CARLSBAD — When Tom Rutherford took a look at his work schedule for Sunday, he had a bit of a problem.

Rutherford, an assistant manager at the Big Bear supermarket on Adams Street in San Diego, was supposed to be at work at 7 a.m. Better late than never.

Due to his participation in the 13th annual Carlsbad Bodysurfing Contest at South Pine State Beach, Rutherford had to call in late for work. And it’s a good thing he did as the 32-year-old San Diego resident won the grand championship with a score of 167 points in the overall final which featured the Winners of the nine age divisions.

"When I saw what time I was supposed to be at work, I called in and told ‘em I’d be there about 1 p.m.," said Rutherford, who won his first grand championship of the Carlsbad event and his fourth age division (27-33) title.

After Sunday’s work shift, Rutherford will have no more distractions as he prepares for next weekend’s World Bodysurfing Championships, which kick off Friday at Oceanside Pier.

"I’ve got the week off so I can practice for the world championships," said Rutherford, who won a Morey Boogie bodyboard at Carlsbad to go with his first-place plaque.

"I need to get my wind up. I was pretty winded in the finals."

In the grand championship final, Rutherford narrowly beat John Shearer of Hermosa Beach, who had 165 points. Close behind were Palm Desert’s Bob Burnside (163) and Australia’s Scott Sorrell (160) in the 2- to 4-foot conditions with occasional 5-foot sets.

"That was a tough heat," said Shearer, a two-time titlist at the World Bodysurflng Championships. "I knew Tom had some great waves. But win or lose, this is a great event to help you get ready for next week."

Rutherford’s 27-33 age division championship was more of the same as he scored a 178, while San Diego’s Chris Lafferty (168) was second.

In Shearer’s 34-40 age group final, he won with a total of 174, followed closely at 171 by five-time WBSC champion Mike Cunningham of Gardena.

The high score of the two-day event came in the men’s 12-15 final when Ojai’s David Ford posted a 183 in winning the title. Ford’s brother, Chris, was second with 171.

"Those kids really looked good," Cunningham said. "That’s the future of bodysurflng right there."

Local age division winners were Vista’s Andy Trejo (men’s 16-19) and Encinitas’ Virginia Cartwright (women’s 25-and-over), each winning by one point.

Trejo totaled 149 to nip Los Angeles’ Brian Wincke. Cartwright scored a 174 to defeat San Diego’s Sue Scatolini.

"The waves were really good in the morning, then they slacked off a bit later on," said Cartwright, who won her 12th Carlsbad title.

Each men’s final consisted of six bodysurfers, with the exception of the 12-15 which had four. The women’s 12-24 final featured four competitors and the 25-and-over included five finalists.

In the men’s 20-26 championship, Sorrell (167) topped two-time WBSC champion Tim Casinelli of Leucadia (157).

Chula Vista’s John O’Neill Jr. (164) captured the 41-49 crown, while Los Angeles’ David Hazard (170) was second. La Jolla’s Hal Handley, last year’s WBSC grand champion, was third with 164.

The 50-and-over champion was Burnside (158), followed by Oceanside’s Jim Enright (152) in second.

Isabelle De Loys (162) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, won the women’s 12-24 competition, while Cerritos’ Allison Day (152) was second and Encinitas’ Juniper Fitzgerald (148) third.

BODYSURFING NOTES --- Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard was among the spectators in the family-oriented crowd Sunday. Beathard, a Leucadia resident, is an avid surfer ... Next weekend’s 15th annual World Bodysurfing Championships at Oceanside Pier, which will feature 381 of the world’s best male and female bodysurfers, begins at 6:30 am. Friday and continues through Sunday’s finals which are set for 10 a.m.