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).