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| Claim to Fame: |
The Southwest Open event 3 was held at Seaside Reef and with lack of swell in the water, the surfers had to compete in tricky waist high peaks at the inside break known as Palisades. When it comes to contests which can be held in an array of weather and wave situations, Lucas put his small wave savvy to work and took command winning every heat in Open Juniors including the final. “I know I need to be ready for anything, heat by heat,” he said. “I've worked really hard on the small wave game, my equipment and the way I surf heats in those conditions. You have to put together great heats when conditions are tough. Good surfers are good in any kind of surf, so I want to be good in everything.” Lucas has been in dominating form this season and coupled with his win at the Oceanside Open event 2, he will climb to the top of the Juniors ratings. Lucas is also leading the Explorer Boys ratings and is striving to repeat the trio of titles he earned in that division where he swept the Conference, Regional and National crowns last season. He also wants to add the Open Juniors to that list. “I'm setting the goals high and going for another trifecta but this time in both divisions. I know it doesn't happen very often. I was able to do it last year and feel that if I put together everything heat by heat, I can do it again. It may be impossible, but that is what I'm aiming for.” True it doesn’t happen very often but there are a several special surfers who have pulled it off – Bobby Martinez, Carissa Moore, Kolohe Andino, Courtney Conlogue and Caroline Marks to name a few! At such a young age, Lucas brings on a powerful approach and technique to his surfing along with a sharp, competitive focus. He knows it’s not easy to be on top. “Open Juniors has the most surfers and events go for two days so you really have to put together entire events. To be at the top is pretty sick but it is a long season, everybody rips and I still have a lot of work to do. Head down and let's do this!” Favorite thing about Seaside Reef: You get everything at Seaside; ledge reef lefts, huge open face rights and the super fun inside left and right. You have to be a good all around surfer to do well there and be prepared for totally different conditions. The place pumps out great surfers and I think that is why. Local spot: Oceanside Harbor & Pier. Surf crew: My Brother Ace and my Dad, the Simmers; Caity and Timo, Chase Nieman, Kai Willams, Mason McBride, Diego Casteñeda, Titus Santuchi, Ryder Smith, Bison Sharpe, Marlee Lovell, Rawly McKinley, Braden Arcaris and Zane Haber. We all surf North County SD every day. Favorite surfers: Gabriel Medina. He's got it all, power, rail, airs and is the best competitor in the world. And Jordy Smith because of his style and flow. Fantasy Superpower: To be able to breath and fly under water. If you could surf like anyone, who would it be? It would be a mix of Gabriel Medina, Bobby Martinez and Jordy Smith. Bobby's backhand blows my mind. Jordy's rail game and flow is huge and Gabe is the model of perfect surfing. Dream wave: Puerto Escondido. Something people don’t know about you: I like riding my motorcycles out in the desert. Who has pushed your surfing? My dad is a SUPER Dad, he does everything for me and my brother to support our surfing. Thank yous: My family, Luke Steadman, John Daniels, Garth Tarlow, Matt Sims, Carlsbad Boardriders Club, Vinnie Martinez and Pete Censoplano. |
