Cue The Surfaris' "Wipe Out."
The city's first surfing competition is set for Saturday morning, June 2, on Lake Chickamauga near Erwin Marine Sales on Kings Point Road. Competitors will try to hang 10 while riding waves created by a Heyday WT-Surf boat.
"The Heyday wake boat makes a very big, waist-high wave. It's very long so it has a lot of play ground," says Michael Porter of Erwin Marine Sales, who is coordinating this inaugural surf contest.
The purpose of the contest is to introduce the new sport to local water enthusiasts. For that reason, the contest is open to only beginners and intermediates. Those who have a board may bring it; those who don't can use one of Erwin's at no charge.
The competition will begin between 9 and 10 a.m. Competitors will be divided into beginner and intermediates in age brackets of 16 and younger for youth, 17 and older for adults. Judges will score the competitors on a point scale of one to 10 in three categories: style, technical tricks and stand-up-run (landing tricks).
A Phase 5 wake surf board will be presented the winner in each age division by pro surfer Drew Danielo.
"This competition is for anyone interested in surfing. Anyone who can get up on a board behind a boat can be part of this competition," says Jessica Arnold, Erwin Marine Sales marketing coordinator.
Anyone wanting to compete should register at docklinenews.com/surf.
Contact Suan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com