Forty-eight women were placed in a unique and exciting situation on Saturday, October 30, as the Toes on the Nose Women's World Longboard Championship (WWLC) presented by Coors Light kicked off its first two rounds south of the pier at Huntington Beach, California. The event is noteworthy not only for its venue change this year from Boca Barranca, Costa Rica, to Surf City, but also for being the first time in history that the women's prize purse is larger than the men's. Held in conjunction with the Men's Longboard Pro Open, the women's purse is $11,000, while the men's is $10,000.

"I wanted to bring back to the States a Women's World Longboard Championship to showcase the athletic ability, style, and grace of girls who longboard," says Hank Raymond, event director. While the Toes on the Nose WWLC was previously held in Costa Rica, Raymond -- commonly referred to as "The Hankster" -- changed the event's location to make the contest accessible to a wider variety of people. "It's easier for people to participate in this event knowing that the majority of longboarders reside in the U.S.," he says.

The extra grand was made possible by event sponsor Pro Sport Physical Therapy. Originally having donated $1,000, Pro Sport owner Joe Donohue was woken up in the middle of the night by his wife, Turbo. She said she wanted to double her donation and add an extra $1,000 to the women's purse. "Turbo is an avid golfer and athlete herself, and knows the value of showcasing women athletes," Raymond says.

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