By Ethan Butterfield
I&M Sports Editor
Cisco Beach was a mob scene Sunday as the Second Annual Ozone Surf Classic drew nearly 1,000 surfers and spectators to the water's edge.
The event was held for the first time ever last year in memory of avid island surfer David “Ozone” Ozias. Ozias died in June of 2001. All proceeds from Sunday's event go to benefit the Boys & Girls Club. While the total earned is still being tallied, event organizer John Jordan thought this year's take would be around $15,000. Last year the event brought in more money, but Jordan saw a few big sponsors drop out.
“I think it's a reflection of the market,” he said. “People are a little bit more wary about handing money over.”
Though the crowd was large, the waves were minimal. Several surfers who had signed up chose not to compete. But for the most part those who signed up did compete, and had a good time in the process.
“It was really fun,” said Caren Oberg, Women's Open division winner. “So many people. It's celebrating David's day.”
Men's Shortboard winner Bill Bartleman has competed internationally, and likes the way the Ozone Surf Classic is run.
“I've surfed all around the world,” Bartleman said. “And probably in a couple hundred contests since I was 10-years-old, and they run one as classy and as well run as I've ever seen. Professional or amateur, they're doing a good job. One time it's just going to get lucky and they'll get the waves.”
Oberg, who also won the Women's Open division last year, had a simple strategy.
“You get the most you can,” she said. “But you try and do the best on them.”
Diana Palm finished second in the Women's Open, while Kate Fitzpatrick took third.
Bartleman, a member of the United States National Surf team for two years in the early 1990s, and who later surfed professionally for two years, has been coming to Nantucket for six summers. Last year Bartleman won the Men's Short Board, and he returned this year and defended his title. Bartleman had a serious game plan on Sunday.
“What I did in each heat – cause what they do they take your three best waves out of a possible ten – was to go out and get three under my belt right away, even if they were smaller ones,” Bartleman said. “And then I paddled farther out and waited for the set waves. Most of my scores were better later in the heat than early in the heat, cause I wanted to make sure I got those three.”
Bartleman is also accustomed to the smaller waves.
“I grew up in Florida,” he said. “So I can ride little waves. That's why I didn't mind.”
Phil Osley finished second behind Bartleman, and Ryan Briard took third in Men's Shortboard.
The Masters (longboard) division went to Rick Kotalac, with Ben Murphy taking second and Michael Gaillard finishing third. Gary Kohner of Nantucket Island Surf School took Men's Longboard, with Matt Hill in second and Bob Walter in third. In the Boy's Shortboard (ages 8-12) Daniel Woodruff came out on top, followed by John Whelden and Ryan Webb. Ripley Nielsen took Boy's Lonboard (8-12), followed by Jackie Clopeck and Will Geary tied for second, and Chris Geary in fourth. Boy's Longboard (12-16) also went to Daniel Woodruff, followed by Ry Murphy and Charlie Tashjian. Ted Cahill took Boy's Shortboard (12-16), followed by Ry Murphy and Charlie Tashjian. Katherine Ayd won Girl's Shortboard, followed by sister Lizzy Ayd and Olivia Farrell. Alex Kennedy won Girl's Longboard, followed by Lizzy and Katherine Ayd.
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