Surfer the Week - Archives (2008)
Surfer of the Week - 6/29/2009
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. |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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 |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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. |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Colton Larson
| Age: | 18 |  |
| Hometown: | Huntington Beach, Ca | |
| School: | Huntington Beach High School-12th grade | Sponsors: | Huntington Surf and Sport |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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 |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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 |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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 |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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. |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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. |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Rusty Phillipy
| Age: | 45 |  |
| Hometown: | Cardiff by the Sea, Ca | |
| School: | -- | Sponsors: | Hurley, Reef, GFR Surfboards |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Conner Coffin
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | Santa Barbara, Ca | |
| School: | Carpiniteria Home Base | Sponsors: | Hurley, Red Bull, Channel Islands Surfboards, Globe, Oakley, Sex Wax |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Peter Polanski
| Age: | 17 |  |
| Hometown: | Indian Harbor Beach | |
| School: | Florida Virtual School Satellite High School | Sponsors: | MADA, Etnies, CT Taylor Surfboards, Beachside Physical Therapy |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Keanu Asing
| Age: | 15 |  |
| Hometown: | Ewa Beach, Hi | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy | Sponsors: | Billabong, Von Zipper, Local Motion, Fitted Hawaii, Blackline Mfg, Vertra. |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Luke Gordon
| Age: | 9 |  |
| Hometown: | Pawleys Island, South Carolina | |
| School: | Waccamaw Elementary- 3rd grade | Sponsors: | Tavik Clothing, Perfection Surfboards, Village Surf Shop |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Seth Moniz
| Age: | 11 |  |
| Hometown: | Honolulu, Hi | |
| School: | Elite Element Academy-6th grade | Sponsors: | Billabong, TSCS, Da Kine |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Lipoa Richards-Kahaleuahi
| Age: | 19 |  |
| Hometown: | Hana, Maui | |
| School: | UC Santa Barbara - Sophomore | Sponsors: | Roxy, Kazuma Surf Boards, Hi-Tech Surf Shop, Dakine |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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. |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
Jake Halstead
| Age: | 14 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Charter School of San Diego | Sponsors: | Hurley, Rusty, DC, Nixon, Dakine, GFH, Rusty Boardhouse |
| 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 - 6/29/2009
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; |
| 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. | |
Surfer of the Week - 6/29/2009
Skip McCullough
| Age: | 13 |  |
| Hometown: | La Jolla, Ca | |
| School: | Muirlands Middle School-7th grade | Sponsors: | Jet Pilot, Dragon, FCS, Gorilla Grip, Pacific Drive Surf Shop. |
| Claim to Fame: | You can say that Skip McCullough received a perfect birthday gift. On Sunday, January 4, just one day shy of his 13th birthday, Skip posted his first ever perfect 10 score on a screaming right tube in his quarterfinal Menehuene heat at the Pacific Beach Explorer. In solid, building 3-5 foot peaks at Crystal Pier, Skip pulled into the hollow cylinder, disappeared for around 4 seconds and then emerged to a cheering crowd before finishing the wave off with a big frontside lip blast. | |
Surfer of the Week - 6/29/2009
Evan Barton
| Age: | 16 |  |
| Hometown: | Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina | |
| School: | J. T. Hoggard High School | Sponsors: | Volcom, Hotbuttered,Perfection, Vestal,Blackline, DVS and Sweetwater Surf Shop. |
| Claim to Fame: | After two events Evan is the current points leader in Explorer Juniors, holding down a strong second in Open Mens and currently in 4th place in Explorer Mens. Look for big things from this surfer come April 2009 at the NSSA East Coast Championships at Sebastian Inlet! | |