The Gudauskas Brothers host third annual Stoke-o-Rama 

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Kai McPhillips in one of his heats at the Stoke-o-Rama on Sunday, Sept. 21 at T Street. Photo: JoniePHOTO

By Andrea Swayne

Getting 110 surf crazed groms even more stoked on their sport is a tall order. And that’s just what the Gudauskas brothers delivered, once again, at their third annual Stoke-o-Rama surf contest on Sunday, Sept. 21 at T Street in San Clemente.

Giving back to the hometown that gave professional surfers Dane, Patrick and Tanner Gudauskas so much growing up, has become a passion of the talented trio, and what better way to accomplish it than through the sport they love.

The Stoke-o-Rama is all about bringing families to the beach together to enjoy friendly competition while raising funds for co-hosts, the Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation, and their efforts to support other recreational programs for local youth, Patrick said.

“Everybody wins,” he said.

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Erika Hunting, winner of the Girls U14 division at the Stoke-o-Rama on Sunday, gets ready to paddle out for her heat. Photo: JoniePHOTO

It’s a safe bet that even the young rippers who didn’t take home this year’s trophy, a kendama (a toy now all the rage among the young surf set), felt like winners too. An important part of the event is bringing other pros to the beach to visit with and inspire the competitors. The kids had the chance to mingle with the pros, such as world champion surfers Kelly Slater and Sunny Garcia, along with the Gudauskas brothers.

Entry into the event is free, thanks to the Gudauskas’ donation of $25 per entrant. For the past two years, entries have been capped at 100 but this year, due to popular demand, the brothers decided to open up 10 additional spots.

“It’s awesome to see the kids of San Clemente coming up through surfing with friends and having fun. The best part is seeing their interaction and friendships on the beach,” Tanner said. “It definitely reminds me of when we were young. The stoke remains the same.”

The event raised $12,000 for the Friends organization via sponsorship, donations and raffles, a number up from last year’s $10,500. The organization uses the money to provide scholarships into programs such as Junior Lifeguards for children whose families would otherwise not be able to afford it.

“When you can get the entire community involved in an event like this, it’s pretty special,” Dane said. “Every year is better than the last.”

EDITORS NOTE: For an extensive slideshow of photos—including water photography—log on to www.joniephoto.com/stoke. All proceeds from Stoke-o-Rama photo sales will be donated to the Friends of San Clemente Beaches Parks and Recreation, courtesy of the San Clemente Times and JoniePHOTO.com.

RESULTS:

BOYS U14:

  1. Ethan Mudge
  2. Bryce Crane
  3. Crosby Colapinto
  4. Curran Dand
  5. Jarik Fink
  6. Gus Day
  7. Noah Hohenester

GIRLS U14:

  1. Erika Hunting
  2. Saige Reale
  3. Claire Herritt
  4. Megan Mills
  5. Reese Hartnett
    =6. Sierra Downer
    =6. Rachel Hartnett

BOYS U12:

  1. Taj Lindblad
  2. Gavin Wilchek
  3. Kai McPhillips
  4. Wyatt Wilson
  5. Jim Wynne
  6. Hayden Millerick

BOYS U10:

  1. Myles Biggs
  2. Brayden Burch
  3. Bane Corbett
  4. Conan Craig
  5. Carson Kropfl
  6. Jack Crane

BOYS/GIRLS U10:

  1. Kai Finn (with a perfect 10)
  2. Kingston Watts
  3. Dylan Young
  4. Kieran McCarthy
  5. Ben Brantell
  6. Hanna Johnson