Surfer the Week - Archives (2009)
Surfer of the Week - 12/21/2009
Patrick Curren
| Age: | 13 | .jpg) |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Olive Grove Charter School-7th grade | Sponsors: | Rip Curl, Channel Islands |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Patrick was looking more like a mini Rob Machado than his famous dad Tom Curren at the Seaside Reef Open. In 3-5 foot glassy perfection at San Diego's most prominent reef and Machado's homebreak, the stylish goofyfooter didn't hold anything back in the Juniors final achieving his first Open victory. Pat commanded the final utlizing the entire Seaside lineup. He ripped the outside bowl with solid frontside blasts and smooth carves and then lit up the right reform earning scores of 8.0 & 7.33. | |
Surfer of the Week - 12/7/2009
Colin Andersen
| Age: | 21 | .jpg) |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | UC Santa Barbara - Senior | Sponsors: | Fox Racing, Rockstar, Channel Islands |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Colin took over the reins as the UCSB team captain for the 2009/10 season and he has taken the leadership role to an impressive level. Not only does he organize and motivate the 4 separate squads that compete for the team, he continues to provide a positive image with his dedication to surfing and academics. In high school Colin was a standout surfer in the Gold Coast Conference. He was recognized as the top scholastic surfer for 3 straight years achieving an amazing 5.0 GPA from 2004-2006. | |
Surfer of the Week - 11/23/2009
Jake Halstead
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Adeo Charter School-10th grade | Sponsors: | Hurley, Rusty, Oakley, Nixon, Da Kine, Vertra. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | The heats just kept on coming for Jake who was surfing in both the Mens and Juniors divisions at the SW Open #6 at Newport's 54th St. In fantastic 4-6 foot grinding rights, Jake competed in 10 heats advancing to both finals, placing 2nd in Men's and 3rd in Juniors. In a display of dynamic surfing and physical toughness, Jake put up some huge numbers. He owned 4 of the top 10 scores in Mens and 5 of 10 in Juniors including 2 blistering 9.60 waves and the highest heat total of the contest-a 19.20. | |
Surfer of the Week - 11/16/2009
Kaleigh Gilchrist
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Newport Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Newport Harbor High School-12th grade | Sponsors: | O'Neill, Smith, Freestyle, Surfside Sports |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | It's not too often that you see an athlete excel in two sports. But that is exactly what 17-year-old Kaleigh Gilchrist has accomplished. Not only is she one of the top teenage surfers in the nation, Kaleigh is also a star water polo player for Newport Harbor High. And this past week was a huge one for the dedicated student-athlete. She not only ripped the waves at the Church Open en route to her first win of the season, she also signed with USC to play water polo in her freshman year in 2010! | |
Surfer of the Week - 11/9/2009
Griffin Colapinto
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | San Clemente, Ca | |
| School: | Truman Benedict Elementary-5th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, Von Zipper, Sex Wax, Ocean Minded, Lost, Killer Dana Surf Shop |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | One of the biggest accomplisments for a young surfer is to win their first NSSA contest and that is why 11-year-old Griffin is smiling ear-to-ear. In pumping 4-6 foot surf on center stage at famed Huntington Beach Pier southside, Griffin was in dominating form in the red-hot Southwest Explorer Menehuene division. In the final, the up-and-coming San Clemente grom was charging the outside bombs and ripping big turns to earn the biggest victory thus far of his young career. | |
Surfer of the Week - 11/2/2009
Makai McNamara
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Haleiwa, Hi | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy-9th grade | Sponsors: | Lost Surfboards, Sanuk, Blackline, Future Fins, Sambazon, Watermens, Pull-in underwear |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Makai went big at the NSSA Hawaii Sunset event a couple weeks ago. He took his surfing to the next level in pumping 4-7 foot Hawaii scale surf. He dominated the Open Juniors final where he posted a near perfect 9.5 score on a set wave and backed it up with a 6.5 leaving most of his fellow finalists in combo land. He also made the final in the highly competitive Open Mens. Makai definitely showed his ironman strength and endurance logging 2 1/2 hours of heat time in big Sunset conditions! | |
Surfer of the Week - 10/26/2009
Parker Coffin
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Olive Grove Charter School-9th grade | Sponsors: | Volcom, Spy, Channel Islands, Sex Wax, Globe, Creatures of Leisure, Premier Surf Training |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Fresh off a trip to Fiji with the Volcom crew where he scored some of the most epic waves of his life, Parker got back into contest mode and made a terrific statement at the Oceanside Open. The energetic 14-year-old tore up the good 3-4 foot lefts at O'Side Pier making both the Mens and Juniors finals. He exploded in his Juniors semi posting high scores of 9.2 and 7.17 and then minutes later carried the momentum into the Mens final where he took no prisoners winning it by a 4-point margin. | |
Surfer of the Week - 10/19/2009
Bailey Nagy
| Age: | 13 |  |
| Hometown: | Haleiwa, Hawaii | |
| School: | Kahuku High Intermediate | Sponsors: | Mom and Dad! |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Bailey has been on a roll in the 2009-10 NSSA Hawaii season. She has made every final in all of the divisions she competes in-Open Womens, Explorer Womens and Explorer Girls. She has two first place finishes-one at the season opener at PK's, Kauai in the Explorer Girls and one in the Explorer Womens at Lahaina Harbor. Last week the 13-year-old put on an outstanding performance at the Sunset Beach contest charging it in bombing 5-7 foot surf and making all three finals! | |
Surfer of the Week - 10/12/2009
John Mel
| Age: | 9 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Cruz, Ca | |
| School: | Del Mar Elementary-5th grade | Sponsors: | Quiksilver, Freeline, Sanuk, JC, Oakley, Future Fins, Komunity, My Dad. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | John has been ruling it in the Northwest Conference Open Season but proved he could step it up in the tough competition down south claiming the Mini Grom victory at the Southwest Open event #3 at HB Pier. In a tight battle for first place, John caught the winning wave at the buzzer-a 4.9 to go with his high score of 6.17 to seal the win. The 9-year-old son of big-wave legend Peter Mel also came up huge in the hotly contested and talented Boys division taking an impressive 4th place in the final. | |
Surfer of the Week - 10/5/2009
Christian and Jake Saenz
| Age: | Christian: 18; Jake: 14 | .jpg) |
| Hometown: | Huntington Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Christian: Huntington Beach High School-12th grade. Jake: Huntington Christian School-8th grade | Sponsors: | Christian: Hurley, Arnette, Timmy Patterson, HSS, Pro Lite, Vertra, Bubble Gum, Cobian, DSC. Jake: Billabong, Creatures of Leisure, HSS, Java Point, Vertra |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | It was a family affair at the 2nd stop of the SW Explorer as reigning SW Open Mens Champ Christian nailed his first win of the season in the Mens and then watched his kid brother Jake take his first win in the Boys. With a solid 3-5 foot south swell churning, the brother duo were unfazed with the gnarly current which is a familiar challenge for HB locals. Both were fired up with their success and as Christian noted,"To both win on the same day, it seriously doesn't get any better than that." | |
Surfer of the Week - 9/28/2009
Kolohe Andino
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | San Clemente, Ca | |
| School: | Pacific Coast High School-10th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, Kustom, Von Zipper, Boost, Red Bull, Blackline. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Kolohe made a triumphant return to Southwest Open competition. The 9-time and reigning Open Mens National Champion put on an amazing high performance surfing display in fantastic head high to overhead surf at Oceanside South Jetty. Pitted against powerman Conner Coffin, Dominic DiPietro and Derrick Disney in a talented Men's final, the teenage phenom wasted no time putting the heat in a chokehold, blowing up on 9.93 & 8.13 rides and winning the final with the highest point totals of the event. | |
Surfer of the Week - 9/22/2009
Conner Coffin
| Age: | 16 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Santa Barbara City College-Freshman | Sponsors: | Hurley, Red Bull, Channel Islands, Oakley and Sex Wax. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Conner made a grand entrance into the Southwest Open Season opener and stole the show. In solid chest to head high lefts at the Huntington St sandbar, his powerful backside was thriving and in command. He won every heat including the final and owned 6 of the top 10 scores of the Men's division including a blistering 9.33 ride in the semis. He blew up in the final posting the event's highest totals-a 16.93 on waves of 8.93 & 8.00. He is now 3 for 3 in 09/10 Southwest and Gold Coast competition. | |
Surfer of the Week - 9/14/2009
Andrew Jacobson
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Malibu, Ca | |
| School: | Malibu High School-9th grade | Sponsors: | Volcom, Smith, Body Glove, Rockstar, Ocean & Earth, Becker, Macbeth, Vestal |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Andrew was pumped up for a good showing at the Gold Coast Explorer doubleheader at Port Hueneme and he delivered. The 14-year-old from Malibu found the good corners in the waist to chest high steep, walled up rights and lefts and executed solid manuevers to the tune of five finals appearances and two victories in the Boys and Airshow. Especially notable was his clean backside aerial reverse in the Airshow which sparked the judges eyes and brought a thunder of cheers from the crowd on the beach! | |
Surfer of the Week - 9/7/2009
Shaw Kobayashi
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | San Clemente, Ca | |
| School: | San Clemente High School-12th grade | Sponsors: | O'Neill, Von Zipper, Jack Ocean Sports, Gorilla Grip, FCS, Lost Surfboards, Ocean Minded, ACF Team |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Shaw returned to the 09-10 season stronger than ever taking a double victory in the Men's & Juniors divisions at the SW Explorer opener in HB. Fresh off a trip from Japan while spending a few weeks training in its diverse beach-break conditions, Shaw has clearly upped his game. The reigning High School State Champ who is a point-break master, was destroying the mushy HB peaks throwing down 9-point rides. With a fantastic start to the season, look for Shaw to be a top Nationals contender in 2010! | |
Surfer of the Week - 9/1/2009
Antoine Allain
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Olive Grove Charter School-12th grade | Sponsors: | Sharp Eye Surfboards, Esteem Surf Shop |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | After years of grinding it out in NSSA competition, Antoine has certainly raised his game, kicking off the 2009-10 season with a bang. The native French teenager who grew up surfing the beachbreaks of Hossegor, has been on a tear in both the Gold Coast and Northwest Conferences. He swept a pair of victories in the Men's division at the Gold Coast doubleheader at Mandalay last weekend and then kept his streak alive with a big win in at the Northwest season opener in the chilly waters of Pacifica. | |
Surfer of the Week - 8/24/2009
Patrick Curren
| Age: | 12 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Olive Grove Home School | Sponsors: | Rip Curl, Channel Islands, Von Zipper |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Patrick returned from the 2-month summer break and blew doors and minds at the Gold Coast Conf. doubleheader at Mandalay Beach. The youngest son of 3-time World Champion Tom Curren took command of the flawless 3-5 foot wedge peaks taking back-to-back wins in the Boys division and then scoring an outstanding victory in the Juniors. Pat's style, wave intuition and impressive talent beyond his years bears a striking resemblance to what his legendary father exposed to the world in the 80's and 90's. | |
Surfer of the Week - 8/12/2009
Dax McGill
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | Haleiwa, Hi | |
| School: | Sunset Beach Elementary School | Sponsors: | Volcom, Electric, Pom Pom Wax. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Straight out of the Mini Grom division from last year, Dax has burst on the scene in the 2009-10 NSSA Hawaii season in the steeper level Women's divisions and is clearly making a huge splash. At event #3 in fun 2 foot surf at Lahaina Harbor on the beautiful island of Maui, the 11-year-old made a big statement taking a double victory in the prestigious Open Women's division and the hotly contested Explorer Girls. | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/21/2009
Pat Schmidt
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Manasquan, NJ | |
| School: | Clonlara Home School | Sponsors: | Billabong, Byrne Surfboards, Etnies, Von Zipper, Creatures of Leisure, Inlet Outlet Surf Shop, FCS, Skull Candy |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Pat had a fantastic day in fun surf at 7th St. beach in Ocean City where the Northeast Conference held contest #3 of the 2009-10 season. Pat ripped his way to first place finishes in Open Mens, Open Juniors and Explorer Boys and then topped things off with a second place in Explorer Juniors. It was a busy and very successful day for the 14-year-old Manasquan regular foot! | |
Surfer of the Week - 7/2/2009
Kolohe Andino and Lakey Peterson
| Age: | Kolohe: 15; Lakey: 14 |  |
| Hometown: | Kolohe: San Clemente, Ca; Lakey: Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Kolohe: Pacific Coast High; Lakey: Santa Barbara Home School | Sponsors: | Kolohe: Billabong, Von Zipper, Kustom, Red Bull, Blackline, Boost Mobile, Mayhem. Lakey: Patagonia, Kaemon Sunglasses, Primer Surf Training, A-Frame Surf Shop, Sex Wax. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | History was made and Kolohe and Lakey were the super stars of the 2009 NSSA Nationals. Kolohe became the youngest surfer to win the prestigious Open Men's while also winning the Explorer Boys and the Airshow. He boosted his National title total to 9 smashing Bobby Martinez' male record of 7. Meanwhile Lakey stunned the nation when she punted a gnarly frontside air in the Open Women's final becoming the first female to complete an aerial in National competition. | |
Surfer of the Week - 5/26/2009
Kalani David
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | Haleiwa, Hi | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy-6th grade | Sponsors: | RVCA, Famous, Electric Visual, Boost Mobile, Waterman Sun Screen, Town and Country Surfboards, Rory Parker Training Camp |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | The 2009-10 NSSA Hawaii season is already underway and Kalani David wasted no time getting off to an amazing start. Held at Straightouts (near Kewalo's) in good 2-3 foot surf, Kalani surfed his way to three finals, winning the Open and Explorer Boys and placing fifth in the Explorer Menehuenes. He also crushed a wave in the Open Boys earning a perfect 10 score. In a great warmup before the Nationals, it looks like our reigning National Mini Grom Champ will be going huge at Salt Creek and Lowers! | |
Surfer of the Week - 5/11/2009
Courtney Conlogue
| Age: | 16 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Ana, Ca | |
| School: | Sage Hill-11th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, Huntington Surf and Sport, Reef, Nixon, Smith, Sex Wax, Nalus Island Grill, Toyota of H.B., Bushman, DaKine, Zola. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | In the bid for her unprecedented 5th conference title, Courtney was in control from the word go at the Southwest Conference season finale in Huntington Beach. Defending her crown for the 5th consecutive year, the tenacious female powerhouse completely dominated the Open Women's division start to finish blowing up the scoreboard with 9-point rides. She won the Women's final by a hefty 7-point margin posting her fourth victory of the season. This week she aims for her 2nd straight Regional title. | |
Surfer of the Week - 5/4/2009
Colton Larson
| Age: | 18 |  |
| Hometown: | Huntington Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Huntington Beach High School-12th grade | Sponsors: | Huntington Surf and Sport |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Colton closed out the 2008-09 season on a high note taking his fourth win of the season with a victory in the Men's division at the Southwest Explorer finale at 9th Street in Huntington Beach. Despite waves in the waist high zone, the big guy made the most out of the chunky shorebreak peaks sneaking in some of his trademark power turns and sealing the Southwest Explorer Men's conference title by a sizable 1,500 point margin. | |
Surfer of the Week - 4/26/2009
Balaram Stack
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Point Lookout, NY | |
| School: | Bridgeway Academy | Sponsors: | Quiksilver, Oakley, Sanuk, Unsound Surf Shop, Freak Traction, Future Fins, Sector 9, Skull Candy |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | It was Balaram's turn in the spotlight at the 2009 East Coast Championships. The 17-year-old New Yorker who had never scored a perfect 10 in his life, put on a heck of a show at Sebastian Inlet nailing not one but three spectacular 10-point scores-a feat unequaled in NSSA Regional Championship competition. Balaram's monster performance which earned him two Regional titles in Explorer Juniors and the Airshow included two deep frontside barrels and a flawless frontside no-grab alley-oop. | |
Surfer of the Week - 4/21/2009
Evan Thompson
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Jacksonville Beach, FL | |
| School: | Heritage Academy | Sponsors: | Billabong, Sharp Eye Surfboards, Spy, On A Mission, Etnies, Ghive.com, DNA Energy Drink |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Evan was clearly on a victory pursuit at the East Coast Championships at Sebastian Inlet. He rose to the occasion throughout the four-day event linking a variety of powerful carving turns, critical floaters and flashy aerial reverses to make his mark in the NSSA history books and take the coveted NSSA Regional gold cup in the prestigious Open Men's division. All eyes will be on Evan this coming June as he makes a strong bid to become the first East Coaster to claim the Open Men's National title. | |
Surfer of the Week - 4/5/2009
Cole Richards
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Garden City Beach, South Carolina | |
| School: | St. James High School | Sponsors: | Billabong, Perfection Surfboards,Village Surf Shop,Oakley Eyewear,Gravis,Gorilla Grip,FCS,Rockstar Energy, Skull Candy, and Watermans Appliances |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Cole is reserved and doesn't claim anything. He lets his surfing do the talking! Cole finished the 2008/2009 season as the ratings leader in Explorer Men's, Explorer Juniors and Open Men's in the NSSA Mid Atlantic Conference. Look for him to make a statement at the East Coast Championships at Sebastian Inlet! | |
Surfer of the Week - 4/5/2009
Christian Saenz
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Huntington Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Huntington Beach High School-11th grade | Sponsors: | Hurley, Arnette, Cobian, Huntington Surf and Sport, Timmy Patterson Surfboards, Prolite, Bubble Gum, Vertra sunscreen. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Christian joined an elite club of surfers which includes Tom Curren, Mike Parsons, Pat O'Connell, Timmy Reyes and Pat Gudauskas by clinching the Southwest Conference Open Men's title at Open #10 at HB Pier. To make this achievement all the more sweeter, he iced it with a victory on his home court in epic 4-6 foot HB perfection. Christian's thirst for competitive success and nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic are second to none so look for him to make a strong statement at the 09 championships. | |
Surfer of the Week - 3/30/2009
Brogie Panesi
| Age: | 12 |  |
| Hometown: | Pacifica, Ca | |
| School: | Pacifica Home School Program-6th grade | Sponsors: | Quiksilver, Norcal Surf Shop, Sex Wax, Electric, DaKine, Vans, Tequpn Surfboards. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Brogie is one of the hottest up-and-comers from our Norcal territory! He stepped up his level big-time in the 2008/09 season clinching three conference titles at the Gold Coast and Northwest season finales at Pismo Beach this past weekend. He took the Gold Coast Explorer Menehuene and Northwest Open Juniors and Open Boys conference crowns. Brogie posted five victories overall this season and his impressive surfing also earned him the "Most Improved Surfer" award for the Northwest Conference. | |
Surfer of the Week - 3/23/2009
Rusty Phillipy
| Age: | 45 |  |
| Hometown: | Cardiff by the Sea, Ca | |
| School: | -- | Sponsors: | Hurley, Reef, GFR Surfboards |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | In challenging rips and stormy sea conditions at the San Clemente Pier Explorer, Rusty came up huge in the Seniors final nailing an excellent 9.0 ride to seal the victory. The two-time National Champion is currently ranked No. 1 in the Super Seniors and No. 2 in the Seniors with six victories overall this season. He is aiming to finish out the year with another conference title and then mount a serious campaign to add another National title to his resume! | |
Surfer of the Week - 3/16/2009
Conner Coffin
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Carpiniteria Home Base | Sponsors: | Hurley, Red Bull, Channel Islands Surfboards, Globe, Oakley, Sex Wax |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | The Surfer of the Week selection was a no brainer for this week and for good reason. At the Southwest Conference event #9 at Ventura's C Street, Conner put on a perfect show in two categories. In the Open Men's and Juniors divisions, he went 10 for 10 in heat wins including victories in both finals. This brings his season win total up to 9. As for Conner's flawless performance, his explosive and dynamic surfing heat after heat will definitely go down as one of the best performances of the year. | |
Surfer of the Week - 3/4/2009
Peter Polanski
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Indian Harbor Beach | |
| School: | Florida Virtual School Satellite High School | Sponsors: | MADA, Etnies, CT Taylor Surfboards, Beachside Physical Therapy |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Peter has been blowing up in the Southeast Conference events this season with five wins. He is currently ranked first in the Open Men's and second in Explorer Juniors. Peter rides a 1985 Honda Spree to surf his home break at the Jamestown Condo's and his favorite food is RICE KRISPIES. Look for Peter to make some noise at the upcoming East Coast Championships at Sebastian Inlet! | |
Surfer of the Week - 3/2/2009
Keanu Asing
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | Ewa Beach, Hi | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy | Sponsors: | Billabong, Von Zipper, Local Motion, Fitted Hawaii, Blackline Mfg, Vertra. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Keanu continued to show he is one of the hottest young talents coming out of Hawaii. At event #8 held in howling, forceful winds and solid 3-4 foot surf, Keanu went on a tear, scorching the competition and scoring an impressive three division sweep in Open Men's, Open Juniors and Explorer Juniors. At the 2008 Nationals, he delivered a sensational winning performance in the Explorer Boys final and we expect he will be turning up the heat even higher on Lowers center stage this June. | |
Surfer of the Week - 2/23/2009
Luke Gordon
| Age: | 9 |  |
| Hometown: | Pawleys Island, South Carolina | |
| School: | Waccamaw Elementary- 3rd grade | Sponsors: | Tavik Clothing, Perfection Surfboards, Village Surf Shop |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | In his first year competing, Luke is currently in 1st place leading the charge in Open Mini Groms and holding down 2nd and 3rd in Explorer Menehuene and Open Boys, He came out of his shell this past weekend with a win in Wrightsville Beach, NC, in cold but fun waist high surf. With his confidence, experience and momentum he will be one to watch at the NSSA Easterns. | |
Surfer of the Week - 2/5/2009
Seth Moniz
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | Honolulu, Hi | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy-6th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, TSCS, Da Kine |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | At Oahu's Turtle Bay Resort in fun 2-3 foot surf, Seth Moniz sealed his second win of the season taking the Open Boys division at NSSA Hawaii's event #5. His first victory came last August at Lahaina Harbor when he claimed the Explorer Menehuene victory. Seth's outstanding results this season can be attributed to both his greatly improved surfing skills and his terrific attitude in the water and on the beach. Look out for this young Hawaiian at the Nationals this June! | |
Surfer of the Week - 1/29/2009
Lipoa Richards-Kahaleuahi
| Age: | 19 |  |
| Hometown: | Hana, Maui | |
| School: | UC Santa Barbara - Sophomore | Sponsors: | Roxy, Kazuma Surf Boards, Hi-Tech Surf Shop, Dakine |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Lipoa put together a sensational four event win-streak going undefeated in the College Women's division of the 2008-09 Southwest Conference College Season. The victory at the season finale held at HB's Ninth Street sandbars on January 24-25, improved her record to a perfect 4-0 to close out the regular season. Undoubtedly the UCSB sophomore will hope to carry the momentum of her outstanding run into the upcoming State Championships where she will be gunning for her first major NSSA title. | |
Surfer of the Week - 1/23/2009
Harley Taich
| Age: | 13 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Pacific Beach Charter-8th grade | Sponsors: | Reef, Dakine, Electric, Sharp Eye Surfboards, Matuse, South Coast Wind and Sea Surf Shop. |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | In powerful 4-8 foot surf at the Ocean Beach Pier Explorer, Harley was charging and brought home double victories in the Women's and Girls divisions. This impressive big wave performance for the young teenage up-and-comer from La Jolla will move her into the No. 1 spot in the Girls ratings and into third position in the Women's. | |
Surfer of the Week - 1/19/2009
Jake Halstead
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Charter School of San Diego | Sponsors: | Hurley, Rusty, DC, Nixon, Dakine, GFH, Rusty Boardhouse |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | A potent, building northwest swell was pounding the California coast and Jake took advantage of the stronger surf that was hitting the Southwest Explorer event #7 at San Diego's Ocean Beach Pier. Jake brought out his powerful shred arsenal in the solid 4-8 foot lefts and rights with explosive turns and big cracks off the lip to seal the Boys win. Better still, the victory will shoot him back into first in the Boys ratings. Jake also surfed to a impressive semifinal placing in the Juniors. | |
Surfer of the Week - 1/12/2009
Kanoa Igarashi
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | Huntington Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Dwyer Middle School-6th grade | Sponsors: | O'Neill, Spy, HSS, Java Point, Vans, Ocean & Earth, Nixon, Bubble Gum, Toyota of HB, Ratio Fin, On It, Alva Skates; |
| Equipment: | ||
| Claim to Fame: | Kanoa made history at the Huntington Beach Open sealing his 22nd victory of the 2008-09 season and breaking the NSSA regular season wins record of 21 previously set by Cory Arrambide in 2002. And the celebrating isn't over yet for the 11-year-old super grom who became the youngest person ever to hold the record. With many events still remaining on the schedule, it is highly likely that Kanoa's hot streak will continue and his amazing win record will continue to soar. | |