Goblins and Ghouls Take Over the Beach

Surfing ninjas, ballerinas, monsters and even King Neptune hit the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday for the third-annual Haunted Heats Halloween Surf Contest.

Children of all ages dressed up for a scary-good time to help raise money for Boarding for Breast Cancer. The free event is hosted every year by ZJ Boarding House, and your costume and acting abilities matter more than your surfing skills.

It turns out that surfing in your Halloween costume can be difficult. Leah Ball, a first-time contestant from Malibu, said, "I dressed up as hula dancer, but it was much harder to paddle and catch waves than I thought it would be."

Several repeat contestants said picking the right costume is the key. Wigs, wings and other items end up floating onto the shore. 

Event organizer Todd Roberts said the contest is the favorite event of the many he does each year. 

"This is our feel-good event of the year," he told Patch. "It is so much fun to have everyone in costume, laughing and enjoying the morning and trying to surf in their Halloween costumes. The pictures are priceless."

Mikke Pierson is a longtime Malibu resident and owner of ZJ Boarding House in Santa Monica.