5th Annual Kids for Clean Water Menehune Surf Fest Benefits From Spring Swell

PRESS RELEASE The Coronado Surfing Association’s 5th Annual Kids for Clean Water Menehune Surf Fest on April 26th was a great success. With more than 30 menehunes competing in the fun 2-4′ classic spring windswell at the Coronado Shores beach all for a good cause–keeping our coast and ocean clean and pristine. The surf offered a great mix of both left and right peaks that were perfect for new and experienced surfers. With a mix of groms from Coronado, Imperial Beach and around San Diego County, the event was also a good opportunity for many of the menehunes to gain their first foray into contest surfing in a fun and supportive environment. The Emerald City Boarding Source, the City of Coronado and WiLDCOAST sponsored the event. “This Kids for Clean Water contest is a great way for the Coronado Surfing Association (CSA) to have our next generation of surfers link surfing fun with promoting a clean and health ocean,” said John Gillem of the CSA who organizes the event each year. “The kids and adults have so much fun.” Over the past five years, the Kids for Clean Water has played a role in helping environmental organization WiLDCOAST build support for solutions to the U.S.-Mexico border beach closure crisis that impacts for Imperial Beach and Coronado. “Events like the Kids for Clean Water are focal points for our efforts to sustain a clean water team that helps to show that children are most impacted by polluted ocean water and that they are key to helping us find solutions,” said Serge Dedina, Executive Director of WiLDCOAST. “And it is a fun way of creating awareness among these young ocean advocates.” In addition to the fun surfing, in the Boys 11-13 and 14-17 divisions there was some fiercely competitive surfing going on. Daniel and Israel Dedina battled it out with Sven Karlsson for the top three slots in the shortboard and longboard divisions. In the longboard event Sven took top honors while Daniel placed first in shortboard in a very exciting final heat. In the Boys 14-17, Jack Alldredge, Tyler Smith, and Luke and Nate Hoffman surfed it out for top honors in the shortboard and longboard divisions. Jack, who had just finished up a successful ISF competitive season, placed first in both divisions followed by Tyler Smith. Vincent Claunch placed first in the Boys 10 and under division. The wahines were not to be outdone, showing great enthusiasm. D’Amy Steward took first in the 10 & under and Michaela Branscomb, Natalia Palmatier and Hannah Erbe Smith surfing it out in the Girls 11-13 division with Michaela taking top honors. RESULTS Girls 10 & Under 1 – D’Amy Steward 2 – Trudie Nixon 3 – Elliie Nixon 4 – Hana Granillo 5 – Kate Busbee Boys 10 & Under 1 – Vincent Claunch 2 – Ian Thorleifson 3 – Jonah Grube Girls 11-13 1 – Michaela Branscomb 2 – Natalia Palmatier 3 – Hannah Erbe Smith Boys 11-13 Shortboard 1 – Daniel Dedina 2 – Sven Karlsson 3 – Israel Dedina 4 – Jake Stutz 5 – Joe Fernandez 6 – Eric Thorleifson Boys 11-13 Longboard 1 – Sven Karlsson 2 – Israel Dedina 3 – Daniel Dedina 4 – Marshall Alldredge Boys 14-17 Shortboard 1 – Jack Alldredge 2 – Tyler Smith 3 – Luke Hoffman 4 – Nate Hoffman 5 – Johnny McCaull 6 – Darren Owen Boys 14-17 Longboard 1 – Jack Alldredge 2 – Tyler Smith 3 – Nate Hoffman 4 – Johnny McCaull 5 – Darren Owen