SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Surfers of all ages came together at Old Man’s at San Onofre State Beach last weekend for “The Chuck,” the annual surf contest hosted by the San Onofre Surfing Club. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and family-friendly competition, the event drew crowds under warm skies, solid surf conditions, and an ideal south/southwest swell.
The all-day contest welcomed club members young and old, offering divisions for children and adults. With one of the region’s best longboard breaks on full display, surfers showcased their style and skill before an enthusiastic beachside audience.
In the Menehune Girls 10-and-Under division, Brooklyn Bannan claimed the top spot, followed by Kirra White in second and Bailey Clark in third. For the Menehune Boys 11-and-Under, Kaleb Clark took first place, with Hux Lake finishing second and Byron Heller third.
The Junior Women (11–18) category saw Peyton Choi take the win, with Rylinn Baker in second and Savannah Clark in third. In the Junior Men (12–17) bracket, Kai Esposito earned the top honor, ahead of Reed Zylstra in second and Finn Brodrick in third.
In the Women’s (19–49) division, Angie Winslow came out on top, with Karen Strong and Tiffany Lake rounding out the podium. For the Men’s (18–33) group, Lote Harvey secured first place, with Baron Banuelos and Casey Powell following in second and third. Banuelos was also recently honored as a recipient of the Dana Point Surf Club Scholarship.
Among the Master Women (50+), Krista Schofield took the win, with Katie Calkins in second and Kim DeSante in third. In the Master Men (34–48) category, Brendan White led the field, followed by RJ Hervey and Shea Roney.
For the Grand Master Men (49–59), Travis Zylstra earned first place, with Anthony Banuelos in second and Jim Wynne in third. In the Legend Men (60–68) division, Bobby Lombard came in first, while Steve Morgan and Scott French took second and third.
In the final division, Legend Master Men (69 and up), Charlie Zyvoloski claimed the top spot, with Pete Herrera in second and John Towers in third.
“The Chuck” continues to be a beloved tradition within the San Onofre surfing community, blending competition with camaraderie. Organizers extended thanks to club members, volunteers, and board members for their support in making the event a success once again.