For months now the drumbeat of news about a Super El Niño have been increasing in frequency and intensity. If the run of recent storms in the Pacific are any indicator, this isn’t just hype. While I doubt any of us are in love with the idea of extreme floods, many are looking forward to what could potentially be the North Pacific’s best winter of recent memory. Maybe even all time.
There may not be much you can do about the weather but, one thing you can do, is buy a gun.
You know, a Super El Niño Big Wave Gun.
If you’re in doubt about the specifics of such a weapon than you’d be well off going to check out this year’s Boardroom Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds this weekend, Oct 10-11. You can grab tickets at the door or online here.
Best in Show Board Build-Off: Super El Niño Big Wave Gun
This year’s Best in Show Board Build-Off, presented by REAL Watersports, has a theme that fits the winter ahead: the Super El Niño Big Wave Gun. The contest is free to enter, open to any board builder worldwide, and the winner takes home $5,000 cash.
The brief is simple. Build a big wave gun, whatever that means to you. It could be designed for Blacks, Todos, Rincon, Jaws, Nazaré, Swamis, or Ocean Beach. Judges want to see design concepts that push big wave surfing forward during a Super El Niño winter.
How to enter
- Email info@surfboardshow.com to announce your participation.
- Build your board.
- On Friday, October 9, at 11 a.m., bring three things: your Best in Show entry, a vertical surfboard stand, and a 3.5″ x 5″ proof-of-concept write-up explaining your board and build process to the judges.
- Your board will be on display at The Boardroom Surfboard Show on October 10 and 11.
- The winning board and builder will be announced Sunday, October 11, at 3 p.m
How it’s judged
Scoring mixes votes from expert board builders, the public, and exhibitors. Boards will be judged on functionality, creative and forward-thinking design, and construction quality. Function comes first, but craftsmanship gets scrutinized from nose to tail, including shape, lamination, artwork, sanding, and finish. It’s not an art contest, though world-class artwork will help, just as world-class lamination and other thoughtful design details will.
Prizes
First place gets $5,000 cash and a complimentary 10′ x 10′ booth at the 2027 Boardroom Surfboard Show presented by US Blanks, a $6,000 value in cash and prizes. Second place gets a complimentary booth at the 2027 show, a $1,000 value.