LongBoards & Big Waves

The development of polyurethane foams and epoxy resins after World War Two produced more buoyant materials for surfboards and a single wide base fin was added to the back and the modern longboard was born. In the late sixties and early 70's the prospering sport of surfing underwent what is now referred to as the Short Board Revolution. New designs and materials reduced the average 9 or 10-foot boards down to 6 and 7 feet in length.

The primary difference between the two is that the rider moves up and down the board to control the longboard's movement, whereas the short board is maneuvered by shifting your weight while standing in the same spot on the board, much like riding a skateboard.

Short boards are faster and more maneuverable; Longboards are best suited to small waves. You'll often see riders standing right on the nose of the board cruising a gentle wave into shore.

But this laid back technique isn't what you can expect to see this month with the return to Puerto Escondido of Central Surf's Tube Riding Contest Longboard Invitational (Oct. 8 to 12.)

When Angel Salinas launched his first Invitational Longboard Tube Riding Contest in 1998 he demonstrated that longboarding isn't just for geezers on small waves. On the contrary, it helped create a revolution in the sport and a resurgence in longboarding.

Angel, founder of the famed Central Surf Shop, has represented Mexico in numerous international longboard events. The inaugural contest caused a sensation on the pro-surf circuit in September, 1998, when the best longboard surfers in the world had to battle enormous waves. 35-foot swells for the final's forced judges to call a tie for Kanoa Dahlin (Hawaii) and Beau Young (Australia) and the competitors had to be brought to shore by boat.

This 8th edition of Tube Riding Contest and its shaping up to be a great one with some 32 participants expected. Last year's finalists, Hawaiians Duane de Soto (the winner) and Dino Mirando will be back along with fellow Hawaiians Lance Hookano, Keegan Edwards, Jamie Sterling, Noah Shimabukoro and Makame de Soto. Californian and other stars from the USA will include world champion Joel Tudor, Zack Howard, Josh Baxter Scott Chandler, Darren Ledingham, Danny Cortazzo, Brendan White, Ed Guzman and Dave Ogden.

Surfers from countries as diverse as England (Elliot Dudley and Craig Craigpits), Brazil (Marcelo Freitas) and Venezuela (Gerard Weilhein) will also participate.

Mexico will be represented by Jose Manuel Cano, Rogelio Ramos, Saúl Cadena, Pablo Bonillo and Lázaro Macheto, Abram Cobaxín, Roger Ramírez, John Silver and, of course, the masked surfer, Angel Salinas, who was unable to compete last year due to injury, This event also broke new ground with the inclusion of the formidable Kim Hamrock, the world female longboard champion, who cherishes the opportunity to go up against the guys. This year she will be joined by female stars: big-waver Jamilah Star and Calie Desire de Soto.

This tournament is all about tube-riding. Surfers will be judged on how well they maneuver their big boards (they must be at least 9-feet) through the famous pipeline.

The ideal conditions at this level of competition, say Angel Salinas, are waves of 7 to 9 feet. But fall conditions on Puerto Escondido's Zicatela Beach could provide swells far more formidable.

This year the tournament will take place from Saturday Oct. 8 through Wednesday 12. The welcoming reception for the competitors will be held Friday Oct. 7. Other events will be held during this week, including the mandatory "Miss Bikini" contests. Further details on the tournament will be available at the Central Surf store on Zicatela.

The state government's Tourist Board is providing support for tournament. Other sponsors include the Hotel and Restaurant Associations, the authorities of Santa María Colotepec and special thanks to Tom Chaney and Ruben Piña for their invaluable assistance.