Primed for Greatness

Surfing America Prime at Church Beach sees seven local finalists taking home the hardware

By Andrea Swayne

The Surfing America invitation only Prime series came home for event No. 2 on Oct. 4 and local competitors took full advantage.

The weather was hot and so was the surfing at San Onofre State Park’s Church Beach.  The showdown, pitting some of the country’s best U18 surfers vying for spots in the Surfing America USA Championships and ultimately Team USA, provided a great stage for local talent.

Home break advantage coupled with abundant waves in the 4- to 6-foot range made for a great show among all of the competitors and finals appearances by tri-city-based surfers who claimed seven of the 20 trophies.

San Clementeans Colt Ward and Tia Blanco earned top honors in the U18 divisions for their powerful and confident performances. Malia Osterkamp, also from San Clemente, delivered a runner-up finish in Girls U18 that gave Blanco a run for her money and Cole Houshmand’s double division work earned him second-place trophies in Boys U18 and U16. Jake Davis of Capo Beach made the top three in Boys U18 taking home a third-place trophy and Cameron Duby of San Juan Capistrano came in fourth in Girls U16.

The next Prime event is set for December 13-14 at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, followed by Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane on January 10 and 11.

RESULTS:

Surfing America Prime, Event No. 2, October 4, San Onofre State Park

 BOYS U18: 1. Colt Ward, San Clemente; 2. Cole Houshmand, San Clemente; 3. Jake Davis, Capistrano Beach; 4. Jordy Collins, Carlsbad.

GIRLS U18: 1. Tia Blanco, San Clemente; 2. Malia Osterkamp, San Clemente; 3. Caroline Marks, Florida; 4. Ashley Held, Santa Cruz.

BOYS U16: 1. Sean Woods, Ventura; 2. Cole Houshmand, San Clemente; 3. Nick Marshall, Encinitas; 4. Tyler Gunter, Newport Beach.

GIRLS U16: 1. Caroline Marks, Florida; 2. Meah Collins, Costa Mesa; 3. Tiare Thompson, La Jolla; 4. Cameron Duby, San Juan Capistrano.

BOYS U14: 1. Nick Marshall, Encinitas; 2. Tommy McKeown, Oxnard; 3. Noah Hill, Venice; 4. Sage Burke, Newport Beach.

Click here for a photo gallery of shots from the event.