Beach BreakaWave Draws Rodeo Fans to Avila Beach

One-of-a-kind coastal rodeo supports the Cal Poly Rodeo program while creating an unforgettable experience for guests and competitors

AVILA BEACH, Calif., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The sixth annual Beach BreakaWave brought rodeo competition to the California coast Sept. 24 to Sept. 26, drawing large crowds to Avila Beach for a singular event in an iconic setting.

Created as a fundraiser for the Cal Poly Rodeo program, Beach BreakaWave pairs rodeo's energy and Western tradition with the beauty of the Central Coast. For competitors from across the West, Hawaii and Canada, it was a rare opportunity to compete just feet from the Pacific Ocean.

Friday and Saturday night's 2,500 seats sold out quickly. Another 1,000 spectators attended a special Thursday night event, the Kimes Million-Dollar Breakaway Coastal Qualifier Finals. Beach BreakaWave is also a qualifying event for the San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park each January.

Competition included men's saddle bronc riding and women's breakaway roping. Between traditional rodeo events, surf joring and junior lifeguard showcases delighted the crowd and captured the "Coastal Cowboy" experience. Competitors ranged from National Finals Rodeo qualifiers to college athletes who traveled from near and far to compete on Avila Beach. Seven breakaway ropers and one saddle bronc rider were members of the Cal Poly Rodeo team.

"It was amazing to be able to qualify for and rope at BreakaWave this year," Cali Clark, a second-year agricultural science major and member of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team, said. "I was able to compete in a setting that not many others can say they have, with the opportunity to rope alongside the role models that have given me a deeper insight into the Western industry. These experiences and connections have been invaluable." Clark, who is from Prunedale, California, competes in breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing at the collegiate level.

Guests shared their enthusiasm throughout the event, with many calling it the best rodeo they had ever attended. For others, it was their first rodeo experience, enjoyed from the bleachers, the pier and the water.

That enthusiasm reflects what makes Beach BreakaWave so distinctive: world-class competition, a remarkable location and a community coming together to support Cal Poly Rodeo and four charitable organizations: Jack's Helping Hand, Golden Circle of Champions, Friends of Avila Pier and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center.

Across the two days of competition, Taylor Munsell of Alva, Oklahoma, won the first-day breakaway championship, and Mitch Polluck of Winnemucca, Nevada, claimed the saddle bronc title. On the second day, Lari Dee Guy of Abilene, Texas, won the breakaway, and Reed Neely of Sanger, California, took the saddle bronc title. Polluck and Guy also qualified for the San Diego Rodeo. Polluck finished with the highest overall average score in saddle bronc riding, while Guy posted the fastest average breakaway time across both days.

"BreakaWave in Avila Beach was everything we hoped it could be and more," said Ben Londo, Cal Poly Rodeo head coach and event director for BreakaWave. "We wanted to create an experience people would never forget, while raising important support for our students and the rodeo program. Seeing the crowds, the energy and the way people embraced the event was incredible."

The event's success was made possible by the Cal Poly Rodeo team, event partner Outriders West, local agencies, sponsors, volunteers, competitors, and the Avila Beach community.

The Port San Luis Harbor District played a significant role in the administrative preparation for the beach rodeo in Avila. "BreakaWave was a tremendous success for Avila Beach and the Harbor District, and we were pleased to see the event come to life. The unique event brought the Cal Poly Rodeo program and our waterfront together in a way that was exciting for the community and showcased Avila Beach in a whole new way," said Jennifer Szeliga, business manager of Port San Luis Harbor District. "It was truly a community effort, with many partners working together to make it such a great event. We're proud to have been part of bringing this one-of-a-kind event to Avila Beach and look forward to seeing what we can build on together in the future."

"We want to thank the Avila community for opening its doors to us and being such amazing hosts," Londo said. "We are grateful for the welcome and support we received. It was a privilege to bring Beach BreakaWave to Avila Beach and we hope everyone who joined us felt how special this community and this event are."

In keeping with Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo's Learn by Doing approach to education, Cal Poly Rodeo athletes not only practice and care for their horses but also help develop and produce BreakaWave. Members of the rodeo team and production classes oversee arena construction, run-of-show production, media and marketing, VIP and guest experiences, and facility logistics.

At the end of the rodeo, students remove and clean the venue, aiming to leave it in better condition than they found it. In total, more than 200 Cal Poly students are involved with the event, including the Cal Poly Tractor Pull Club, which provides all of the bleacher seating for the event.

BreakaWave has been a significant fundraising event for Cal Poly Rodeo since its inaugural performance in 2021. The event will return to Avila Beach in September 2027; dates will be announced soon.

About Cal Poly Rodeo

Cal Poly Rodeo supports student athletes through competition, leadership development, and educational opportunities. Beach BreakaWave raises funds to help strengthen the program and support its students. The Cal Poly Rodeo program, established in 1939, currently hosts 125 participants from around the nation, with many participants in the highly regarded College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science, as well as biology, pre-med, business, architecture, and other areas of study. Beach BreakaWave provides scholarships for more than a quarter of the team members. Recently ranked by Time Magazine #10 in public universities in the nation, and #38 overall, it has been dubbed "the cowboy college."  Cal Poly Rodeo is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and currently ranks at the top of the West Coast region in both men's and women's standings.

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SOURCE Beach BreakaWave LLC