Surfing and more underway at Unsound RVCA Pro

Long Beach’s surfing enthusiasts scattered on the sand between Lincoln and Monroe boulevards under sunny skies Friday afternoon to witness the first- and second-round heats of the RVCA Unsound Pro.

The 48 competitors — vying for a $10,000 prize purse — included Montauk’s Leif Engstrom, Point Lookout’s Balaram Stack, and Long Beach's T.J. Gumiela and Will Skudin, the No. 5-ranked surfer on the Big Wave World Tour.

Though Engstrom locked in a quick score of 6.0 during the opening moments of the competition’s second heat, 14-year-old Tommy Coleman outlasted the veteran Engstrom, who won his fourth consecutive NYSEA Open title in July. Coleman’s 6.17 was the highest score of the heat, as the Florida native caught the most waves, flaunting sly maneuvers from east to west to advance to the second round.

Those watching the competition took a break to visit merchandise tents and nearby Skakes and Shuckers, which opened on the boardwalk earlier this month. RVCA’s skate team, including Greyson Fletcher and Curren Caples, signed autographs from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Unsound Pro’s third round is slated to take place beginning at 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, with the finals set to start at 2:30 p.m., where a champion will be crowned.