2009 NSSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW!
Friday, June 12, 2009 | Written by Janice Aragon
THE 2009 NSSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS PRESENTED BY NO FEAR
JUNE 17-20, 2009 SALT CREEK
National Interscholastic and Explorer Championship rounds and selected finals (check the National Championship Schedule of Events for complete information).
JUNE 23-27, 2009 LOWER TRESTLES
National Open and Explorer Championships preliminary rounds and finals (check the National Championship Schedule of Events for complete information).
California State Parks Governor’s Cup competition will run concurrently with the National Open Men’s and Women’s divisions.
2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS BANQUET
June 28 at 6:00pm at the Huntington Beach Hyatt
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
A complete schedule of the 2009 NSSA National Championships is available on the website at www.nssa.org. http://www.nssa.org/newsmanager/templates/NSSAHeatTimes.aspx?articleid=211&zoneid=7
CALIFORNA STATE PARKS GOVERNOR’S CUP
For the ninth consecutive year, the NSSA is pleased to team up with the California State Parks in presenting the prestigious Governor’s Cup trophy to the winners of the Open Men’s and Women’s divisions. The NSSA is honored to have the support of the State of California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California State Parks in their recognition of the National Championships and our commitment to education and scholastic surfing. The Governor’s Cup presentation will take place on Saturday, June 27 at the Lower Trestles contest site at 5:45pm.
31st ANNUAL NSSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Huntington Beach, CA, June 15, 2009 - The surfing nation will be watching from June 17 through June 27 when the 31st annual NSSA National Championships takes place at beautiful Salt Creek in Dana Point and America’s premier cobblestone reef at Lower Trestles located in the treasured San Onofre State Park. The largest and highest profile amateur surfing event in the country will witness hundreds of America’s top amateurs squaring off for prestigious National titles. The first leg of the 2009 National Championships which will include competition in the Interscholastic, Explorer and Airshow divisions, will get underway June 17 at Salt Creek and will run through Saturday, June 20. The championships will then shift 10 miles south to Lower Trestles June 23-27 where the atmosphere will turn electric with anticipation as the premier National Open Championships and California State Parks Governor’s Cup are showcased. Reputations will be made on amateur surfing’s biggest stage as the best student surfers in the nation are given the opportunity to catapult their game. The list of past National Champions reads like a who’s who of American surfing including current and former World Tour surfers Kelly Slater, Andy and Bruce Irons, Bobby Martinez, Rob Machado, Fred Patacchia, CJ and Damien Hobgood, Shea and Cory Lopez, Kalani Robb, Taylor Knox, Patrick Gudauskas and 2008 Mavericks Champion Greg Long.
DEFENDING OPEN WOMENS CHAMPION COURTNEY CONLOGUE
TOP RATED SURFERS IN THIS YEAR’S LINEUP
OPEN MENS
No. 1 ranked Tanner Hendrickson (Paia, HI) showed the caliber of surfer he was at the 2008 Nationals when he impressively made both the Open Men’s and Open Juniors finals. He continued to surf rock-solid during the 2008-09 Hawaii regular season posting up three victories. Last year Hendrickson came so close so this time he will definitely be pulling out all the stops for another crack at the Open Men’s title. Alex Smith (Kilauea, HI) was roughed up at Lowers last year with an upset loss in the second round. His struggles continued when a bad case of mono kept him out of the water for most of the 2008-09 season. However, he bounced back winning the season finale at Turtle Bay and then took third at the Hawaii Regional Championships. Battle-tested and ready, look for Alex to be on the mission to win his first National title. Christian Saenz (Huntington Beach, CA) had a break-out year winning the Southwest Conference Open Men’s division. His can-do attitude, sound fundamentals and overwhelming desire to succeed will fuel his championship run. The ultra smooth and polished Luke Davis (Capistrano Beach, CA) has enjoyed more success in the Men’s division this season than his true Juniors age category. He took the West Coast Regional cup over Saenz which confirms his status as a legitimate contender in both the Men’s and Juniors. Evan Thompson (Jacksonville Beach, FL) surfed fantastic and with sheer focus en route to his Open Men’s victory at the 2009 East Coast Regional Championships. His third place showing in the Open Juniors final last year is proof he can take it up a notch higher in the big events. The explosive regular-footer has the potential of becoming the first east coaster to win the coveted National title. From the Northeast, Balaram Stack (Point Lookout, NY) had the contest of his life at the East Coast Regionals putting on a masterful barrel and aerial show, making four finals and scoring three perfect 10’s. It was the best performance to date by a Northeast Conference surfer at a NSSA championship event, so if he can bring that amazing magnitude to the Nationals he has a genuine shot of achieving the ultimate reward. Please check the NSSA website at nssa.org for a complete ratings breakdown of the NSSA’s eight nationwide regional conferences.
OPEN JUNIORS
Everything points to this year’s Juniors field as being one of the most competitive in history. Talk about a loaded leaderboard-there is no shortage of decorated athletes here! No. 1 seed Conner Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA) is capable of a commanding performance with his power, skills and confidence. He’s been blowing up during the regular season winning both the Conference and Regional Junior titles. Keanu Asing (Ewa Beach, HI) has had a monster year. It started last June when he won his first National title in the Explorer Boys and he has not stepped off the gas pedal since. He won the NSSA Hawaii Conference title in Open Juniors, swept both the Open Men’s and Open Juniors victories at the Hawaii Regionals and then a month later won the Boy’s 16 & Under gold at the ISA World Junior Championship in Ecuador. His superstar stretch continued last weekend when he placed second at the Arnette Pro Junior in Newport Beach. Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA) has tremendous ability, exceptional wave proficiency and an all-around game and he has six National titles to prove it. He hasn’t missed bringing home at least one championship trophy since 2005. Bobby Martinez holds the male win-record with seven so odds are Andino, who is competing in five National divisions, could tie or surpass. Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL) has been the commanding presence from the east coast. He took second in the Open Juniors at the 2008 Nationals and more recently claimed his record-setting 13th Regional title at this year’s East Coast Championships. Geiselman is extremely versatile and vertical in any conditions, which is a huge plus at Lowers. He will be seeking his third career National title. Kanoa Igarashi (Huntington Beach, CA) made surfing headlines this year with his phenomenal record-smashing 30-win season. Although only 11-years-old and an indisputable contender in the 12 & unders, Igarashi has shown remarkable consistency in the upper age categories and he is always ready to step up to a challenge. Please check the NSSA website at nssa.org for a complete ratings breakdown of the NSSA’s eight nationwide regional conferences.
OPEN WOMENS
Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana, CA) sent a powerful message this season when she nailed her fifth Southwest Conference title and second consecutive Regional crown. The reigning National Champion and top seed will be wholeheartedly determined to defend her place on the mountain top while shooting for her second straight trifecta (Conference, Regional and National). Her performance on that do-or-die wave that landed her last year’s title was an incredible display of will and she will undoubtedly bring that killer instinct back to Lowers. Conlogue was last year’s hero but chief rival Malia Manuel (Kapaa, HI) pulled of some summer heroics of her own in July of 2008 when she became the youngest surfer to win the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Manuel looked like the girl to beat at both the Creek and Lowers last year but walked away without a victory. A National title is calling her name. Leila Hurst (Kilauea, HI) enjoyed an impressive Nationals last year winning double titles in the Explorer Girls and Explorer Women’s while taking third in the Open. Alessa Quizon (Waianae, HI) showed off her outstanding potential at the 2009 Hawaii Regionals claiming her second straight Open Women’s crown. Quizon at age 15 is one of the youngest frontrunners along with 14-year-old Lakey Peterson (Santa Barbara, CA). Peterson elevated her game this season and became more aggressive beating Conlogue twice in Southwest competition while also compiling an impressive 14-win record during the regular season. Please check the NSSA website at nssa.org for a complete ratings breakdown of the NSSA’s eight nationwide regional conferences.
THE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hawaii’s Elite Element Academy is back with a lethal lineup which includes Keanu Asing and Kiron Jabour and they are looking like prime candidates to defend their 2008 title. In 2008, they scored an overtime victory over a talent-loaded Carlsbad team who were hit hard by graduation and lost a number of key players this year. Nine-time National Champion San Clemente trounced everyone at the 2009 California State Championships and will undoubtedly make a serious bid for a National title. The Tritons controlled high school surfing in the early and mid 2000s but have not been to the Nationals podium since 2006. The once dominant Huntington Beach High School who hold the Interscholastic record with 17 National titles, are still seeking their first victory in 10 years. Jupiter High School took second at the NSSA East Coast Regionals and Manasquan will be representing the Northeast. The complete list of High Schools competing are Carlsbad, Carpinteria, Edison, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Marina, Newport Harbor, San Clemente, San Dieguito, Elite Element Academy, Jupiter, Manasquan
San Diego State University soared to the No. 1 position in the 2009 College rankings after a first place finish over Mira Costa at the California State Championships. Mira Costa jumped to the number two spot while Conference Champion Point Loma is looking vulnerable because of their 8th place finish at the State Championships. Defending and 11-time National Champion UC Santa Barbara had a tough year finishing No. 6 in the regular season and taking a fourth place at the State titles but you can never count out the perennial champs! From the east coast, the University of North Carolina Wilmington stole the collegiate spotlight from the Florida schools at the East Coast Regionals pounding the runner-up University of Central Florida team by a 40-point margin. The complete list of Colleges competing are Cal State University San Marcos, Cal State University Long Beach, Mira Costa, Point Loma Nazarene, San Diego State “A”, San Diego State “B”, Saddleback, UC Santa Barbara “A”, UC Santa Barbara “B”, UC Santa Barbara “C”, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, University of Central Florida, University of North Florida, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
San Clemente’s Shorecliffs Middle School is still the hot team to beat. They have won three straight National titles and demonstrated their unrelenting domination at the 2009 California State Championships winning by a near 50-point margin. Nevertheless the defending champions could be challenged by teams such as State Championship runner-up Marco Forster, the Dwyer team with Kanoa Igarashi who could play a huge role, and Hawaii’s Elite Element who will be bringing a Middle School into the National competition this year. The complete list of Middle Schools competing are Dwyer, Carpinteria, Elite Element, Marco Forster, Shorecliffs A, Shorecliffs B, Sowers A, Sowers B, Vista Del Mar, Kapaa.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BY THE NUMBERS
18 Consecutive years that the Nationals has been held at Lower Trestles
9 Consecutive years that the National Interscholastics have been held at Salt Creek
9 Consecutive years that the California State Parks Governor’s Cup partners with the NSSA
11 Carissa Moore’s overall record for National Championship titles
7 Most National titles by a male surfer Bobby Martinez
6 Most National titles by a current member Kolohe Andino
17 Huntington Beach High School’s overall record for most National Interscholastic titles
10 Years since Huntington Beach High School has won a National title
11 Most National Collegiate titles UC Santa Barbara
25 Open Men’s Champions from the West Coast
9 Open Men’s Champions from Hawaii
0 Open Men’s Champions from the East Coast
1 Won back-to-back Open Men’s titles Kalani Robb in 1993 and 1994
11 Former National Champions that are currently on the ASP World Tour
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WEBCAST PRESENTED BY NIKE 6.0
For the third year running, Nike 6.0 will present a three-day live webcast of the 2009 NSSA Nationals June 25-27. The webcast will take Nationals coverage to the next level with unprecedented coverage of the Open Championships and all of the National Championship and Governor’s Cup finals. Now, surfing fans worldwide will be able to watch all of the spectacular performances from the best surfers in the nation, the three peak days at Lower Trestles. In addition to the live action, scoring and results, the webcast will feature hosts Dave Stanfield, Peter Mel, Jodie Nelson and a roster of special guests to provide viewers with expert commentary and insights. Along with the webcast, photo and video highlights will be available at www.nssalive.com.
FOX COLLEGE SPORTS TO AIR NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
For the second straight year, Fox College Sports (FCS) will be televising the NSSA College Surfing Championships at Salt Creek. FCS will feature all of the hottest college matchups and highlights including complete coverage of the National College Men’s, Women’s and Longboard finals. The show is scheduled to air on June 26, 2009 at 8ET on FCS Pacific.
WAVEWATCH.COM FORECAST OUTLOOK FOR THE NSSA NATIONALS
Salt Creek June 17-20
The Salt Creek NSSA National Event is going to see plenty of waves, particularly for the first couple days of the contest. A solid mix of S-SW swell (180-220) will have pushed in from the Southern Hemisphere earlier in the week and will have just past its peak as the contest begins. The mix of S-SW swells will have most of the contest area seeing solid surf in the shoulder-head high range with some overhead sets mixing in at the “Point” at times. Look for the swell to hold strong through the 18th before fading slowly through the end of the contest period. – Adam Wright, Forecaster, Wavewatch.com
WAVEWATCH.COM FORECAST OUTLOOK FOR THE NSSA NATIONALS
Lower Trestles June 23-27
While we haven’t actually moved into the swell-production window for the NSSA National Event at Lowers the long-range forecast models are showing some positive signs. Traditionally Lowers is one of the most consistent breaks along this stretch of the
PARKING AT SALT CREEK AND LOWER TRESTLES
Salt Creek offers a large metered parking lot off of Ritz Carlton Drive which requires quarters so bring lot's of them. There is a path from the parking lot that leads to Salt Creek beach. At Lower Trestles, special events parking of $10.00 per day will be available at the State Parks parking lot at the Basilone Rd exit. Shuttle service provided by the NSSA will be available from the parking lot to the contest site from 6:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday-Saturday.
2009 NSSA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
The NSSA National Championships is the sixth of seven events in the 2009 NSSA Championship Series presented by No Fear. The 2009 Championship Series events include the Interscholastic State Championships at Church March 6-8 (completed), the Hawaii Championships at Kewalo Basin, HI March 21-26 (completed); the East Coast Championships at Sebastian Inlet, FL April 16-19 (completed); the NSSA Jr. Championships at Huntington Beach Pier, CA April 18 (completed); the West Coast Championships at Huntington Beach Pier, CA May 14-17 (completed); the NSSA National Championships at Salt Creek and Lower Trestles, CA June 17-27; the Northeast High School Championships at Ocean City, NJ October 19.
In addition to title sponsor No Fear, the NSSA National Championships is proud to have support from Nike 6.0, Huntington Surf and Sport, Surfing Magazine, WaveWatch, Sex Wax, No Fear Energy Drink. The NSSA is a member of Surfing America, the ISA-recognized National Governing Body for Surfing in the United States.