Nay Young : photo ASP North America

ASP 6-Star Prime WQS Men's Event
Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz California
2 - 8 November 2009

Live Coverage  |  Results/Photos/Videos etc

Quarterfinalists Decided at Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 4 November, 2009 : - - Santa Cruz, California - TThe Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade-3 Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships, which runs in conjunction with the ASP WQS 6-Star PRIME O’Neill Cold Water Classic California, moved through Rounds one and two today in testing two-foot (1 metre) waves at the backup site of Waddell Creek in Santa Cruz, California, deciding the event’s Quarterfinalists.

The Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships’ ASP Grade-3 status plays a crucial role in all surfers’ quests towards qualification for the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships held in Narrabeen, Australia each January, with all top campaigners looking to compile their best four results on the regional series to finish within the top three on the ratings to qualify for the prestigious event.

Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 18, who claimed the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships in 2007 and the O’Neill Cold Water Classic in 2008, utilized precision backhand surfing on two Waddell Creek right-handers to advance though to the Quarterfinals after suffering a disappointing early round loss in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California yesterday.

“It was a good heat for me,” Young said. “I didn’t think my first wave was that good. I was able to get a six and a seven right away and that allowed me to relax a little. I felt in rhythm in that heat and my board was working really well.”

The local goofy-footer is currently sitting in the No. 2 position on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series ratings and is out to overtake current ratings leader Dillon Perillo (Malibu, CA), 19, in front of his home crowd at the last event on the 2009 calendar.

“I want to do well here,” Young said. “To win this event would be great and I could still take the regional pro junior title if I do well enough. I won this event two years ago and then I won the ‘QS last year, so although I lost in the ‘QS, it’d be nice to win this event again.”

Perillo, who has been a finalist in each ASP North America Pro Junior Series event that he’s entered this year, has dominated the regional circuit throughout the year, but has recently suffered an ankle injury which is hindering his performance at the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships.

“In the beginning of the heat I couldn’t even hit the whitewash,” Perillo said. “I was pretty much balancing off of my front foot the whole time. My leg is shaky. It doesn’t hurt that bad anymore, it’s just weak and awkward.”

Despite the injury, Perillo displayed poise in his heat and was able to secure a spot in the Quarterfinals with a last minute seven-point ride in his Round of 32 heat and is out to post another solid result at the critical event despite the wounded ankle.

“ I’ve got to get it all back,” Perillo said. “It just takes awhile. I need the points though, I missed the other Grade-3, so I need to get a result in Santa Cruz.”

Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, who is the defending ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion, is another competitor who is out to post a top result to secure his position for the ASP World Junior Championships in Narrabeen, Australia this January.

“I’m in one of the top transfer spots for Worlds and I want to do well here,” Arrambide said. “I’ve been working hard for this event, so hopefully the waves will get better and we’ll end up back at the Lane.”

Alejo Muniz (Santa Catarina, BRA), 20, who has been a standout in the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California, smashed the days highest heat total of a 15.27 out of 20 and felt at home in the beachbreak conditions of Waddell Creek.”

“I’m really stoked,” Muniz said. “My boards feel real good and the waves remind me of my home break, so I feel comfortable out here at the beachbreak. Hopefully I can make more heats and head back to Steamer Lane.”

The Brazilian talent is hoping to keep his momentum alive by competing in both the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships and the O’Neill Cold Water Classic California and feels surfing as many heats as possible keeps him in contest mode.

“It’s great to surf in this event because I’m still competing while the other guys on the ‘QS aren’t surfing heats today,” Muniz said. “Surfing in both the junior and the ‘QS is great because it keeps me in the contest frame of mind.”

Event organizers will reconvene at 7am local time at Steamer Lane to make a call on the day’s schedule. For all of the LIVE O’Neill Cold Water Classic California and Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships action log on to www.oneill.com/cwc/california

Oakley Pro Junior Round of 32 Results:
Heat 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.27, Matt Meola (HAW) 10.03, Tyler Newton (HAW) 9.86, John John Florence (HAW) 8.03
Heat 2: Andrew Doheny (USA) 13.37, Fisher Heverly (USA) 12.90, Granger Larsen (HAW) 12.00, Rob Kelly (USA) 10.60
Heat 3: Cody Thompson (USA) 12.63, Tonino Benson (HAW) 12.63, Phillip Goold (USA) 7.57, Levi Gonzales (HAW) 6.37
Heat 4: Luke Davis (USA) 9.89, Conner Coffin (USA) 9.00, Chase Wilson (USA) 8.70, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 8.24
Heat 5: Dylan Goodale (HAW) 11.07, Cory Arrambide (USA) 10.10, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 10.00, Jeffrey Lukasik (USA) 5.23
Heat 6: Evan Geiselman (USA) 13.07, Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.40, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 11.53, Brent Reilly (USA) 9.55
Heat 7: Nat Young (USA) 14.83, Evan Thompson (USA) 13.30, Nick Rupp (USA) 8.93, Matt Lewis-Hewitt (AUS) 8.40
Heat 8: Dillon Perillo (USA) 12.00, Michael Dunphy (USA) 11.37, Balaram Stack (USA) 10.87, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 9.20

Oakley Pro Junior Round of 48 Results:
Heat 1: Matt Meola (HAW) 12.50, Rob Kelly (USA) 9.57, Ford Archbold (USA) 6.43, Brett Barley (USA) 5.63
Heat 2: Granger Larsen (HAW) 15.00, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.43, Mike McCabe (USA) 11.17, Matt Pagan (USA) 3.13
Heat 3: Phillip Goold (USA) 15.17, Chase Wilson (USA) 12.00, Makai McNamara (HAW) 7.74, Taylor Thorne (USA) 6.96
Heat 4: Luke Davis (USA) 13.66, Tonino Benson (HAW) 12.67, Gabe Garcia (USA) 10.67, Nic Hernandez (USA) 5.80
Heat 5: Dylan Goodale (HAW) 13.44, Oliver Kurtz (USA) 10.27, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 7.73, Dane Zaun (USA) 5.27
Heat 6: Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.34, Jeffrey Lukasik (USA) 8.37, Jeronimo Vargas (BRA) 8.17, Hunter Heverly (USA) 7.37
Heat 7: Matt Lewis-Hewitt (AUS) 14.00, Quinn McCrystal (USA) 11.77, Kyle Kennelly (USA) 8.84, Tayler Brothers (USA) 6.53
Heat 8: Balaram Stack (USA) 11.06, Nick Rupp (USA) 11.00, Spencer Regan (USA) 10.43, Alex Smith (HAW) 9.16

Check the Live Coverage 

Click here for O’Neill Cold Water Classic California and Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships action 
For additional Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships information go to www.oakleyprojunior.com
 
Special thanks to all of the sponsors of the 2009 O’Neill Cold Water Classic and Oakley Pro Junior North American Championships: O’Neill, Oakley, Red Bull, Corralejo Tequila, SURFER and SURFING, as well as, the official hotel partner, The Dream Inn and Aquarius Restaurant, and food partner, Whole Foods Market.

 
Event Forecast:

Thursday (11/5):  Swell from ET Lupit is to be drifting down with residual energy at 3 ft @ 12 secs resulting in surf about waist high at the Lane and a bit inconsistent. South winds of 5 kts is expected early and building over out waters, putting a pretty good bump on it and building through the day. That same high tide in the morning (6 ft at 11 AM ) could make sets far and few between. Tide dropping to -0.6 ft at sunset.
 
Friday (11/6):  The first leading edge of new rumored Gulf energy is to start hitting early, building through the day with swell to 7 ft @ 12 secs mid-afternoon resulting in surf in the 5 ft range (head high) at the Lane.  Calm winds early and glassy conditions forecast, with a light west flow in the afternoon and perhaps a little textured, but not bad. Swell Direction to be 290 degrees, but turning north fast.
 
Saturday (11/7):  Assuming the models are correct, possible large north swell is to start arriving pushing 15 ft @ 16 secs, with surf double overhead plus at the Lane.  Swell Direction 305+ degrees.  High pressure is to be building in with wind calm early and glassy conditions, turning north 15 kts in the afternoon and chop building in over the exposed areas of the outer point.  Tide building to 5.9 ft at noon should make for some solid sets in the early morning heats.  
 
Sunday (11/8): Large north swell to continue at 13 ft @ 15 secs from 308 degrees. Surf double overhead plus early. Winds north 10 kts early and nearly clean at the Lane, then building in the afternoon with chop pushing into the bay. High tide of 5.5 ft expected at 1 PM favoring the early morning heats.
 
Check the Live Coverage 

Previous reports:
# 1 : O'Neill Cold Water Classic returns home to Santa Cruz
# 2 : O’Neill CWC Santa Cruz upgraded to 6-Star Prime event
# 3 : Top seeds prep for O'Neill CWC California 6 star Prime 
# 4 : New swell delivers on opening day of O'Neill CWC Calif

www.oneill.com
www.oakleyprojunior.com
www.aspnorthamerica.org

About O’Neill
O'Neill, the original California surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O'Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world's first neoprene surf wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop soon after.
 
While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O'Neill's set of core values - innovation in style and technology - has seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of action sports. From the first neoprene surf wetsuit and board leash, to the world's first stitchless board shorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O'Neill's spirit of innovation will always drive the company forwards.
 
Today, O'Neill can be found the world over. In touch with its rich heritage and the universal appeal of board riding culture, O'Neill will always be committed to growing its reputation as one of the world's leading youth lifestyle brands based on a unique half-century of history as the First Name in the Water.
 
About Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG)
Reaching more than two million enthusiasts, Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG) is the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas. In addition to publishing leading lifestyle publications such as Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Bike, Powder and Canoe & Kayak, Source Interlink Media’s ASG delivers a cutting-edge network of online properties, events and television programming. 

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