"Peterson and Harrison Loom as Favorites in Surfing Tourney," Los Angeles Times, July 13, 1940

With over 100 surfing stars, headed by Pete Peterson and Lorrin (Whitey) Harrison, expected to compete, the fourth annual Southern California surfing championships will be held tomorrow at San Onofre. Peterson won the championship In 1937 and 1938, but bowed to Harrison in last year’s contest. Both are experts at the sport and are expected to stage a hot duel for the 1940 crown. They will compete unattached.

Dark horse of the meet will be Cliff Tucker, Palos Verdes' entry, who is rated the most daring rider on the West Coast. Tucker suffered a painful injury last month when a loose board cut his ankle, but is in shape now.

Other stars Include Hoppy Swarts, Adolph Bayer and Jimmy Reynolds of Palos Verdes; Jim Bailey, Jim Kerwln and Bill Edgar of Hermosa; and Erwin Lenkelt, Vincent Lindberg, Charles Butler and Joe Parsons, who will compete unattached.

"Calm Sea Postpones Surfing Gigantic," Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1940

Gentle ripples took the place of the usual run of giant waves at San Onofre yesterday, forcing postponement of the Southern California surfing championships, sponsored by the West Coast Paddleboard Association. The association is expected to stage the meet In the near future, with next Sunday the probable date. More than 100 entrants were present for the event.

"Surfing Stars Compete in Big Meet Today at San Onofre," Los Angeles Times, August 11, 1940

More than 100 surfing stars along the West Coast will convene today at San Onofre to participate in the Fourth Annual Southern California Surfing Championships, sponsored by the West Coast Paddleboard Association. Today’s event is rated the most Important of the year to ace surfing cowboys, even surpassing in brilliance the national championships staged yearly at Long Beach.

Adverse wave conditions forced the meet's postponement for nearly a month, but the delay only served to bring today’s contestants to a sharp edge for the competition and with a break in weather, onlookers should be treated to the most thrilling meet in the history of the event.

Rated as the two finest surfboard riders in America. Pete Peterson and Lorren (Whitey) Harrison are expected to battle it out for top honors today, the winner to be presented with a perpetual trophy as well as a first-place award. Peterson won the championship in 1937 and ’38, but Harrison stole some of his thunder by taking the crown in 1939. Both boys are members of the West Coast Paddleboard Association hut will compete unattached today.

Dark horse of the event will be Cliff Tucker, Palos Verdes star who has been referred to by many as the most daring rider on the West Coast. Tucker suffered an injured ankle early In the season when clipped by a runaway board, but the hurt has healed.

A brother duel will enliven the event, Leroy and Don Grannis competing for rival clubs. Leroy, 22, will ride for Palos Verdes while Don, 16, will wear the colors of the Hermosa Beach Surfing Club. Both are stellar surfers.

Other stars expected to be In the limelight throughout the day's proceedings are Hoppy Swarts, Adolph Bayer and Jimmy Reynolds of Palos Verdes; Jim Bailey, Jim Kerwin and Bill Edgar of Hermosa, and Vincent Lindberg, Charles Butler and Joe Parson, who will compete unattached.

The meet will be staged over a course of approximately a quarter of a mile. Each contestant must catch his wave at the left of the starting buoy, stand erect on his board and cross over to the right of the buoy marking the course limit, approximately 440 yards from the start. Points will be awarded to each performer according to the distance he travels after passing the last buoy marking the foul line.

Five trophies and five medals will be awarded to the first 10 place winners. Two eliminations will be held In the morning, with the finals coming In the afternoon.

"Cliff Tucker Upset Winner in San Onofre Surfing Meet," Los Angeles Times, August 12, 1940

Cliff Tucker of the Palos Verdes Surfing Club displayed the courage that give him the title of the “most daring rider on the West Coast” and proved to Doubting Toms that his knowledge of surfing was tops yesterday when he out-gamed and outrode 75 surfing stars to win the fourth annual Southern California surfing championship at San Onofre.

Barely recovered from an ankle injury suffered several weeks ago when cut by a runaway board. Tucker guided his “Slanchwise”—an unorthodox surfboard that opponents said he wouldn’t stand a chance with—to victory over three opponents in the finals after six hours of grueling competition had eliminated over 70 of the best surfboard riders along the West Coast.

1940 Pacific Coast Surf Riding Championships

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