Pt. Mugu Military Base Is Hosting Their Annual Surf Contest — And Anyone Can Enter

If you haven’t heard of Pt. Mugu, that’s partially by design. 

Originally the site of a Chumash village named Muwu, it later became a key location for U.S. Navy missile development and testing. Today, it’s part of Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) and plays a crucial role in national security.

It also has some A-grade, sand-bottom, Stradbroke-esque waves — which can only be accessed by Military and DoD Civilian personnel. 

Normally, we wouldn’t blast information about a lowkey, high-quality wave all over the internet — but the US Government did it for us. (And anyway, if you try to paddle around the point, you’ll be kindly asked to leave by men with guns)

In 2008 the Point Mugu Surf Contest was created to give surfers from the general public the chance to surf the waves on base, and the annual contest continues on July 26/27th.

Past standouts include military surfers like Matt Merel — who has won the Military division three times in a row — and local talents like Dane Reynolds, Tim Curran, Adam Virs, Matt McGabe, Jake Kelley, Cory Arambide and more. Though an 805 area code isn’t required to register for the contest, the various podiums are typically cluttered with surfers bred between County Line and Point Conception. (Legacy Ventura filmmaker Jason ‘Mini’ Blanchard has previously won the boog division out here.)

Typically, conditions are a blend of wedgy tubes and onshore rip-bowls, with a backwash gauntlet perpetually blasting through the lineup to the delight of onlookers.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Navy Quality of Life Programs at Naval Base Ventura County, and if you click the link below, you can also enter the equally prestigious weekend cornhole tournament on base.

Per the Mugu website:

The 2025 Point Mugu Surf Contest includes four divisions; Military, Open Men’s, Open Women’s, & Jr’s (17 & under). This year surfers in each division will compete to win cash prizes. First place in each division will win $500, second place will win $300, and third place will take home $200. Space is limited, there will not be a waiting list for this event. Surfers who register and fail to check in for their heat will not compete. Substitutions are not accepted. All competitors will have access to the practice area on Saturday. Sunday’s access to the water will be limited to finalists only.

Click here if you’d like to enter.