Vans Pier Classic
Presented by Jack's Surfboards

Ezekiel Pro Junior
Presented by Jack's Surfboards

Men's 2 Star WQS Event #6
Grade 2 Men's ASP Junior Event
The Pier, Huntington Beach
26 - 30 March 2008

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

International Field Takes Top Honors at Vans Pier Classic Day 2

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 March, 2008 : - - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America continued its first west coast event of the year, The Van's Pier Classic presented by Jack's Surfboards, today and the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 2-star saw an international field for top professionals relish in the clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer at Huntington Beach Pier.

Today’s action saw the completion of Rounds 2 and 3 with talent stacking up as the southern-hemi swell filled in throughout the day. The competitive field has been narrowed down to 64 surfers remaining in the event, and they will continue their campaigns towards the Van’s Pier Classic title, as well as the valuable ratings points towards qualification of the ASP World Tour throughout the weekend.

Chris Drummy (Dana Point, CA) posted a last-minute victory, moving from last place to first with the day’s highest single wave heat score of a 9.25 out of possible 10.00 points. Drummy followed up with a second score of 8.00 out of a possible 10.00 points posting the highest combined heat total of the event, a 17.25 out of possible 20.00 points.

“I got a slow start in that heat, and guys were getting really good scores, but I just stuck to my game plan and decided to just stick to this one spot instead of paddling up and down the beach,” Drummy said. “As time was winding down I caught that really good right, and as soon as I paddled back out, another set came, and I got another really good wave. I was counting myself out there in the end because the other guys were surfing good, but I got lucky.”

Dege O’Connell (Hana, HI) was another standout this morning, nailing a 9.00 out of a possible 10 to advance through his Round 2 heat. O’Connell displayed the patience needed in order to catch the wave that was responsible for his heat victory.

“Everyone had already caught waves, so I really just wanted to get a score,” O’Connell said. “I just waited for a good one, and that set came. I hit that first big section, and then just worked it through to the inside. I had a couple of sick sections through to the inside, and got the wave I needed.”

Stand out surfing was performed by Bruno Rodrigues, (Huntington Beach, CA) who dominated both his Rounds 2 and 3 heats. Rodrigues has recently moved to Huntington Beach from Florianopolous, Brazil, and his time spent at Huntington Beach pier was demonstrated in both heat victories.

“I feel great. I live here now, and I’ve been surfing here every day,” Rodrigues said. “I love Huntington. I have a nice board right now, and a new shaper, so I’m happy.”  Kai Barger (Haiku, HI) overpowered the competition in his Round 3 heat with an impressive combination score of 15.75 out of a possible 20.00 points. The young Hawaiian is in stellar form and advanced through to Round 4 with ease.

“I realized once the heat started that there were hardly any waves that were really breaking, so I knew I just had to get my flow going, and just tried to catch a lot of waves,” Barger said. “I think that’s the key when it gets super inconsistent, just catch as many waves as you can, and try to get into a rhythm out there.”

The Van’s Pier Classic will continue tomorrow with Round 4 of competition. The Ezekiel Pro Junior (an ASP Grade-2 event) will run Rounds 1 and 2 following the completion of the men’s Round 4. 

RESULTS: Vans Pier Classic pres. by Jack’s Surfboards

Round 2: 128 surfers remaining (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 9: Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 15.10, Macy Mullen (HAW) 10.5, Jason Harris (USA) 9.5, Michael Bailey (USA) 4.75
Heat 10: Travis Mellem (USA) 14.5, Jamie Parkhurst (USA) 9.85, Sean Poynter (USA) 6.75, Javier Swayne (PER) 3.95
Heat 11: Dege O’Connell (HAW) 13.75, Rylan McCart (USA) 9.85, Matt Myers (USA) 7.75, Nick Skawinski (USA) 7.75
Heat 12: Sean Tubbs (USA) 11.75, Brent Reilly (USA) 11.50, Tom Rezvan (USA) 8.30, Colin Schildhauer (USA) 6.70
Heat 13: Nat Young (USA) 14.15, Brighton Brandenburger (USA) 13.5, Luke Davis (USA) 10.5, Nick Kovack (USA) 8.65
Heat 14: Andrew Gesler (USA) 10.00, Adam Wickwire (USA) 9.25, Marshall Alberga (USA) 5.35, Mike Howard (5.25)
Heat 15: Kiron Jabour (HAW) 14.90, Tommy Bursian (PRI) 11.35, Tyler Stanaland (USA) 9.65, Rory Beach (ZAF) 6.85
Heat 16: Ian Rotgans (USA) 12.75, Chase Newsom (USA) 11.50, Scott Posner (USA) 6.05, Eddie Lester (USA) 5.70

Round 3: 96 surfers remaining (1st and 2nd advance)
Heat 1: Peter Mel (USA) 12.25, Shane Murray (USA) 9.75, Kekoa Cazimero (Haw) 8.25, Josh Montgomery (USA) 5.10
Heat 2: Leif Engstrom (USA) 11.80, Richie Collins (USA) 11.45, Cheyne Cottrell (USA) 9.40, Chris Abad (USA) 9.00
Heat 3: Ted Navarro (USA) 10.50, Justin Swartz (USA) 10.00, Casey Landvogt (USA) 9.20, Dane Johnson (USA) 6.65
Heat 4: Chris Drummy (USA) 17.25, Roger Eales 12.40, Michael Hoisington (USA) 10.75, Brandon Ragenovich (USA) 10.10
Heat 5: Matt Keenan (USA) 12.75, David Giddings (USA) 11.40, Matt Meola (HAW) 9.75, Kellen Ellison (USA) 9.5
Heat 6: Cody Thompson (USA) 12.25, Kyle Ramey (HAW) 12.00, Zach Keenan (USA) 7.40, Ian Ekberg (USA) 6.90
Heat 7: Ryan Briggs (USA) 15.10, Heath Walker (AUS) 12.85, Bobby Morris (USA) 11.75, Billy Kemper (HAW) 8.80
Heat 8: Brandon Guilmette (USA) 15.50, Danny Fuller, (HAW) 10.00, Jensen Callaway (USA) 9.20, Ryan Sakal (USA) 7.35
Heat 9: Bruno Rodrigues (USA) 14.40, Casey Brown (HAW) 9.75, Jamie Parkhurst (USA) 9.40, Jeremy Johnston (USA) 8.90
Heat 10: Travis Mellem (USA) 12.75, Macy Mullen (HAW) 11.5, Layne Harrison (USA) 9.10, Tarik Khashoggi (USA) 6.65
Heat 11: Kai Barger (HAW) 15.75, Brent Reiley (USA) 10.90, Sean Hayes (USA) 10.40, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 6.35
Heat 12: Sean Tubbs (USA) 10.40, Blake Jones (USA) 9.00, John Daniels (USA) 7.00, Rylan McCart (USA) 6.95
Heat 13: Adam Wickwire (USA) 12.25, Nat Young (USA) 12.25, Scott Hammonds (USA) 9.75, Sean Maceron (USA) 6.00
Heat 14: Matt Mohagen (USA) 12.10, Brighton Brandenburger (USA) 11.35, Michel Flores  10.00, Andrew Gessler 3.50
Heat 15: Kahea Heart (HAW) 12.50, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 11.15, Chase Newsome (USA) 10.35, Kevin Kapsky (HAW) 1.85
Heat 16: Jason Miller (USA) 13.90, Ian Rotgans (USA) 10.60, Tommy Bursian (PRI) 9.65, Tony Adams (USA) 7.85

About Vans
Vans supports and promotes surfing through a full line of surf footwear and apparel, events such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing™ and through sponsorship of many of the world’s top surfers such as Joel Tudor, Timmy Reyes, Karina Petroni and Nathan Fletcher.

About Jack's Surfboards
Jack's Surfboards reached a milestone in 2007 celebrating it's 50th year in business. Since 1957, Jack's has built a reputation as an icon in surf retail. It has been the place to go for surf fans around the world to find the newest surf products and clothing labels. Offering a huge selection of surfboards, wetsuits, skateboards, snowboards, apparel and accessories, Jack's is Orange County's premier surf shop.

For more information on Vans and the Vans Pier Classic, visit www.vans.com.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Vans Pier Classic & Ezekiel Pro Jr. launch California leg
# 2 : 3rd Annual Vans Pier Classic takes over Huntington Pier
# 3 : Vans Pier Classic opens with great conditions at HB Pier
# 4 : Coming soon  

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