Still Time to Sign Up for Grom Classic Surf Contest

Young surfers will take to Imperial Beach's waves Saturday for the 3rd Annual Katy's Endless Summer Grom Classic.

Groms from the Coronado Middle School surf team, along with teams from IB and Eastlake, are expected to compete.

Eight slots are still open for surfers in five categories ranging from 8 and under to 16 and under.

To sign up, call or visit Katy's Cafe on Seacoast Drive in IB.

The competition will take place a block south of the Palm Avenue jetty near the end of Dahlia Avenue and Seacoast Drive. The first heat begins around 7 a.m.

Surfing will be followed by a barbecue and awards ceremony.

As has become tradition, hand-made trophies by photographer and artist Greg Broadfoot will be given to winners.

Top point earners can win a customized Natural Selection surfboard and prizes from Reef, Oakley and DaKine, which will be revealed Saturday.

"I really don't know what were going to have. It's one big surprise," said Katy Fallon, owner of Katy's Cafe and founder of the free surf contest.

Holding the contest in September instead of October may make a real difference, she said. Warmer temperatures will allow contestants and the crowd to wear "board shorts, trunks and bikinis instead of UGG boots and hoodies."

A new sponsor this year is the Coronado Brewing Company, which joins businesses like TNT Surf, Surf Hut other newbies, Oakley, Vans, DaKine, Lost and Vitamin Water.