Tag: surfing

Professional surfers to compete in first Gerry Lopez River Surf Invitational

by Richard Uhlhorn

Lakeside Surf will be offering plenty of surfing action over the Labor Day weekend.

The Event:
It’s one of the most exciting action packed events of the year. On Labor Day weekend some of the best river surfers in the world will be in Chelan competing to compete for some of the $40,000 in cash prizes at the first biennial Gerry Lopez River Surf Invitational.

The History:
Over the past three years, Lakeside Surf has hosted an annual Continental Surf Cup featuring a European team against the best surfers from around the region. The highly successful Continental Surf Cup has been put on hold until next year to make way for the Gerry Lopez River Surf Invitational.

“It relieves some of the tension to be here,” said Robert Bordner. “The logistics of traveling here is challenging for the Europeans.” Obtaining team visas is one of the main challenges.

The Gerry Lopez event gives individual surfers from around the world to come and compete on one of the best standing river surf waves in the world.

The Venue:
Lakeside Surf has become one of the most enjoyable and stunning venues anywhere on the planet. Situated above Waterslides, Lakeside Surf offers both spectators and surfers an engaging experience. Spectators are always free and surfers, new and experienced have an exciting, adrenaline fueled rush of fast moving water 51 feet wide and up to six feet tall. The views from the location is also stunning offering a spectacular scene of Lake Chelan stretching out to the surrounding orchards and vineyards and mountains.

Lakeside Surf’s venue offers plenty of seating for spectators. Spectators are always free.

The Competition:
With $40,000 at stake, the Gerry Lopez River Surf Invitational will see a number of male and female surfers from around the world compete against each other in a variety of segments from tricks to open surfing competition.

Beginning on Wednesday, August 27, the Pros will have a practice session beginning at 12:45 p.m. and again beginning at 5:45 p.m.

On Thursday, August 28, The pros will again have some practice times, but actual competition begins with the Round 1 of the Open Amateur competition at 5:45 through7:15 p.m. Round 2 takes place on Friday, August 29 from 3 p.m to 4:30 p.m. with the finals from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.

The top male and female surfers in the Open Amateur comp. will fill the final roster in the Gerry Lopez Invitational

Saturday’s Professional competition will begin with Heats # 1 followed by the Best Trick session and finishing up around 9:30 p.m. with the Best Trick & Grab session.

Sunday’s competition will begin at 2:30 p.m. with Standard Heat #2 followed by the Semi finals and Finals with an Awards show following.

The Competitors:
There are a number of local surfers on the list of professionals that fans will recognize and cheer for. High on that list is Cash Eygabroad who won this year’s Battle of the Butte competition with some incredible surfing. He’s joined in the pro ranks by Ben Benson who is a major challenger of Eygabroad’s. Liam O’Driscoll, Elijah Moody, Jared Eygabroad (Cash’s dad) and Logan Watson fill out some of the local surfers who will be challenging the surfers traveling to Chelan to try and claim some of that cash up for grabs.

On the ladies side, there is Cash Hoover who is from Hawaii, but is a well known Lakeside surfer. She is joined by Sierra White, Reese Bordner, Kale Funston and Madeline Cowan.

Sponsor Involvement:
Want your business to be front and center. Lakeside Surf has a number of options for you to consider. Join Rocket Apples, File Boats and other sponsors of this competition and be seen by hundred’s of spectators for as little as $200.00

For more information visit http://www.Lakesidesurf.com

LAKESIDE SURF TO HOST FIRST EVER OPEN COMPETITION IN JUNE

Battle of the Butte

by Richard Uhlhorn

Lakeside Surf is hoping to become a Global River Surfing headquarters by adding a major new surfing event to augment its Fall Continental Surf Cup that pits the best European river surfers against the best river surfers the United States can challenge them with.

The Battle of the Butte will take place on June 28 and 29 and has been designed to challenge any surfer with the competitive spirit.

Competition between Europe and the U.S. was fierce at last year’s Continental Surf Cup.

There will be four different divisions with categories for both male and female surfers. Surfers in the Open Division can compete against their peers for that special place on the podium with the biggest prize being awarded an invitation to Team USA for the 2024 Continental Surf Cup.

Both men and women compete.

“Our main goal is to promote the sport of river surfing while offering an exciting competition for both surfers and spectators alike,” said Manager Jared Eygabroad. “This event was created to generate some fun competition between surfers of all ages and skill levels.”

The two-day event will begin on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for the Best Trick Trophy and the Super Groms (10 to 13 year olds) battle for a podium finish.

Performing tricks on the way can be tricky.

Saturday’s competition will feature the Groms (14 to 17), Prime (18 to 44), Masters (45+), followed by the Open division who will try to advance to the evening finals and potentially a spot on the podium.

The event will challenge the surfers skill levels and give them a chance to experience the thrill of competition. This event is less a winner take all and more of everyone wins while having fun on the water.

Spots for each division is limited, so surfers interested in competing should jump onto the $50 registration which will guarantee each participant a shared 90-minute warm-up session and at least one competitive heat and an event T-shirt.

Surfers can only only sign up for one age division, but can add to the fun by also registering for the $30 Best Trick competition. They will be guaranteed a shared 60 minute warm-up and at least one competitive heat.

For more details and information (including judging & scoring criteria) please visit: lakesidesurf.com/battle-of-the-buttelakesidesurf.com/battle-of-the-butte

Last year’s Continental Surf Competition drew may hundreds of spectators to watch river surfers compete for the glory of winning. Lakeside Surf is always free to spectators.

Spectators are always free at Lakeside Surf from the upper Slidewater parking lot where they can enjoy the competition, breathtaking views, some of the best fish tacos in Chelan and Two Can Jenny’s Surf Bar.

Lakeside Surf offers spectators spectacular view of Lake Chelan especially when the sun dips below the horizon.
The sunsets from Lakeside Surf are stunning.

Media and sponsorship opportunities for the Battle of the Butte are still being secured. Interested parties should reach out to tournament host Lakeside Surf at sierra@lakesidesurf.com.

For more information about the Battle of the Butte, Lakeside Surf, the Continental Surf Cup or sponsorship opportunities, please email jared@lakesidesurf.com