Surf was way up at NSSA finals

The National Scholastic Surfing Assn. held its Western Championships at the Huntington Pier last weekend and was greeted with some macking south swell action.

The freight train lefts were pedal to the metal, and some of the biggest sets were breaking almost at the end of the pier.

About 600 surfers from up and down the coast competed. Some of our Surf City residents had some awesome performances, starting out with Rick Larsen in the seniors, who dominated the final, ripping it up, taking a first and getting one of the big bowl trophies.

In explorer women’s, Huntington Beach High standout Sara Taylor was tearing, narrowly missing the win and finishing second. Teammate Quinn McCrystal had some hot moves, slashing his way to second in the explorer men’s.

In the big-time open men’s division, San Clemente’s Tanner Gudauskas was on fire and took the win with some impressive radical surfing. The up-and-coming Elles brothers had some impressive moves, making the finals in the younger age brackets.

Kyle Harvel did some fancy footwork in longboards, making the final, and even the Figster placed fifth in super seniors for the old guys.

Next up, one left, if ya qualified, is the Nationals at Salt Creek and Lower’s at the end of June.

Two weeks ago down at Church’s, the Western Surfing Assn. ran its West Coast Championships in some overhead, fun surf.

H.B.’s Nichole Jenderko had quite a run, making the final and placing fourth in girls’ 17 and under. She won that West Coast overall title and also took the overall in the open women’s, a double-double.

Danny Misken came in third in the Master “Blaster” division, while in seniors longboard Keven Daniels placed second with some nose-riding action.

Troy Bertrand is back after having open heart surgery a few months ago. He made the seniors final and got fourth place with some great rides.