Swami’s Surfing Competition Part 2
Longboard, shortboard, regular, goofy- Swami's doesn't discriminate.
Another beautiful, late-afternoon surfing session in Southern California.
Mid-week local crowd at Swami's in Encinitas, CA
Contest Director of the Roxy Pro, and Encinitas local, Linda Benson pulled her proposal for an events permit at Swami’s after conversation with the Self-Realization Fellowship in the Meditation Gardens on Tuesday. Linda sought to relocate the Women’s World Longboard Championship from Biarittz, France to the United States in October of 2010. The contest would be held in her hometown of Encinitas, CA at the surf break known as Swami’s.
It’s not because the event would harm or damage the surf break, because it wouldn’t. Linda Benson
Linda proposed the surfing contest to the Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission on Jan. 17 followed by a nod of approval from the Encinitas City Council to seek a city special events permit. Shortly thereafter, Linda released a statement, announcing her decision to pull the proposition. Linda explained, “My decision is not because of the opposition. It is not because the logistics are challenging -- the logistics are very manageable for what our small venue demands. It’s not because Swami’s Point is a crown jewel that is undiscovered. Believe me, it’s discovered, and often the atmosphere there is not harmonious. It’s not because the event would harm or damage the surf break, because it wouldn’t.” Benson continued, “My sole reason for this decision is to keep the Self-Realization Fellowship safe from any future jeopardy. I do not want to risk the future serenity of the Self-Realization Fellowship by others who might take advantage of the precedent set by my contest.”
Benson added that she hoped her decision would forever close the door to any events at Swami’s Park. Linda faced resistance throughout the process of obtaining a permit from the city. Parking, accessibility and crowd control were major concerns of both city officials and local surfers. For locals, it would also mean biting their teeth, and sharing their wave with the World Longboard Championship for four days. Brother Anilananda of Self-Realization Fellowship remarked, “Self-Realization Fellowship thanks Linda Benson for her thoughtful, generous decision. For more than 70 years the Fellowship has been committed to maintaining the serenity of these grounds for all who come from around the world. When ‘the most admirable applicant in the universe’ with a ‘clear green light from the City’ (according to recent press coverage), makes the decision not to hold an event at Swamis, she has ensured the peace and serenity of the Fellowship grounds and also of Swami’s Park for all who come in the future.”
The relocation of the Roxy Pro from France to San Diego (California) would have allowed cheaper traveling expenses for a generous portion of the professional surfers on tour, and a world class wave to all. Currently, the Women’s Longboard Qualifying (LQS) includes; four Southern California Venues, three in Australia, Spain, Costa Rica, Japan, Hawai’i, and Argentina. Linda is currently evaluating other options for the 2010 Women’s World Longboarding Championships.
About Surfer Linda Benson:
Linda Benson began competing professionally in 1959 when she entered the International Championship in Makaha, Hawai’i- which she won. And she was the youngest surfer to do so, at only 15-years old. Born in Encinitas, CA, Linda’s career exceeds the dreams of today’s top surfers; She won the championship title for 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964 and 1968.
