Stephen Rubin
www.nctimes.com
SAN DIEGO —- OK, beach volleyball and flowboarding (think surfing but on an artificial wave) make a reasonable pair for an Southern California competition. But competitive eating, too? (No word whether fish tacos are involved, but still.) At least we’re not talking about a triathlon here. But if that were the case, would the eating come first or last?
Anyhoo, that trio of events —- separate competitions with separate athletes —- is part of something called the Collegiate Nationals, which makes one of its four stops in San Diego at Mission Beach’s Wave House on Friday, Saturday and April 20. The three days of competition will be part of a one-hour program running May 25 on CBS. Those wishing to maybe grab a second of airtime or simply watch competitve eaters stuff their faces are welcome to attend free.
The real competition and real crowds are expected Saturday, when the Wave House’s Bruticus Maximus (the 10-foot tubed wave has a name, naturally) will be entertaining brave flowboarders, including 2007 champ Derek Zemen of USC. Qualifying rounds are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., semifinals from 5 to 6 p.m., and the final from 8 to 9 p.m. After the awards ceremony, there will be a flowboarding all-star exhibition from 9:30 to 10:15 p.m.