The El Porto Surf Contest returns to the sand on Saturday, January 31, with a renewed focus on local culture, neighborhood collaboration, and the people who make El Porto one of Southern California’s most popular surf breaks.
Now in its fifth year, the contest brings together Highland Avenue businesses, respected local shapers, returning champions, and a slate of invited Porto guests, reinforcing the event’s roots as a grassroots celebration of surf culture and all things El Porto.
"El Porto is the people’s surf break of LA County, and that’s what makes
our little town above the beach so different from the rest of Manhattan
Beach," Woodrow ‘Pack’ Landfair, owner of El Porto Surf Shop & Player’s Liquor and contest organizer, told MB News. "Because El Porto Beach has a surfable wave almost 365 days a
year, along with a public parking lot, it’s inclusive, diverse,
individualistic, and welcoming to everyone - even while remaining some
of the most valuable real estate in the country."
Event Will Highlight, Support Community
One of eight annual Surf Series events officiated by the South Bay Boardriders,
the El Porto Surf Contest remains intentionally local — built by the
neighborhood, for the neighborhood — showcasing not just performance in
the water, but the relationships, creativity, and shared identity that
surround it.
That local flavor begins with the contest's prize pool, which reflects a cross-section of El Porto’s local
economy — surf, food, wellness, hospitality, and culture — all
supporting the next generation of surfers.
Contest winners will receive prize packages contributed entirely by beachside businesses along Highland Avenue, including surf gear and provisions from El Porto Surf Shop & Player’s Liquor, brunch at Sloopy’s, margaritas at Pancho’s, dinner at Fishbar, drinks at OB’s, massage services from Sand Spa, a month of wash/dry service from El Porto Laundry, a sound bath experience at Round Willow Yoga, surfwear from Barlz, and a stay at the Sea View Inn.
“This contest has always been about El Porto supporting El Porto,” said Landfair. “Instead of outside
sponsors, the prizes come from the businesses we love and use on our way
to and from the beach. It keeps the event grounded in the neighborhood
and true to the place.”
El Porto neighborhood businesses will also raffle off goods and service
packages during the event, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the
Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation,
which supports adaptive surfing, surf therapy and ocean access for
individuals with physical challenges - all based out of El Porto Beach.
Invited
raffle contributors include: El Porto Surf Shop, Barlz Surf, Player’s
Liquor, Sloopy’s Beach Cafe, OB’s, Fishbar, Pancho’s, Sea View Inn,
Beach Pizza, Nick & Son’s, Round Willow Yoga, Sand Spa, El Porto
Laundry, Sol Seek Yoga, Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rental, Two Guns
Espresso, Human Landscapers, Jaunt Beauty, Jack Manjiro, Nawa Thai,
Offset Coffee, Manhattan Beach Hotel, Blackline Logo, Matt Pagan, Jose
Barahona, Ry Harris, Pat Lennon, Ken Pagliaro, Damian Fulton, Salty
Beards, City Pro App, Apreesh Apparel, Rip Curl, Sex Wax, Block Surf and
Sunuk (subject to availability).
Local Heroes To Make Appearances
The contest is known to draw high-level surfing talent. Past winners include pro surfers Kei
Kobayashi and Julian Williams, and two-time USA Surfing National
Champion Teagan Meza, all of whom have helped define the competitive and
creative spirit of the event.
(Kei Kobayashi)
Other notable past champions
include LA County Lifeguard Tom Seth, two-time winners London Meza and
Ross Russell (Pastor of Church on the Beach), and three-time
back-to-back micro-grom winner Riggins Smith.
This year's invited guests include well-known members of the Porto surf and cultural community whose presence reflects the collaborative spirit of the contest. Invitees include Erik Logan (former CEO of the World Surf League and El Porto surfer, writer, and former president of the Oprah Winfrey Network), Chas Smith (founder of BeachGrit, author, and journalist frequently covering El Porto), Hunter Jones (lifelong El Porto professional surfer and local fixture known for his positive energy and commitment to the beach community), Brick (founder of Ebony Beach Club and renowned DJ and El Porto surfer recognized for style, personality, and presence in the lineup), Chad Goes Deep (comedian and co-host of the surf and lifestyle podcast Going Deep with Chad & JT, and a regular at Pancho’s comedy night), Nathan Fluellen (founder of A Great Day in the Stoke, frequently seen in the Porto lineup), Mimi Miller (Gen X surf blogger and founder of She Surf, and a familiar face in the Porto parking lot and lineup), John West (surf influencer and founder of the City Pro App, connecting surfers with videographers, often recognized surfing Porto, Chris Papaleo (El Porto local known for surf culture storytelling and community presence), Wagner Deabreu (El Porto and Brazil–based surf coach and founder of Blackline Logo), and Brad Jacobson (South Bay surf videographer and YouTuber documenting El Porto surfers, sessions, and community-driven surf culture).
Invited artists include Damian Fulton (Los Angeles–based “urban surf” artist known for iconic El Porto imagery, Ken Pagliaro (photographer documenting El Porto surf culture and community), and Pat Lennon (El Porto surfer, woodworker, and musician specializing in one-of-a-kind miniature and full-size decorative wooden surfboards).
Honoring El Porto’s board-building heritage, the contest is also supported by invited local shapers whose work reflects the hands-on craftsmanship that has long defined the area, including
Ry Harris (an El Porto–based surfer and shaper pioneering environmentally sustainable surfboards made from recycled and upcycled materials),
Jose Barahona (a respected shaper with boards regularly seen at El Porto, known for experimentation and deep understanding of South Bay waves), and
Matt Pagan (an El Porto–based surfer and shaper recognized for functional, wave-driven designs and top-notch surf coaching).
Select guest conversations will be recorded and livestreamed during the event.
El Porto Seeks To Maintain Unique Identity
El Porto neighbors
have long sought to preserve the neighborhood's unique identity, and to
maintain its individuality apart from the "North Manhattan Beach" moniker.
The neighborhood, located between 38th and 45th Street, was an unincorporated area until it was annexed from Los Angeles County by Manhattan Beach in 1980.
"I
think what people want to preserve about El Porto is that openness and
authenticity — a place that’s still rooted in real surf culture and
community, where everyone feels welcome, rather than being rebranded
into something more yuppie, polished, or exclusive," said Landfair. "It also helps
differentiate El Porto from the great establishments at the Manhattan
Beach Pier, which can sometimes be confusing for visitors."
Landfair continued: "In
2025 alone, [El Porto Surf Shop] rented equipment to surfers from over 90 countries and
all 50 states, as well as from all over LA. Those visitors, along with
our neighbors, are who our local restaurants, hotels and businesses
serve and celebrate."
(Kei Kobayashi)