NSSA Western Regional Championships begin today

The National Scholastic Surfing Association will present the 2000

Western Regional Championship, beginning today, at the south side of the

Huntington Beach Pier.

The three-day meet concludes with Sunday’s finals.

Competition each day begins at 6:30 a.m.

More than 400 of the West Coast’s top surfers from the NSSA’s Southwest

and Gold Coast conferences are scheduled to compete.

The Western Regional Championships is a six star rated event which serves

as a qualifier for invitation to the 2000 NSSA National Championships,

which will be held June 27-July 1 at Lower Trestles. The regional

championships will comprise two separate events -- the Open

Championships, and the Explorer Championships. The Open Championships

include the highest level of competition and is the most prestigious of

the NSSA competitive divisions. It is a student only division and

includes the following divisions: Mens (16 and up), Juniors (13-15), Boys

(12 and under), Mini Groms (10 and under), Womens (all ages), and

Bodyboard (all ages).

The Explorer Championships include competition in a wide range of student

and nonstudent categories: Mens (all ages), Juniors (15-17), Boys

(13-14), Menehuene (12 and under), Womens (all ages), Masters (25 and

up), Seniors (35 and up), Super Seniors (45 and up), Longboard (all

ages), and Bodyboard (all ages).

Two of Huntington Beach’s best surfers will compete in the NSSA Western

Regional Championships: No. 1 seed and 2000 Southwest Open Mens and

Explorer Juniors champion Timmy Reyes, a senior at Edison High, and

Huntington Beach High senior Micah Byrne, the No. 2 seed in Open Mens and

a five-time national champion.

Other Huntington Beach athletes competing this weekend include 1999

National Explorer Masters champion Darren Brilhart, and Lizz Kampen.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

6:30-8:15 a.m. - Seven Explorer Mens Round One Heats

8:15-9:15 a.m. - Four Explorer Masters Quarterfinals

9:15-10:15 a.m. - Four Explorer Mens Quarterfinals

10:15-10:45 a.m. - Two Explorer Masters Semifinals

10:45-Noon - Five Explorer Longboard Round One Heats

Noon-12:30 p.m. - Two Explorer Mens Semifinal Heats

12:30-3:30 p.m. - Twelve Explorer Juniors Round One Heats

3:30-4:15 p.m. - Three Explorer Longboard Quarterfinal Heats

4:15-5:45 p.m. - Six Explorer Juniors Round Two Heats

5:45-6 p.m. - Explorer Longboard Repercharge