Team News

Twelve Team Riders Make 19 Finals and Take Seven Titles in the NSSA National Champs

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 July, 2008 : - - Irvine -- The Billabong amateur surf team charged the NSSA National last weekend capturing six National Titles. Twelve Billabong team members made nineteen finals, including winning the Open Women’s, Middle School Boys, Explorer Men’s, Explorer Juniors, Girl’s Explorer, Explorer Boys and Women’s Explorer.

Billabong finalists came from Northern and Southern California, the East Cost and Hawaii, underscoring the breadth as well as the depth of this amateur team.  “Billabong is so proud of the results earned by this world class team,” says Enich Harris Marketing Director of Billabong USA. “We were in the finals of nearly every category of the event.”

Fourteen-year-old prodigy Kolohe Andino, who took the Middle School Boys title, surfed in division’s above his age group, placing 3rd and sixth in the Boys and Junior Explorer categories respectively, surfing against 18-year-olds and holding his own. Kolohe obtained a new NSSA record by being the youngest competitor ever to make the Open Men’s Final.
 
Newly signed team rider Granger Larsen, was another tour de force. One of the most dynamic young competitors coming out of the USA, he won every heat he surfed in save one, taking the 2008 titles in both the Explorer Junior’s and Explorer Men’s categories and placing 2nd in the Open Men’s (where he lost his only heat in the final.)

“Coming from various regions of the country, I feel the whole team did well,” says Billabong’s Hawaiian team coach Rainos Hayes. “Some were not as familiar as others with the Lower Trestles break, but they made up for it in heart.”

Hawaii’s rising star Keanu Asing took home the gold in the Explorer Boys. Fellow Hawiian Seth Moniz made the finals of both the Menehune and Open Mini Grom divisions, while brother Josh Moniz captured a 3rd place trophy in Open Boys. East Coaster Evan Thompson took 3rd in a red hot Open Jr division while Santa Cruz hottie Nic Hdez and Hawaiian standout Kaimana Jaquias were outstanding performers throughout the contest both making it to the finals in their age groups.
 
The Billabong Girl’s were even more dominant that the men. Billabong’s Courtney Conlogue was named the 2008 NSSA Nationals Open Women’s Champion while Billabong team rider Lelia Hurst made the finals in three divisions winning both Explorer Women’s and Explorer Girls titles.

“Leila and Courtney have been surfing exceptionally well throughout the contest,” says Billabong Team Manager Megan Villa. “We are so proud of both of them; they have worked hard for these wins.”

In her final heat Courtney Conlogue took off on a bomb, did a top turn layback, then raced at a massive oncoming section where she threw it up, freefell, disappeared for two seconds and re-appeared to the ovation of every person on the beach. There was no doubt after that who would be the winner. Conlogue received $2000 in prize money and a new beach cruiser. She was also honored with the "Kalani Robb Most Inspirational Surfer Award" for which she received a new Al Merrick Surfboard.
 
Leila Hurst from Kauai excelled. She was the only surfer to make all three women’s/girls finals. She finished 3rd in the wave starved Open Women’s final. Hurst racked up 6 turns to the beach on a perfect scoring 10-point wave in the Explorer Girls final taking the win from rival surfer Malia Manuel. Competition was tight in the Explorer Women’s final but Hurst’s ability to keep her composure and surf strong led her to victory.

Billabong’s Alessa Quizon, the current Hawaii NSSA Open and Explorer Women’s Conference Champion, placed 3rd overall in the Explorer Women’s division. High School Women finalist Taylor Pitz placed 4th overall and was rewarded with $500 cash for holding one of the Top GPA's (4.4 GPA).

“This team has a great work ethic and stays cool in the pressure” says Billabong’s amateur team manger Chris Heffner. “We were looking for a lot from them and they all delivered.”

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Jim Kempton

Team - Surfersvillage