Retro Surf Contest Featuring Free Concert And Guests Returns To Salt Creek

IRVINE (CBS) — California's classic, counterculture surf contest returns to Salt Creek this month as Billabong hosts the 12th Annual Cosmic Creek Surf Contest presented by Subaru, October 29th & 30th.

Hardly just another surf contest, Cosmic Creek is a family-friendly event centered around a retro-style surf contest, culminating in a free Donavon Frankenreiter concert on the lawn at Salt Creek with special guest Band of Frequencies and Dave Rastovich.

As always, the contest harkens back to more alternative and inventive times and embraces the surfboards and styles of the 1970's & 80's. Cosmic is a salute to an era where single-fins and twinnies reigned supreme and the best surfers in the world proudly sported shorts with two-inch inseams and hair more feathered than Farrah Fawcett.

Tapping into one of the most complete vintage surfboard collections known, competitors are assigned, through the luck of the draw, a classic board they must ride in each heat. With everything from Ben Aipa stingers to MR twin fins on offer, what these throwback boards may lack in current-day performance, they make up for in style and inspiration.

Dressing the part also makes for a good show at Cosmic Creek, from beavertail wetsuits to tiny neon boardshorts, competitors get into character as they do battle at the point.

The event attracts local heroes, former pros, industry execs and a few of today's top-rung surfers such as Dave Rastovich, Tyler Warren, Chris Del Moro, Rob Machado, and Tom Curren who have made their mark riding the most unusual and forgotten surfboard shapes of decades past.

The contest, open to the public, runs 8 am-3 pm Saturday, October 29th and 8 am-2 pm Sunday, October 30th. To enter the event, download an entry form at billabong.com/cosmiccreek , and turn in signed entry forms with payment to Hobie Dana Point or Killer Dana surf shops. For entry questions call (949) 489-8380.

Immediately following the Cosmic Creek awards ceremony, Donavon Frankenreiter, free-surfing legend turned mainstream musical success, will host a free concert on the lawn, adjacent to the contest.

Set in the natural amphitheater that is Salt Creek Park and running from 4 pm to dusk, the setting encourages attendees to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy Donavon's soulful tunes while the sun sets over the ocean.