Welcome to the 2011 NSSA National Championships.
On behalf of the NSSA, I would like to welcome all competitors, parents, coaches, spectators and friends to the 2011 NSSA National Championships.
Building upon last year’s historic return to Huntington Beach Pier and our eleventh consecutive year at our beloved Salt Creek, the NSSA National Championships presented by Nike 6.0 is the largest national amateur event in the country. The Nationals will begin its eleven-day competition extravaganza on Thursday, June 16th at Salt Creek where the College, High School and Middle School teams will bring on their spirited battles for National title glory. Groundbreaking coverage of surfing will take place at Salt Creek as CBS Sports Network will broadcast a one-hour television show of the National College Championships as part of its Alt-Games. The marathon event will then shift north to the legendary beachbreak peaks of Surf City, U.S.A. June 26th through July 3rd, bringing high stakes and lights out surfing from the nation’s hottest up-and-comers. The National Open and Explorer Championships are the place where the NSSA’s best talents are showcased to the world. Hundreds of hungry surfers will bring their “A” games to HB’s center stage, surfing for a shot at the podium and bringing home the coveted national title.
The NSSA Nationals has long been considered the crystal ball into the future of the sport boasting a rich history of bar-raising performances. The directory of past champions reads like a who’s who of professional surfing: Kelly Slater, Dino Andino, Taylor Knox, Rob Machado, the Lopez brothers, Kalani Robb, Andy and Bruce Irons, CJ and Damien Hobgood, Bobby Martinez, Fred Patacchia, Greg Long, the Gudauskas brothers and a long list of others have made names for themselves with electrifying, title-winning displays. And we won’t soon forget the mind-blowing performance of two-time NSSA runner up Dane Reynolds. The performance launched him into the spotlight overnight as a budding super star. Glimpsing into the future, our most recent young graduates include Carissa Moore, Dusty Payne, John John Florence, Nat Young, Granger Larsen, Kolohe Andino, Conner Coffin, Evan Geiselman, Coco Ho and Courtney Conlogue, all of which have made huge statements in their early debuts in professional surfing and on the world stage.
I would like to take this opportunity to remember the passing of a few individuals who were very special to the organization. Our beloved founder and visionary Chuck Allen, 3-time World and National Champion Andy Irons, longtime Florida Gulf director and pioneer Yancy Spencer, the lovely and bighearted Lorraine “Mama G” Guthrie, and long-time crew member Donald Parker. With their own unique and remarkable qualities and contributions, we trust that their memories will continue to inspire us. The 2011 National Championships will be dedicated to our founder Chuck Allen where his vast surfing legacy will be honored and celebrated in his beloved Huntington Beach.
I offer my deepest thanks to the NSSA directors Danielle Beckmann, Gayline Clifford, Anthony French, Linda Johnston, Bobbi Lee, Paul Morrow and Larry “Meatface” Schmidt for their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in the interest of the NSSA and running a top-notch program for our members across the nation. And a huge thanks to our partners Nike 6.0, Surfing Magazine, Huntington Surf and Sport and Sex Wax for supporting the NSSA and scholastic youth surfing in America.
Congratulations to all of the members and teams that made the 2011 NSSA National Championships. This accomplishment represents a great deal of time, dedication and hard work — traits that will continue to serve you well throughout your lives. I know you will all surf your hearts out for national titles, but most important I hope that you maintain the friendships you will make and the experience you will get from competing at the highest level. When you get to the beach at either Salt Creek, Huntington Beach Pier or both, put your game face on and push the envelope. It’s guaranteed to be a breathtaking, suspenseful and action-packed 11 days. All we need is a big dose of Southwest swell. Have fun and hope to see you on the podium!
Janice Aragon
NSSA Executive Director
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