‘As good as it gets’

Photographer Mark Gibbs uses a ladder for a better view of South Beach during the Noll Longboard Classic. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

And any first-time Classic visitors would not have felt lonely.

Hundreds of spectators and participants enjoyed sunshine and great surf conditions on South Beach.

While Sunday’s waves dropped off a bit, Saturday’s conditions put a non-stop smile on the face of Rhyn Noll, co-owner of Noll Surf and Skate shop.

“Today is as good as Crescent City gets. It’s a dream come true. It’s just got good shape, there’s plenty of waves — I’d say the swell is head-high,” he said, pointing toward the surf directly in front of the announcer’s booth.

Tendai Muchabayu, 5, of Eugene, Ore., plays on the beach while a surfer competes on Saturday. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

While exact numbers were un­available Monday, contest organizers feel that the lower attendance wasn’t significant.

“We didn’t have as many people as last year,” said Noll Classic publicist Caitlin Knox. “But every year is up and down.”

Considering that this year’s Classic was blessed with great waves and plenty of sun, the people who missed it will most likely be back.

“It’s a family reunion, not only with the immediate family,” she said, pointing toward Rhyn Noll and one of her grandchildren, “but also with the extended family,” she added, gesturing out toward the people and surfboards strewn along South Beach.

“They are all part of one big ‘“ohana,”’ she said, adding that the term means an extended sense of family in Hawaiian culture.

“We’ve seen babies grow up here, now we have them carrying babies,” she said.

Organizers work at the announcer’s booth. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

“You see people you haven’t seen in a year; it’s a really good event, it’s really family oriented,” he said.

His daughter agreed.

“It’s a lot of fun ... you see a lot of people return,” said Delia Kang.

Among the first-time participants were Bill Brick and Madison Clell from San Francisco.

“This is not only our first-ever contest, but it’s also our first time on longboards,” said Brick. “We wanted to see the redwoods too. We love it here; it might become an annual deal for us.”

“All the people we met were really nice,” Brick added.

Desirae Chacon is buried in the sand by her sister Danae during the surf contest on Saturday afternoon. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Mayor Kelly Schellong wasn’t surprised that Clell and Brick were enjoying themselves.

“It’s been beautiful out there — it couldn’t be much better,” said Schellong, who has recorded participants’ names for the past seven years, and refers to her position as “pit boss.”

Schellong also noted that “not as many surfers have been here; it’s something to do with the economy.”

“But we have a lot of families that have been coming all 14 years, from Washington, Oregon, and Southern California, we even have some judges from Hawaii,” she said.

This may be why, foul weather or fair, so many people keep returning to Crescent City every October. It’s definitely the locals’ reason — they get to surf here all year.

“For me it’s like the best of the best come together for this event,” said Rhyn Noll. “But it’s not to see who’s the best — it’s to get together and see each other before winter sets in.”

Staff writer Kurt Madar contributed to this report.