Surfers ready to rock

There just aren’t that many things cuter than a small child in a wetsuit. All of the cuteness that can fit into neoprene will gather soon at Otter Rock and Roll, a youth surf contest where surfers 18 and under come from all over Oregon and beyond to surf with friends and family.

Contest registration is now open for this year's 12th annual event, set for Saturday, June 11, at Otter Rock-Devil's Punchbowl State Park.

Presented by the Newport chapter of the Surfrider Foundation on International Surfing Day, the event includes a beach cleanup.

The contest has three age groups with both girls and boys divisions. For the younger groms, there is a child-with-parent division. For beginners, there’s a division in which a surfboard, wetsuit and personal coach are provided.

This is a big event and Surfrider needs lots of help to make it happen, so there are plenty of different volunteer slots to fill. You’ll not only get a warm and fuzzy feeling from helping make this another successful event, you’ll probably get a high five or hug from other Otter Rockers and will score a free t-shirt.

Otter Rock and Roll is not just a surfing contest but also an opportunity to impart the importance of active stewardship of shared beaches, waves and ocean to the next generation, not to mention it's a fun way to welcome summer.

For more information, go to otterrockandroll.org