Tim Burdiak, front, and Tyler Morgan, power through waves during the Ocean Festival dory boat competition in the San Clemente on Saturday, July 15, 2017. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
By LAYLAN CONNELLY | [email protected] | Orange County Register
The 300-pound boat was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
A wave smacked the heavy vessel, tossing Renae Jackson and Madison Feldman into the sea, as wave after wave made it challenging for the duo to flip their heavy boat back over. Down the beach, as the crowd on the sand cheered, another pair of lifeguards struggled to get passed the crashing waves next to the wooden pier.
The competitions during this year’s Ocean Festival – dubbed “The Greatest Show on Surf” – didn’t disappoint on the first day Saturday, as waves in the 2-4 foot range made for a challenging obstacle course for racers who showed up from as far as Australia to battle it out in San Clemente.
“It was fun, we finished and that’s our goal,” said Jackson, a lifeguard with Huntington State Beach, after crossing the finish line for the dory race. “To have a good race, row as hard as you can, just finish and do our best.”
Crowds filled the sand through the afternoon, stopping to take photos with “King Neptune” and mermaids, marveling at the old Woodie cars lining the pier, checking out the booths giving away prizes and chowing down on a pancake breakfast and other treats.
The two-day event is filled with ocean activities, including ocean relays, SUP races, bodysurfing lessons, a childrens’ surf contest and a fishing clinic on the pier. Sunday’s events include a rubber-duck race, a costume parade, a sandcastle-building contest and a one-mile swim.