Townend still tough to beat
There just isn’t any slowing down Peter Townend, who proved once
again on Friday, that he’s a tough guy to beat.
The former world champion from Australia, known simply as “PT” to many in
Huntington Beach, surfed his way to the Super Seniors Divsion (age 45 &
up) title at the sixth event of the National Scholastic Surfing
Association Southwest Conference Explorer season.
Townend was challenged by Scott Lewis of Los Angeles, who finished second
overall. Third place went to John Silver of Carlsbad.
Townend wasn’t the only local to win his division during Friday’s
competition held in 4-6 foot good lefts at Seaside Reef in Cardiff.
In the Explorer Bodyboard Division (all ages), Fountain Valley’s Tadaomi
Okamura bested Buena Park’s Jason Thorman to win the event.
In the Explorer Mens Division (all ages), Huntington Beach High graduate
Brandon Tipton finished second to Austin Ware of Solana Beach. Tipton,
who took home $150 for his runner-up finish, won his Round 1,
quarterfinal, and semifinal heats, but Ware, who also won all three of
his heats, had enough points to secure the top spot.
Ware claimed $265 with the win.
In a tight Explorer Boys Division (13-14) event, Huntington Beach’s Chris
Fowler was in third place behind winner Alex Gray (Palos Verdes) and
second place Travis Mellem (San Clemente). The Explorer Juniors (15-17)
competition went to Malibu’s Anthony Petruso, with Huntington Beach’s
Shaun Ward placing fourth overall.
Two other Surf City athletes, Dodger Kremel, was sixth overall in
Explorer Longboard (all ages), and Phil Lockman earned fifth place in
Explorer Seniors (35-44).
A pair of Seal Beach entries dominated the Explorer Masters Division
(25-34), with Chad Wells taking the title and Jason Shook finishing in
third place. Other winners Friday included Del Mar’s Jensen Hassett in
Explorer Menehuene (12 & under), and San Diego’s Nicole Grodesky in
Explorer Womens (all ages).
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.