San Diego played host to a one-of-a-kind event dubbed the “URT Lob Off” in an inaugural event near Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in October. The event, named after the waterman’s clothing company URT (www.urturt.com), also centered on a “competitive lobster diving” theme. URT had been promoting the event for nearly two months in advance at local hangouts and surfshops. The day came and the surf had been flat for three days prior, leaving the water plenty clear. It made for perfect conditions for divers to swim down and find tasty lobsters. Among the seven contestants were Navy SEALS, the son of a Department of Fish and Game warden and a Coronado Beach lifeguard. Prizes were given for the number of legal-size lobster and the biggest lobster caught and the state Department of Fish and Game monitored the contest. The rules of the “Lob Off” were simple. To participate, one needed a fishing license, along with a lobster card. All the contestants had two hours to troll for lobsters, starting and ending at the top of the stairs at so-called “Garbage Beach.” When there was 15 minutes remaining, a big white-and-blue umbrella was deployed and placed atop the cliff for all the contestants to see, signaling the end of the competition. Contestant Al Hansen was the first to head to the judging area because he had caught his legal limit for the day — seven lobsters. He actually had been waiting at the staging area since the umbrella was deployed. When all was said and done, Hansen claimed first place for both the number of legal-size lobsters and the biggest at three pounds. Less than half of the seven contestants returned with legal-size lobsters. Second place went to Spencer Summers with two catches and third place was awarded to Bobby Wurzelbachel with one legal-size catch. The other competitors in the inaugural “Lob Off” were Troy McCasland, James Lindell, Michael O’Dowd and Mike Saulnier. The awards ceremony turned into a throwback to perhaps a 1950s-era surf contest. The trophies were wood blocks with lobsters painted on them. The second annual event is planned for around the same time next year. — Drew McGill is a photojournalist and ocean enthusiast from San Diego.
