The waves were pumping last week, no doubt about it. Even so, plenty of San Clemente surfers and surfboard collectors made their way down to Del Mar over the weekend, sacrificing two days of steady waves for the chance to see Bob McTavish judge this year’s “Icons of Foam,” the famed shape-off competition.
The idea of the shape-off is simple: eight shapers compete 1-on-1 (in separate shaping bays, with clear walls for everyone’s viewing pleasure). Each shaper recreates some of McTavish’s iconic designs from history.
This year’s competitors came from all over California, and all over the world, with the list of participants including defending champion Michael Arenal from Ventura, Jordan Brazie from Virginia Beach, Ryan Burch from Encinitas, Kris Hall from South Bay, Josh Hall from San Diego, Axel Lorentz from France, Grant Noble from Costa Mesa, and Moon from South Korea…