SANTA CRUZ — When a hundred or so surfers haul out their big, heavy '60s longboards this weekend, they'll be surfing down memory lane on vehicles long relegated to the halls of nostalgia.

By Gwen Mickelson

Sentinel staff writer

SANTA CRUZ — When a hundred or so surfers haul out their big, heavy '60s longboards this weekend, they'll be surfing down memory lane on vehicles long relegated to the halls of nostalgia.

But more than that, they'll be remembering a fallen icon of the surf community and lending a helping hand to the loved ones he left behind.

The Big Stick Surfing Association Logjam will be Saturday and Sunday along Pleasure Point. Boards must be pre-1970 and weigh more than 20 pounds. No leashes are allowed.

The event's roots were planted with another old-board, no-cord surf contest started in Santa Cruz nearly two decades ago. The Logjam became its own event in 2000 and is one of the longest-running classic longboard surfing contests in the world, according to organizers.

The Logjam is interesting because it gets people out of their comfort zone and onto retro longboards, said local pro Ashley Lloyd.

"A lot of what's neat is the weight to them and just the nostalgia that you feel on them," said Lloyd of the old boards, known as "logs" She grew up surfing the classic Southern California longboard spot Malibu. "To me, when I get on one of those boards, that's where my heart is. That feels like home to me"

The event is popular with surfers because of its format that gives all contestants the chance to surf twice on the first day, unlike many surf contests where competitors can get knocked out after their first heat, said contest director Tom Radich.

For spectators, "there's just something about watching people surf on the older, heavy boards because it's a much more flowing style of surfing, where trim and glide become much more important than big, athletic moves," Radich said.

For some surfers, the contest is an excuse to get out on the beach, check out classic boards and see old friends.

"I just think the main thing is it gives an opportunity for surfers to get together in a sport they love, surfing," said competitor Bob Pearson, owner of Pearson Arrow Surfboards.

Competitors trying to maneuver their heavy old tanks may face some challenges with the large northwest swell expected for the weekend. Surf site Wetsand forecasts head-high waves, which should make things interesting, Pearson said.

"Damn near everyone who rides these boards doesn't like big waves," he chuckled.

But director Radich thinks bigger waves could give him an edge.

"Size will be helpful to me — it will give me little advantage because I'm not afraid to drop in on something that's got some juice behind it," Radich said.

The event, a benefit for Ride-A-Wave Foundation, the Big Stick Scholarship Fund, the Junior Lifeguards and the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, will also be a fundraiser for the family of the late Mike Locatelli, the immensely well-liked surfer who died earlier this year at 46 after a 15-year battle with multiple brain tumors. The medical expenses resulting from his illness were a difficult financial burden for the family, and friends and community members have organized several benefit events to help Locatelli's widow and daughter.

Locatelli "was such a respected member of the community," said Gioni Pasquinelli, Big Stick president, as he suited up to practice on an old board at Pleasure Point Tuesday afternoon. "He helped out us in the past, as well as Ride-A-Wave. Just about everyone knew him, it seems like"

Locatelli was a longtime employee of O'Neill, which sponsors the Logjam every year, Pasquinelli said.

Local board manufacturer Surftech has donated a 10-foot Johnny Rice wood veneer model for raffle and put it on display at O'Neill Surf Shop on 41st Avenue through Friday. Several other boards will also be raffled off at the event, including creations from local shapers Pearson, Ward Coffey, Dave Vernor and John Mel.

A club contest, the event will include about 100 surfers from up to eight surf clubs up and down the California coast, with male and female competitors from 14-64 coming from as far south as San Diego and as far north as Mendocino. Pro surfers such as local longboarding phenom CJ Nelson and national longboarding champ Josh Mohr are expected to attend, dust off some flower-power boards and wow the crowds with classic old moves such as drop-knee turns, soul arches and long noserides.

For Lloyd, part of the appeal of the event is paddling out on a surprise loaner board.

"It's rare that I know what I'm going to ride before I surf the contest," Lloyd said with a laugh.

The Logjam will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 36th Avenue, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at first peak, both in Pleasure Point.

For information, visit www.bigsticksurfing.org

Contact Gwen Mickelson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .