NSSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
OPEN JUNIORS ROUND 2 HEATS 5-8
OPEN MENS ROUND 1 HEATS 1-23
by Matt Lundgren
SurferMag.com Correspondent
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Lowers awoke Thursday morning with clean waist-high lines, glassy chest-high sets, and grommets. Aside from shave ice from No Fear, the white temple tent of Nike 6.0 offered plenty of space to lounge, cross-train with Guitar Hero, and ogle over kicks in the museum cases (not to mention surfing Lowers with just three other guys). It’s no wonder the young ones were running around with such big smiles.
But, a National Title is on the line after all, and 5G’s is a hefty hunk of change to just about anyone right now so when it came heat time, the several interference calls made it clear. These grommets were hungry.
In the morning gloom, Kolohe Andino kicked off his day with a solid 15.75 to advance out of Juniors Round 2 Heat 5 with Lahiki Minamishin. The two would go on to post heat-winning scores in the Mens competition as well.
As the morning progressed, the wind was kind enough to move along the fog, but left an unwelcome bump on the water for the rest of the day. With the rising tide, heat draw and wave selection became key.
The early afternoon brought a drop off in consistency, producing lulls long enough to get some summer reading done. But coming straight out of Long Island, a casted up Balaram Stack appeared to have done some homework of his own, managing to find some fun, workable lefts. “I was just waiting for the sections on lefts I had seen,” said Stack, who advanced with a heat-winning 13.50.
While the competitors managed to make good on what they were given, the waves didn’t seem to pick up again until midway through heat 17, just in time for Luke Davis. “I wanted to redeem myself after getting one wave this morning,” he said. After bowing out of the Juniors earlier in the day, Davis was the last to check in for his Mens heat, but first when it mattered. After putting on a clinic, Davis advanced with the biggest wave total since the morning. That is until Conner Coffin dismantled everything that came his way, posting 16.75.
Local knowledge seemed to help Davis in the end, but he was kind enough to leave his competition with some Zen-like advice. “You just have to surf the heat.”
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Fashion Forward: Apparently not content with strictly innovation in the water, Kolohe Andino took it upon himself to bring back the fanny-pack, one neon pink pack at a time.
Cultural Creations: Santa Cruz artist Jimbo Phillips was good enough to lend a hand and some creative inspiration to several lucky boards. Posting up in the 6.0 tent all week, Phillips has already tagged up several boards and is waiting for yours.
The “Six-Million Dollar” Grom: “We can rebuild him” East Coaster Balaram Stack sported some unseasonable Christmas cheer, matching his neon green cast and red jersey. The extra weight seemed to ease him down the line as his fluid style brought him through the day.
The Comeback Kid: After a disappointing morning in which Luke Davis scored 1.5 on one wave in his Juniors heat, his afternoon reprieve did the trick. He returned to his Round 1 Mens heat to post 15.75, tying Evan Geiselman for the second highest wave total on the day.
The Undertaker: If Connor Coffin’s performance today was any indication, his competition this week will have a serious challenge on their hands.
“Life of Brian” Optimism Award: Always looking on the bright side of life, the announcers found the best in the wind: “Onshores are the new offshores for the young guys doing airs.”
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