The 2011 NSSA National Championships saw some of the nations top surfing talents battle it out through the Open Mens Round 3 in Huntington Beach today. The Hawaiian’s were clean standouts throughout the day. Among them were Ezekiel Lau (HI), Kalani David (HI), and Ian Gentil (HI), putting on some of the day’s best performances in 1-3′ contestable waves.
Before the men took center stage on the South side of the pier, the Open Boys Quarter Final saw Kaulana Apo (HI) score the highest points of the day – 14. The Open Mens competition was followed by Open Mini Groms, Open Mens Round 3, and the Open Womens Round 2 concluding the day’s action.
“The surf has really picked up today,” said NSSA’s Janice Aragon. “The waves are providing more scoring opportunities for the competitors and that’s really important when you get into the later rounds. We want to see the cream rise to the top in the variety of conditions that we’ve experienced this week in Huntington Beach.”
Weeding out the best-of-the-best clearly happen throughout the day as surfers like Leila Hurst (HI), in the Womens Open Round 2, put on performances that shook their competition to the core. But Bailey Nagy (HI) and Honolua Blomfield (HI) answered back with their heats highest scores and are eager for their chance to take home the title tomorrow.
In the Open Junior Quarter Finals, the crux of the action happened in Heat 4 as Kalani David (HI), Parker Coffin (CA) and Ethan Carlston (CA) put on quite the show, jockeying for the 2nd place advancing position. As the minutes ticked down, Kalani David sat comfortably in 1st with 12.6 points. Parker Coffin’s strategic approach saw him narrowly advance past Carlston by an .80 margin due to an interference and minimal sets.
“I sat there my whole heat,” said Parker Coffin. “I caught two waves in the last few minutes and somehow made it on those waves. I wasn’t giving Carlston or Hdez an inch the whole time.”
Tune in at 7am tomorrow to catch a glimpse of the Mayor Cup trophy, modeled by the legendary surfer Peter Townend, followed by Open Boys Semi-Final, Open Mens Quarter Final, Open Womens Quarter Final, Open Juniors Semi-Final, Open Girls Semi-Final, Open Mini Groms Semi-Final, Open Mens Semi-Final, Open Womens Semi-Final, Open Longboard Final, Open Boys Final, Open Girls Final, Open Juniors Final,, Open Mini Groms Final, Open Womens Final, and the Open Mens final.
In addition to all of the live action, scoring and results, the webcast also features hosts Dave Stanfield, Saxon Boucher, Pete Mel and a roster of other special guest hosts.
The last day of the Nike 6.0 webcast of the NSSA National Open Championships will be available for online users to view in a high and low bandwidth stream at www.nssalive.com with the same superior picture quality viewers enjoyed from the acclaimed webcast of the recent Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro.
For the webcast schedule, surfer profiles and event archives including results, photos, video highlights and more log onto
Surfline.com, the official forecaster for this year’s NSSA Nationals presented by Nike 6.0, is expecting the event to see small-scale surf prevailing through the weekend. A minor mix of local windswell and small Southern Hemisphere swell will set up 1-2′ and occasional 3′ faces both Saturday and Sunday. Early mornings are expected to be especially challenging with the negative low tide, seeing surf conditions improve through the morning with the tide push. Wind will be light in the mornings with overcast skies and some patchy fog possible, with clearing skies and moderate westerly wind in the afternoons.
Partners such as Nike 6.0, SURFING Magazine and official event forecaster, Surfline.com, are instrumental to the execution and dissemination of this event. Their support is greatly appreciated.
About Nike 6.0
The Nike 6.0 brand defines innovation and embodies the creativity of youth, united by action. Nike 6.0 delivers footwear and apparel to support the new generation of action sports athletes who are changing the worlds of surf, snow, moto, BMX, wake and freeski. Their unlimited potential and contagious energy deliver the future through performance and lifestyle. www.nike6.com
About SURFING Magazine
SURFING Magazine is the official storyteller of modern surf culture. We seek out the personalities and ideas that define our community — progressive, authentic and young, with a focus on the experiences and lifestyle that make surfing more than a sport. Travel. Photography. People. Fashion. Music. Art. The magazine is published 12 times per year by Source Interlink Media’s Actions Sports Group (ASG)/Grind Networks, an integrated network of magazines, digital properties, events and television programming. www.surfingmagazine.com.
Media Contact:
Monet Quick-Smits
ASG / Grind Networks Public Relations
P: (949) 370-7083
monet.quick@sorc.com
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