Pro surfers are hitting the waves at Morro Rock. Here’s how to catch the action
Pro surfers are descending on Morro Bay this weekend for the first-ever World Surf League’s SLO CAL Open at Morro Rock.
A couple hundred people turned out Thursday to watch the first heats of the men’s action.
The competition, a qualifying series event that runs Thursday through Sunday, features some of the top names in surfing, including Conner Coffin of Santa Barbara and Kevin Shulz of San Clemente, who won the recent SLO CAL Open at Pismo Beach. Locals Austin Neuman and Braden Jones of Pismo Beach are also slated to compete.
The women’s side includes 14-year-old Sawyer Lindblad of San Clemente, who won in Pismo Beach earlier this month, and Sydney Beckett, a 15-year-old surfer from Morro Bay High School who will be competing in her first-ever event.
“I surf the Rock on a regular basis, and it’s such a great beach break that picks up swell very well,” Beckett told the World Surf League ahead of the event. “It’s such a great spot to explore, and I’m so excited to be a part of this event.”
The event was organized by Andy McKay, director of the nonprofit Surfers of Tomorrow group that helps youth surfers compete in local competitions along the California coast. McKay said 132 surfers are participating this weekend, 96 men and 36 women
“I’ve taken it upon myself to find local brands and local communities to help promote and sponsors these events, and I have found out it does really well for tourism and the towns really like it,” he said. ”We host the events during the off-season for the businesses and they really appreciate it. It gives them a little financial boost.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 5:38 PM.
