Longboards and Tall (Yellow)Tails

Then, in a theatrical grand finale, just before the official 12 pm deadline, everyone in the contest area was reminded of where boardfishing's roots lay. An unidentified contestant, seeing a set rolling in on the outside deftly moved himself into position and stroked his geared-out board into a heaving right-hander as it jacked up over Simmons Reef. The crowd on the beach roared as he hopelessly attempted to negotiate his way down the face, watching in horrified delight as the falling lip axed him in a spectacular, yard sale-self sacrifice.

With that the main event came to a close and the BBQ began as everyone present indulged in tacos, beers, and fish tales. The beach buzzed with fish stories old and new as competitors and spectators alike milled about, eating, drinking, and inspecting the day’s catch. In all, two whole coolers overflowed with an assortment of fish, and in the end Allen had to beg people to take some home to avoid wasting food.

Amidst the party atmosphere, Repashy held the second event of the contest known as the “Dash for Cash”. The rules for this one are simple; Allen fires off a blow horn and anyone who wants to compete grabs their boards and dashes into the ocean. The first person to get back to the beach with a fish that measures over 13 inches wins $500 cash.

This year the “Dash” was won by Kelly Watson, 34, from San Juan Capistrano. A little more than 10 minutes after the horn blew Watson raced into the beach and produced a 14-inch keeper from his backpack to take the prize. With the “Dash” over, fishing was finished for the day leaving spectators and contestants with nothing to do but, eat, drink, surf, or lounge in the sun.

As the afternoon wore on Repashy moved from group to group on the crowded beach socializing and thanking everyone for coming out. In a rare uninterrupted moment he stopped and looked around at what has become, over the years, a true communal gathering. “You just can’t get more Southern California than this,” he mused, “it just has that feel of a real old time day at the beach”. With that he was again on the go, laughing and spinning yarns of tournaments, waves and fish from days gone by, working happily to keep his guests entertained and a San Diego tradition alive.

For more pictures, articles, and information on the Annual Windansea Boardfishing Tournament go to: http://www.boardfishing.com or email Allen at Tourney17@boardfishing.com