Surfer the Week - Archives (2008)
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Kaimana "Mana Boy" Jaquias
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Lihue, Hawaii | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy -11th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, Kustom, Kicker, Rockstar, On a Mission. |
| Claim to Fame: | Kauai's Kaimana Jaquias was crowned National Open Men's Champion at the 33rd annual NSSA National Championships at Huntington Beach Pier. After winning the coveted title, a beaming Kaimana stated that he was "on top of the moon" as this victory also puts his name on the list of esteemed NSSA champions including his father Kaipo Jaquias, who was the 1987 Open Junior Champion. "I'm just so happy to have my name up there with my father," Kaimana said. "I wanted to have my name up there with his." | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Mike Powell
| Age: | 22 |  |
| Hometown: | Wrightsville Beach, NC | |
| School: | University of North Carolina Wilmington-Graduated May 2010 with a degree in Finance | Sponsors: | Hurley, Globe, Dragon, Sharp Eye, Sweetwater Surf Shop |
| Claim to Fame: | Graduating senior Mike Powell came up huge in his final year at UNCW. In April, he claimed the College Men's Regional victory leading the UNCW team to its second consecutive Championship title. But nothing compared to this week, when Mike put on an explosive performance in the College Mens final at the National Collegiate Championships at Salt Creek scoring a solid 14.85 triumphant heat total, claiming his first National title and giving East Coast surfing something to be extremely proud of! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Jason Schechter
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | San Diego, Ca | |
| School: | Canyon Crest Academy - 11th grade | Sponsors: | Bessell Surfboards |
| Claim to Fame: | Not only does 17-year-old Jason excel in school but he recently became a NSSA champion. Two weeks ago, Jason sealed the biggest triumph of his career winning the Open Longboard division at the West Coast Championships. This week, the Canyon Crest Academy junior was named NSSA Surfer Scholar of the Year with an outstanding 4.67 GPA. Jason will be competing at the Nationals in HB going for his first National title along with receiving a special award for his exceptional academic achievement! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Cole Houshmand
| Age: | 9 |  |
| Hometown: | San Clemente, Ca | |
| School: | Vista Del Mar Elementary School | Sponsors: | Chas Surfboards, Sanuk |
| Claim to Fame: | The groms were stepping up for the finals of the 2010 West Coast Championships in heavy 6-8 foot surf. 9-year-old Cole took off on a set right bomb in the Mini Grom final which posted an 8.17 from the judges. The wave was not only the highest score in the Mini Grom division but one of the top scores of the entire contest. This was Cole's first major championship victory and by the looks of this young shredder, there will be many more titles in his future! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Taylor Clark
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Encinitas, Ca | |
| School: | Julian Charter School-9th grade | Sponsors: | Rip Curl, Dragon, Surfride, DSC, Creatures, DC |
| Claim to Fame: | Taylor had a field day at the SW Explorer Season finale at HB's 9th St. this past weekend. He claimed the only perfect 10 of the contest, took double victories in Juniors & Boys and clinched the conference title in the Juniors. His focus and work ethic has been evident all season as he's been competing in multiple Open & Explorer divisions which means a ton of back-to-back heats. Taylor was named a top contender in the upcoming Nationals and he WILL BE motivated to take home his first title! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Kanoa Igarashi
| Age: | 12 |  |
| Hometown: | Huntington Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Dwyer Middle School-7th grade | Sponsors: | Quiksilver, Huntington Surf and Sport, Channel Islands, Ocean & Earth |
| Claim to Fame: | Kanoa was ready for combat and delivered another stellar performance at his home break on the southside of HB Pier. In a doubleheader weekend for the SW Open Boys division, Kanoa won both contests clinching his second straight Conference Boys title. He also pushed himself against the big dogs taking an impressive 2nd place in the Open Juniors. Kanoa is fired up for the upcoming West Coast Champs and Nationals in his backyard and is already getting his quiver dialed in! He wants a National title! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Spencer Farrar
| Age: | 13 |  |
| Hometown: | Malibu, Ca | |
| School: | Excel School-7th grade | Sponsors: | O'Quinn, Roberts |
| Claim to Fame: | Spencer had a breakout performance to close out the 2009-10 Gold Coast Conference regular season. In fun chest high waves at Ventura's C Street, the 13-year-old from Malibu ripped his first ever perfect 10 and then put the icing on the cake winning the Menehuene final for his first ever NSSA victory. Everyone better pay attention because we've been seeing a lot of fresh, young talent come alive just in time for the Nationals! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Cole Richards
| Age: | 18 |  |
| Hometown: | Garden City, SC | |
| School: | St. James High School - 12th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, Oakley, Reef, Perfection Surfboards, Village Surf Shop, FCS, Gorilla Grip, Verve Energy Drink, Water Mans Applied Science, Nixon. |
| Claim to Fame: | Cole pulled off some last minute heroics en route to his stunning Open Men's victory at the 2010 East Coast Championships. Needing a mid-range 6-point score to move into the lead, a good little right peak sent from heaven came directly to Cole with seconds ticking on the clock. He went for broke, unleashing on each vertical turn earning a 6.9 taking the win and his first major championship title becoming the first surfer from South Carolina to win the coveted Open Men's crown. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Mason Barnes
| Age: | 16 |  |
| Hometown: | Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina | |
| School: | Bridgeway Academy | Sponsors: | O'Neill, Dragon, FCS, Gorilla Grip, Vertra Sunscreen, Sweet Water Surf Shop, Eastern Surf Supply, Firewire Surfboards |
| Claim to Fame: | Mason swept thru the competition at the Mid Atlantic Conference event #7 with a sensational triple victory performance in Open Mens, Explorer Mens & Explorer Juniors. Having the right equipment for the conditions proved to be the right choice. Look for Mason to make an impact at the upcoming NSSA East Coast Championships and bring some titles home for the Mid Atlantic! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Tanner Hendrickson
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Paia, Maui, Hawaii | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy | Sponsors: | Fox, Xanadu Surfboards, Dakine |
| Claim to Fame: | The big news out of the Hawaii Regional Championships was the total domination of Tanner Hendrickson and his 3-division triumph in Open Mens, Explorer Mens and Explorer Juniors. The Maui local has had one heck of a sensational 2009-10 Hawaii season taking absolute control with 8 regular season victories and 3 conference titles to go along with his Regional sweep. It is clear that Tanner is focused, motivated and will be bringing his A game to the Nationals this summer. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Jake Marshall
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | Encinitas, Ca | |
| School: | Rancho Encinitas Academy-5th grade | Sponsors: | Hurley, Nike 6.0, Xanadu, Oakley, Famous Wax |
| Claim to Fame: | Jake came out full strength to San Clemente Pier this past weekend-the site of the SW Explorer #8 and #7 makeup. In shreddable 2-4 foot surf, Jake took control in his heats consistently racking up scores in the 7, 8 and 9 range. He claimed two runaway victories in the Menehuene division in both the Explorer #8 contest and the event #7 make-up. He also had an impressive runner-up placing in the Boys final. The double wins in the Menehuene will shoot him to the top of the ratings leader board! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
NSSA STATE CHAMPIONS
| Age: | 2010 |  |
| Hometown: | California | |
| School: | College, High School and Middle School | Sponsors: | Education and Schooling; Team coaches, captains and teachers! |
| Claim to Fame: | CONGRATS TO OUR SCHOLASTIC CHAMPS! College Champions-Doug Van Mierlo, Chloe Buckley, Scott Brandenburg. High School Varsity Champions-Christian Saenz, Taylor Pitz, Jeff Newell. High School JV Champions-Breyden Taylor, Melina Smith, Eli Gillis. Middle School Champions-Colt Ward, Kulia Doherty, Andy Nieblas. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Jake Halstead
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Adeo Charter School-10th grade | Sponsors: | Hurley, Rusty, Oakley, Nixon, Da Kine, Vertra |
| Claim to Fame: | Jake is rapidly cementing his status as one of the best junior surfers in the world. Recently coming off a 2nd place at the World Juniors, Jake is not slowing down. In gnarly, heart-thumping mountains and spitting tubes at the Salt Creek Open, Jake was charging the bombs putting forth some of the most dynamic surfing of the season. His keen barrel riding skills and explosive moves earned him multiple 10-point scores and the Juniors victory. He was pulling into some THICK, DEEP "Creek" caverns! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Sam Duggan
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Merritt Island, Florida | |
| School: | Merritt Island High School | Sponsors: | Reef, Quiet Flight Surfboards, Kona Surf & Sport, ESA Allstar, Mom & Dad |
| Claim to Fame: | Sam has been a standout all season and was stoked to finally take the big double point win in Explorer Boys at Southeast Conference Contest #7 at Ponce De Leon Landing in Melbourne Beach. He will continue his lead in the Explorer Boys ratings and is also ranked 2nd in Open Boys, Sam says Chinese is his favorite food and Biology is his favorite school subject. He especially enjoys learning about our planet earth. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Skip McCullough
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Muirlands Middle School | Sponsors: | Jet Pilot, Xanadu, Pacific Drive, Gorilla Grip, Headhunter |
| Claim to Fame: | Most people who know Skip know his style-BIG waves! And for the second straight season at Ocean Beach Pier, the 14-year-old charger made a statement. In an dynamic day of action and a carbon copy of last year's pumping 6-8 foot conditions, Skip took command in the Explorer Boys division winning his first final of the season. He also posted the event's only perfect 10 on a grinding set left where he pulled off two huge backside turns and then finished it off with an incredible air-drop floater. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Dylan Kowalski
| Age: | 16 |  |
| Hometown: | Haleiwa, Hi; Wrightsville Beach, NC | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy | Sponsors: | Rip Curl, DaKine, Sweetwater Surf Shop, Sharp Eye Surfboards, Arbor Skate Boards, Spy |
| Claim to Fame: | Dylan had a rock solid performance at the NSSA Hawaii event # 8 at Pine Trees in solid 4-5 foot surf. In Hawaii's notorious stacked field of surfers, Dylan was a triple finalist placing 4th in Open Mens, 4th in Explorer Mens and 3rd in Explorer Juniors. The 16-year-old is a road warrior splitting residence between Hawaii and North Carolina. He is logging up tons of heat time competing in both Hawaii and Mid Atlantic contests and should be ready to do damage at the 2010 Regionals and Nationals. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Colt Ward
| Age: | 12 |  |
| Hometown: | San Clemente, Ca | |
| School: | Shorecliffs Middle School-7th grade | Sponsors: | O'Neill, Oakley, Lost |
| Claim to Fame: | What a way to win your first NSSA contest! 12-year-old Colt claimed his first ever victory in the Open Boys division in epic 6-8 foot C Street waves. He charged the amazing overhead right lines ripping solid top to bottom turns. Colt said he drew inspiration from one of his favorite surfers Parker Coffin who was annihilating the perfect surf all weekend. In a division loaded with heaps of talent, look for Colt to continue his rise up the ranks and contend for his first National title this June! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/26/2010
Mike Gillard
| Age: | 48 | .jpg) |
| Hometown: | Coronado, Ca | |
| School: | Graduated! | Sponsors: | None - Mike is just a hardcore competitor! |
| Claim to Fame: | Nothing seems to be a challenge for Iron Man Mike. Not even surfing 11 heats in one day in bombing 6 foot surf at the SW Explorer in Mission Beach. It was double duty for the reigning National Longboard Champ who was competing in Longboard, Seniors and Super Seniors in both the regularly scheduled event #5 and the make-up event #3. We knew he was pumped when he punted an aerial in his first Seniors heat. He continued to charged it with remarkable endurance making all 6 finals. | |