QUIKSILVER SURF SHOP CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY SURFER

Region: Southwest ( San Diego to Orange County)
Shop: Laguna Surf & Sport, Laguna Beach, CA
Team: Matt Johnson, Jason Watson, Bron Hussenstam, and Hans Hagan.

The first team to secure one of the four coveted spots, by way of Southwest Qualifier, was Laguna Surf & Sport. With cagey veterans like Hans Hagen and Bron Huessenstam anchoring the team, super grom “It is” Matt Johnson adding a youthful spark and Jason “Watto” Watson calling the shots the LSS team could have the perfect combination of experience and exuberance. Living in such close proximity to Lowers also gives them somewhat of a home-field advantage. “The team’s fired up,” reports Mr. Watson, “bring it on!”

Region: Southeast ( South Carolina to Florida)
Shop: Quiet Flight, Cocoa Beach FL
Team: Javier Roviera, Cole Abernathy, Dave Awbrey, and Bryan Hewitson.

While the Southeast Qualifier was plagued by a five-week flat spell in Florida and two event cancellations, the little qualifier that could was eventually blessed with a little north swell. The gladiator’s pit that is Sebastian Inlet became, as Matt Kechele reported, “an arena for a pack of surf-starved monkeys, grabbing every wave in sight.” And while there was no shortage of talent in the water, it was Quiet Flight Surf Shop out of Cocoa Beach, Florida, that came out on top. The team, comprised of Dave Awbrey, Bryan Hewitson, Cole Abernathy and Javier Roviera, is bringing their solid blend of team tactics and wave savvy out west. And one thing to consider WCT standout Damien Hobgood is a Quiet Flight boy…just food for thought.

Region: South Central West ( Seal Beach to Santa Cruz)
Shop: Revolution Surf Shop, Camarillo CA
Team: John Villela, Jesse Mola, Josh Curran, and Nathaniel Curran.

Proving that no matter how glorious the hype, a surf contest is still a surf contest; the South Central West Qualifier was cursed with the most stereotypical of contest conditions—two-foot, bumpy, mushy and all-around difficult to perform in. But as with the other qualifiers, these are all talented surfers and the chance to surf Lowers alone with three of your friends serves as ample motivation for most; the glowing chance to win a $10,000 prize doesn’t hurt either. Making their way down from Ventura, it was the fellas from Revolution Surf Shop that took the event, and in doing so claimed the third spot in the Lowers finale. Headed up by the brotherly duo of Josh and Nathaniel Curran, and supported by the likes of the Jesse Mota and John Villela, the talent-rich Revolution team has the ability and determination to make the 2004 Surf Shop Challenge theirs.

Region: Northeast ( North Carolina to Maine)
Shop: Whalebone, Nags Head NC
Team: Mike Schirmer, Pat McManus, Tim Cole, Todd Pace

And last, but by no means least, came the Northeast Qualifier held at Manasquan Inlet in New Jersey. With the Jersey boys out in force, and ruling their spot by force, it was the underdogs (but don’t them that) from North Carolina’s Whalebone Surf Shop that snuck away with the forth and final spot in the Lowers’ final. If Pat McManus, Mike Shirmier, Tim Cole and Todd Pace can dethrone the Manasquan locals, there’s no telling how far they can push the other finalists. Strategy and a well-honed Outer Banks attack will help the Whalebone team as they venture to Southern California. And while a victory would be sweet, as Pat McManus remarks, “just having the opportunity to surf Trestles with three other guys out is a reward of its own.”