Surfing America Prime series regular season wraps up at HB Pier
By Andrea Swayne
Surfing America Prime series invitees took their last shot of the season as accumulating points toward qualifying for the upcoming Surfing America USA Championships in June.
May 9 and 10 marked event No. 6 of six in the 2014-2015 season in 2- to 4-foot surf on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier and competition was fierce.
The event was also the first time a Prime event was run using four-man priority system, introduced at this final event with hopes of giving surfers a chance at becoming familiar with it as priority rules will be introduced at this year’s championship.
“The kids were stoked on using the four-man priority and the surfing was top-notch once again… a perfect finish to another stellar year for Surfing America Prime. Next up USA champs at Lowers,” said Ryan Simmons, Surfing America junior team coach and Prime series announcer.
Local surfers took nine of 20 podium spots at the event.
Standouts included Colt Ward of San Clemente, who took his fourth win of the year in the Boys U18 division. With two of the six series event scores dropped, Ward’s turned in the perfect season. Conner Dand (San Clemente) was runner-up in the division. In Girls U18, San Clementeans Samantha Sibley and Malia Osterkamp claimed the third and fourth spots, respectively. Sibley was a double finalist also taking the No. 3 spot in Girls U16, behind runner-up Bethany Zelasko of Dana Point. Three of four places in Boys U14 were earned by San Clemente surfers—Crosby Colapinto (second), Kade Matson (third) and Taj Lindblad came in fourth, making his first-ever podium appearance in the Prime series.
Top youth shortboard surfers from across the country will meet at the Surfing America USA Championships, June 16 through 20 at San Onofre State Park, Lower Trestles. Adult shortboard, longboard and SUP divisions will compete June 12 through 14 at Cardiff Reef.
Prime regular season champions will be crowned at the USA Championships.
SURFING AMERICA PRIME EVENT NO. 6 RESULTS
BOYS U18: 1. Colton Ward, San Clemente, 16.24; 2. Conner Dand, San Clemente, 10.00; 3. John Mel, Santa Cruz, 8.43; 4. Eithan Osborne, Ventura, 5.17.
GIRLS U18: 1. Tia Blanco, Oceanside, 17.96; 2. Meah Collins, Costa Mesa, 12.73; 3. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente, 8.90; 4. Malia Osterkamp, San Clemente, 8.80.
BOYS U16: 1. Eithan Osborne, Ventura, 14.64; 2. Ryland Rubens, Pacific Beach, 14.03; 3. Braden Jones, Arroyo Grande, 12.37; 4. Sage Burke, Newport Beach, 10.64.
GIRLS U16: 1. Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad, 9.93; 2. Bethany Zelasko, Dana Point, 9.37; 3. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente, 8.67; 4. Tiare Thompson, La Jolla, 7.54.
BOYS U14: 1. Noah Hill, Venice, 14.93; 2. Crosby Colapinto, San Clemente, 14.00; 3. Kade Matson, San Clemente, 12.26; 4. Taj Lindblad, San Clemente, 6.87.
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