gnarly is OB? Don't believe the hype...from corpo sponsors nor hardcore croatian and greek trannies

By Phil McCracken (not verified) on April 26, 2011

First of all OB will never have a crowding issue. Water is too cold and conditions are usually trashed. SF doesnt have to worry, the WCT is not coming to town any time soon thereafter. OB could never be a good venue for a surf contest. OB takes care of the crowds and anything else (surf contests) all by itself. For anyone to think that OB will be "threatened" like its the hot new place is high. SF, OB is a very univiting place. Its only
for the hardcore surfer or the rest who like it flat and with calm winds which is rare. Dont worry SF, no one ever makes a surf trip to OB unless you live there.

By surfer dudo (not verified) on April 26, 2011

"[San Francisco surfers] worry about their normally off-the-radar beach being overtaken by crowds." um, i don't know if this is true. regardless, it's not their beach.

By David (not verified) on April 26, 2011

Congratulations SF surfers. I read the New Yorker article years ago on surfers and ocean beach. It is about time you all get some recognition. I know that you all don't want it but for those of us that have been in the water along the coast in NorCal, you all are the best.

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 26, 2011

Grip and Rip!

By stink pot (not verified) on April 26, 2011

Who wrote this junk, What do you mean nobody wants that here. I'm going. Speak for yourself. Nice to see some action here.

By Anonymous (not verified) on April 26, 2011

They tried this ten years ago and the waves were truly awful. They gave up and haven't been seen until now. One can only hope that nasty old OB cooperates and drives commercialized surfing out of town again with ten days of fog, howling onshore wind, sharks, and a strong rip that pulls all of that stuff out into the down shore current on the outgoing tide. It will eventually wash up on the beaches of Southern California where everyone just loves it.
Cheers!

By Ted (not verified) on April 26, 2011

cool! let's go!

By cathy (not verified) on April 26, 2011