Event Guide
JULY 19-20, 2025
Dear Ocean Fest Ohana,
CLEMENTE OCEAN
FESTIVAL!
Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong festival fan, I hope this weekend brings back cherished moments and creates new ones you’ll hold onto for years to come.
My name is Summer Strauch, and I’m honored (and totally stoked) to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of this beloved, wave-washed tradition. I grew up on the beach spending endless days in the sun, watching surf contests and feeling the magic of coastal life seep into everything I did. Like so many of you, I’ve learned the memories made here don’t fade with the tide—they stay with you for life.
For nearly five decades, “The Greatest Show on Surf” has been woven into San Clemente’s story. It’s where families
return for beachside fun and friendly competition summer after summer and where salty-haired kids grow up to become lifeguards and lifelong ocean stewards. It’s here where a single weekend becomes a lifelong memory. This the real magic of Ocean Fest: It lives on long after the sand has settled.
Whether you’re volunteering, competing, cheering or simply enjoying the views, we’re so glad you are a part of the Ocean Festival’s treasured story.
Here’s to sunshine, shoreline and 47 years of celebrating life by the sea. Sea you on the sand and surf!
Summer Strauch Executive Director San Clemente Ocean Festival 2025
ARE YOU THE ULTIMATE OCEAN FESTIVAL FAN?
Test your ‘Greatest Show’ on Surf knowledge!
NO. 1: WHAT’S THE NAME OF THE KIDS-ONLY FUN RUN?
a. Groms Gallop
b. Dolphin Dash
c. Seahorse Sprint
NO. 2: WHO COINED THE ICONIC TAGLINE “THE GREATEST SHOW ON SURF”?
a. Dorothy Fuller
b. Ole Hanson
c. Gloria Swanson
NO. 3: WHEN DID THE FIRST OCEAN FESTIVAL TAKE PLACE?
1981
1928 c. 1976
NO. 4: HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND THE FESTIVAL EACH YEAR?
a. 30,000
b. 50,000
c. 40,000
Answers: 1. (b); 2. (a); 3. (c); 4. (b)
No. 1) On Saturday morning, the Dolphin Dash welcomes nearly 150 competitors ages 4-12 for a beachside race rooted in good sportsmanship and fun. No. 2) Publicist Dorothy Fuller, also known as The Mother of the Ocean Festival, crafted the festival’s now-iconic slogan and trademarked the King Neptune logo. She’s joined on this list by fellow local wave-makers, including the City of San Clemente’s founder, Ole Hanson, and one of its most famous residents, the silent film star, Gloria Swanson. No. 3) It was 1976 when Sheridan Byerly, a San Clemente Marine Safety captain, started a local lifeguard competition to boost attendance at the Orange County Beach Games. Other notable years in San Clemente history include the city’s founding in 1928 and 1981, when Fuller established the event’s unforgettable identity as “The Greatest Show on Surf.” No. 4) What began
as a small, summertime event drawing locals for lifeguard games now welcomes nearly 50,000 spectators and participants each year. The festival for ocean enthusiasts of all ages draws attendees from across Southern California and even as far away as Australia.
Did you also know the Law Enforcement Torch Run® coincided with the 2015 SC Ocean Festival?
Ten years ago, the “Guardians of the Flame” carried the blazing symbol of inclusion, courage, diversity and the unifying power of sport through San Clemente. Lit in Greece, the Flame of Hope traversed the Atlantic and the continental U.S. before arriving in Southern California and heading up the coast for the Special Olympics World Summer Games at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
–Andrea Papagianis-Camacho
Summer Strauch
30 SUMMERS OF SERVICE
Thirty-one summers ago, Peggy Vance’s family rolled into San Clemente. In those early days, Vance knew few in town, but a curious inquiry placed with a San Clemente Ocean Festival volunteer selling T-shirts on Avenida Del Mar changed that quickly. That one conversation would set Vance on a three-decades-long journey shaping one of the most treasured local traditions.
From recruiting volunteers to stuffing goody bags, hosting meetings, participating in athletic events, running booths and welcoming thousands to the Pier each July, Vance and her family have done it all. She stepped down as Executive Director after last year’s event but stayed on as an advisor. We caught up with Vance to reflect on a remarkable 24-year-run at the Ocean Festival’s helm and what’s ahead.
SCT: What’s kept you serving the Ocean Festival all these years?
PV: Love for the event, respect for our lifeguards and my San Clemente family. As the years have gone on, my family has grown. I’ve had sponsors who have become friends and friends who have become board members, so it’s like a giant reunion each year. My own family’s involvement, too! We now have three generations involved in the event.
SCT: Can you share some favorite memories from over the years?
PV: We have celebrated milestones, welcomed and cheered on athletes of all levels, worked alongside our amazing llifeguards, volunteers and city staff, endured hardships and shared some amazing triumphs, while creating lifelong memories! We have hosted flybys, a LCAC beach landing, spe-
cial birthday celebrations, a gender reveal, marriage proposal, Swim for Hope and so much more.
But I always look for that one thing, like when an athlete struggles to get to the finish line and is cheered on and celebrated by other athletes, smiles on Groms’ faces when they catch a great wave or someone sharing a favorite moment about their experience. Those things make it special to me.
SCT: What are you most proud of from your time as Executive Director?
PV: This is a large event, but it’s built out of love and commitment to our mission statement to promote and support ocean safety, the environment and the community by providing a quality athletic venue and enjoyable family event. Through the years, we haven’t lost track of who we are and what we support.
SCT: What are you most excited about for the Ocean Festival’s future?
PV: Continued success and traditions! We also have a big anniversary coming up. Our 50th anniversary is the same year as the city’s 100th and the 2028 Summer Olympics coming to town.
While Vance may no longer be running the show, she’ll always be part of the Ocean Festival family.
“I look forward to coming back as a spectator and enjoying all the different activities with my children, grandchildren and our friends,” Vance said. “Who knows, maybe I’ll finally get a chance to eat a delicious pancake breakfast prepared by our lifeguards.”
Peggy Vance reflects on her time leading “The Greatest Show on Surf”
(L to R) Peggy Vance, Chantall, Stephanie, Savana and Chris Vance volunteer ahead of the 2024 festival. Photo: Courtesy of PeggyVance
TSPIRIT
OF THE SURF
e San Clemente Ocean Festival is a summer staple blending high-octane athletic competition with family-friendly fun. Behind the beach races, sand sculpting contest and lifeguard challenges lies a much less visible, but equally impressive feat. It’s the coordinated efforts of more than 200 volunteers who bring each event to life.
“We have one employee,” said Beth Apodaca, San Clemente Ocean Festival president. “Everything else is volunteer-driven.”
Dedicated volunteers touch every aspect of the annual event, from logistics to merchandise and rubber duck sales, medal distribution, registration, athlete refreshments, and craft stations. Apodaca has done it all, and she, like many others, returns year after year to put on “The Greatest Show on Surf.”
“There are so many of us that have been involved forever and would never even think of not being involved in it,” Apodaca said.
Among longtime volunteers is Steffanie Griffith, founder and organizer of the Dolphin Dash. She and husband Griff Griffith, both once avid runners, created the beachside kids’ run as a way to encourage the festival’s youngest attend-
GEAR UP FOR GOOD
As thousands descend on local sands for the 47th annual San Clemente Ocean Festival, organizers encourage competitors and fans alike to take home more than memories. Official festival merchandise, including commemorative T-shirts and hats, will be on sale throughout the weekend-long event.
This limited-edition gear supports the heart of “The Greatest Show on Surf” — the local community.
ees to embrace active, healthy lifestyles while having a bit of fun.
The event quickly became a family tradition for Griffith’s family and many others. This year, attendees can once again find Steffanie and Griff Griffith along with their friends and family on the sand Saturday morning for the 14th annual Dolphin Dash.
Griffith never expected to still be organizing the race more than a decade later, but the day-of joy has made all the work worthwhile.
“What gets us every time is that day of the event,” Steffanie said. “Seeing all these happy kids being active and choosing to do things that maybe aren’t easy, but they enjoy them and have fun doing them. It’s incredible.”
It’s that sense of joy, the achievements and the spirit of teamwork that define the Ocean Festival.
For many volunteers, the Ocean Festival is a labor of love. They show up, year after year with recruited family and friends to create and share lasting memories on the sand.
“You see all these generations get together, and it’s really a great thing to see,” Apodaca added. “It’s just an exciting time. We all enjoy it. We all look forward to it.”
Over the years, funds raised from festival merchandise sales and sponsorships have supported junior lifeguard and marine education programming, provided sand wheelchairs to improve beach accessibility and funded scholarships for local students. These sales also help sustain the Ocean Festival, ensuring it lives on as a volunteer-powered tradition for future generations.
Get your San Clemente Ocean Festival swag on the sand or at oceanfestival.org
The community force behind four decades of summer tradition
Longtime volunteers (from left) Mike Burke, Mitch Ritschel and Beth Apodaca. Photo: Courtesy of PeggyVance
Featured Booths & Vendors
25. Sponsor: Triton Air & Plumbing 26. Main Stage 26A. Awards 27. Sound Booth 28. Registration: ‘Groms Rule’ 29. Pancake Breakfast & Tickets/ C.E.R.T. (Sat afternoon) Lifeguard Association (Sun afternoon)
30. Sponsor: Capistrano Volkswagen
31. OC Oil Recycling (Sat)/ Sponsor: OCTA Metrolink (Sun) 32. SCOF Shuttle Bus Stop
Free Speech Area
Ocean Art Show
Schedule of Events
CITY LIFEGUARD PANCAKE BREAKFAST
7:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: North of Pier near Marine Safety
14TH
ANNUAL DOLPHIN DASH KIDS BEACH RUN: AGES 12 AND UNDER
Location: Youth Pavilion South of Pier
7:30 am – 8:45 am Registration/Check-In
9:00 am 1⁄2 mile run for Ages 4-6
9:20 am 3⁄4 mile run for Ages 7-9
9:40 am 1 mile run for Ages 10-12
LIFEGUARD COMPETITIONS
Location: Main Competition Area North of Pier
7:45 am Event #1 Jr. Lifeguard Beach Flags
8:45 am Event #2 Jr. Lifeguard Surf Race
9:00 am Surf Race (Women + Men)
9:30 am Event #3 Rescue Relay (Women, Men + Combo)
10:15 am Event #4 Surf Ski Race Lifeguard spec (Women + Men)
10:45 am Event #5 National Doryman’s Association NDA Race #1
11:30 am Event #6 International Ironman / Woman (Women + Men)
Noon Event #7 Jr. Lifeguard Run Swim Run
12:30 pm Event #8 Paddleboard Rescue Relay (Women, Men + Combo)
1:30 pm Event #9 National Doryman’s Association NDA Race #2
2:30 pm Event #10 Open Paddleboard Race (Women, Men + Combo)
3:30 pm Event #11 Landline Rescue Relay
4:00 pm Body Surfing Demo
4:30 pm Lifeguard Events Awards Ceremony on Main Stage
YOUTH PAVILION
All Day Events: Arts, Crafts and Games hosted by City of San Clemente Recreation Division
Face Painting hosted by Gratitude Garden Preschool
Location: Youth Pavillion South of Pier
8:30 am - 2:30 pm Ticket sales for Crafts, Games & Face Painting
9:00 am The Hand Me Downs (COA Performance)
10:00 am Pillow Talk (Performance)
11:00 am Hula Connection (Performance)
Noon Raíces Ballet Folklorico (Performance)
1:00 pm Sati Sunshine (Performance)
1:30 pm Takinoff (Performance)
2:00 pm San Clemente H.S. Showcase
30th Annual Woodies on the Pier
9:00 am – 2:45 pm
Location: San Clemente Pier
16TH ANNUAL GROMS RULE® SURF PUSH-IN
Boys & Girls 7 and under
Rashguards Sponsored by: Triton Air & Plumbing
Location: North of Pier
DIVISION
Noon Registration/Check-In Behind Main Stage
1:00pm Heat #1
3:00pm GROMS RULE® Surf Push-In Awards Ceremony at Main Stage
SATURDAY, JULY 19
LIFEGUARD COMPETITIONS
Location: Competition Area North of Pier
7:45 am Event #1 Jr. Lifeguard Beach Flags
8:45 am Event #2 Jr. Lifeguard Surf Race
9:00 am Surf Race (Women + Men)
9:30 am Event #3 Rescue Relay (Women, Men + Combo)
10:15 am Event #4 Surf Ski Race Lifeguard spec (Women + Men)
10:45 am Event #5 National Doryman’s Association NDA Race #1
11:30 am Event #6 International Ironman / Woman (Women + Men)
Noon Event #7 Jr. Lifeguard Run Swim Run
12:30 pm Event #8 Paddleboard Rescue Relay (Women, Men + Combo)
1:30 pm Event #9 National Doryman’s Association NDA Race #2
2:30 pm Event #10 Open Paddleboard Race (Women, Men + Combo)
3:30 pm Event #11 Landline Rescue Relay 4:00 pm Body Surfing Demo 4:30 pm Lifeguard Events Awards Ceremony on Main Stage
BEACH PARTY & FREE CONCERT
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Dinners available through Fisherman’s Restaurant on the beach
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Free Beach Concert featuring Bunch of Guys Band
Schedule of Events
YOUTH PAVILION
All Day Events: Arts, Crafts and Games hosted by City of San Clemente Recreation
Division Shark Lab information booth / Face Painting hosted by Gratitude Garden
Preschool
Location: Youth Pavilion South of Pier
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Ticket sales for Crafts, Games & Face Painting
9:00 am Mermaid Parade
9:30 am Daytrip (Performance)
10:30 Ayn Liu (COA Performance)
11:00 Layla Kelso (COA Performance)
11:30 The Vines (COA Performance) 1:30 pm School of Rock (Performance)
NEW! VW BUSES ON THE PIER
Location: Displayed on the Pier
9:00 am – 2:45 pm
30TH
ANNUAL GREAT RUBBER DUCK RACE
Sponsor ducks are $5 each
Location: North of Pier
3:30 pm Duck Release (approximate time)
Announcement of winners following Athletic Awards
16TH ANNUAL GROMS RULE® SURF CONTEST
Boys & Girls 10 and under & 11-14
Rashguards Sponsored by: Triton Air & Plumbing
Location North of Pier
5:30 am
Registration/Check-In @ SURF Registration booth North of Pier
6:30 am – 1:30 pm GROMS RULE® Competition
2:00 pm Awards Ceremony at Main Stage
SUNDAY, JULY 20
SAND SCULPTURE TEAM COMPETITION
Location: South of Pier 6:30 am
Registration & Sand Sculpting Competition 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Judging/Viewing (depending on the tides) 2:00 pm Awards Immediately following judging
CITY LIFEGUARD PANCAKE BREAKFAST
7:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: North of Pier near Marine Safety
2ND ANNUAL BODY SURFING INVITATIONAL
Location: North of Pier
10:00 am
Registration/Check-In at Surf Registration Booth 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Body Surfing Competition North of Pier 4:15 pm Awards Ceremony at Main Stage
OCEAN ART SHOW
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Parque Del Mar, overlooking event
OCEAN ART SHOW
Location: Main Competition Area Northside of San Clemente Pier
8:00 am Event #12 5K Beach Run/Walk 9:00 am Event #14 Biathlon 1km swim, 5km Run 9:15 am Event #15 Open Ocean Paddle 5.5 Mi 11:30 am Event #16 One Mile Ocean Swim
2:30 pm Event #17 Run Swim Run 2:45 pm San Clemente Marine Rescue Demo 3:15 pm Event #18 SUP Sprint (Women + Men) 3:30 pm Event #19 Splash & Dash Relay runner 100m & swimmer 300m 4:30 pm SCOF Final Awards Ceremony at Main Stage
*SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
TLIFEGUARD LEGACY
Father-son duo embodies the lifestyle and spirit of the Ocean Festival.
he San Clemente Ocean Festival is a way of life for Barrett Tester. His involvement began as a competitive outlet during his years as a Huntington Beach lifeguard. In the mid-’90s, he was hired as a consultant and has now served as the festival’s athletic director for nearly 30 years.
“My career has changed a lot over the years, but I’ve had the Ocean Festival as part of my grounding,” he said.
Working collaboratively with the San Clemente Marine Safety Division, Barrett coordinates the safe execution of the festival weekend’s plethora of athletic events including the lifeguard and junior lifeguard competitions, 5K beach run, biathlon, onemile ocean swim, body surfing competition and more.
“This year is actually going to be a very important year for our family,” Barrett said. “My son is in his third year as an ocean lifeguard. He’s going to be competing in the event and has taken on the lifeguard competition as something he really enjoys doing, just like I did.”
Cruz Tester grew up immersed in the Ocean Festival. Over the years, he tagged along with his dad to festival planning meetings and competed in the kids’ Run-SwimRun and Splash & Dash Relay.
“Every single year, I look forward to it, and it’s been that way my whole life,” Cruz said. Inspired by his father’s stories from his days as a lifeguard, his years as a competitive swimmer and summers spent at T-Street, Cruz began his lifeguard career in 2023. He’s now a lifeguard supervisor who enjoys helping people and making a difference in the community. Cruz has also embraced the
physical and mental challenges of the annual lifeguard competition his father competed in for over 10 years.
“I’m hoping to have some good showdowns,” Cruz said. “I think the Aussies are going to be here, so that will up the playing field quite a bit. It should bring the best out of me and the rest of the competitors.”
For the Testers, the Ocean Festival is a time-honored family ritual. Barrett’s wife, Julia, and daughter Kaelin, who now lives in Oregon, have long played key volunteer and spectator roles.
“It’s part of our summer routine,” Barrett said. “Every mid-July, we’re in San Clemente. Then we kind of scatter to the four corners of the nation where we’re doing things.”
First as a competitor and later athletic director, Barrett has witnessed the festival’s evolution over the years but says one thing remains unchanged: the Ocean Festival still plays a unique role in celebrating the ocean-centric lifestyle embraced by local surfers, swimmers, paddlers and runners.
While ocean and lifeguard competitions are more common in Australia and New Zealand, he says San Clemente’s festival is one of the few U.S.-set events embodying the same spirit of friendly competition and community.
“The Ocean Festival, for me, is a point of origin for ocean sports in the United States,” he said. “The multi-sport lifestyle, the athletic lifestyle is a big part of Southern California, and in San Clemente, we celebrate it with the Ocean Festival.”
From groms to seasoned athletes, the Ocean Festival draws people from across generations — and the Tester family is proof the two-day event can foster a lifelong love of the ocean and its endless play.
Father and son Barrett (R) and Cruz (L) Tester represent a multigenerational legacy of lifeguard competition athletes. Photo: Courtesy of CruzTester
A BUNCH OF LOCAL GUYS
The South Orange County locals behind Bunch of Guys Band are making their San Clemente Ocean Festival return on Saturday with a high-energy, good-vibes set packed with rock n’ roll classics spanning Elvis to Ozzy, Zeppelin to Weezer and a little disco, too.
“We’ve been playing together for over 30 years now,” said guitarist and vocalist Dale Macdonald. “Four of the five of us grew up around here. I went to San Clemente High School, another went to Capo Valley and our bass player went to Dana Hills.”
Bunch of Guys have played nearly every kind of venue and gig including dive bars, weddings, sunset cruises and unconventional annual events. However, nothing compares to performing on home surf.
“It’s really cool to be able to be on the beach in front of everyone,” Macdonald said. “Playing outside is always a lot of fun. It doesn’t get any better.”
With decades of chemistry, local roots, a music archive spanning six decades and the motto, “As long as we have fun, they’ll have fun,” an epic time is absolutely guaranteed.
MENEHUNE MAGIC
This groms-only contest is all for the love of surf.
For 16 summers, the Groms Rule surf contest has celebrated the purest form of stoke. No points. No rankings. No pressure. Just fun. Founded by Jack Sutter, a lifelong surfer with a heart for celebrating the youngest wave riders, the Menehune-style contest is all about building confidence and a love of surfing.
Held just off the San Clemente Pier, the event annually draws a crowd of about 2,000. From push-in divisions for surfers as young as 4 to more competitive heats for teens, every grom receives a rash guard and chance to shine. Ahead of the contest, Sutter has a longstanding tradition.
“I get all the kids and their parents together to give them a pep talk,” Sutter said. “I tell them the rules, what they’ll be judged on and remind everyone that this
is about having fun.”
Some of the biggest names in surfing made their mark here. Local pros like brothers Griffin and Crosby Colapinto, Cole Houshmand, Sawyer Lindblad, Jett Schilling and Kirra Pinkerton — who swept her divisions in 2013 — are all former contestants. Contest judge Alaina Heater also competed as a grom.
“It was one of the very first contests I ever entered,” Heater said. “That day holds one of my all-time favorite memories, my dad pushing me into my waves as I competed in my very first heat. Judging the next generation of groms, watching them shred with the same passion, is incredibly full circle.”
For Heater, Groms Rule is more than just a surf contest, “it’s a memory maker, a tradition and the place where my surfing journey began,” she said.
Bunch of Guys Band (L to R) Lance Lyons, Dale Macdonald, Eddie Del Canto, Dan Graziani and Dan Gallagher Photo: Courtesy of Bunch of Guys Band
