WET AND WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:NSSA hosts 42 schools at Church’s

The National Scholastic Surfing Assn. held its state championships down at Church’s last weekend in some fun waist- to head-high surf. Forty-two high school, middle school and college teams competed for state titles.

In the high school competition, no one could stop San Clemente’s surfers, who made a bunch of finals and nailed some wins. In the mens’, top-ranked open season surfer Trevor Saunders kept it rolling, winning all heats including the final to give San Clemente High the state title.

Although H.B.’s Quinn McCrystal kept it close with some killer rights and placing second, and freshmanShayne Nelson scored enough points to finish third overall.

In womens’, Edison’s Tess Lustbaum took fourth with some nice rides, and Huntington’s Sara Taylor rounded out the top six. While longboarding saw S.C.’s Troy Mothershead win his fifth straight state title, and Marina’s Gene Rodriquez placed sixth. So first San Clemente, second San Dieguito, third Huntington, equal-fourth Edison and 15th Marina.

In middle schools, Shorecliffs was the big winner, with Ian Crane winning the boys’ final. Sowers placed two surfers in the boys final also: John Elles, who ripped to fourth, and Ivan Langhoff who placed sixth to help Sowers finish runner-up. In girls’, Sowers’ Anise Guzman came in second and Dwyers Paige Ortiz was fifth. In college action, Saddleback won top honors, UCSB was second and Mira Costa third. Next up: Nationals in June at Salt Creek.

This week at the Huntington Pier is the two-star Vans Pro presented by Jack’s Surf Shop. This starts the beginning of the action for the West Coast leg of the Assn. of Surfing Professionals North America World Qualifying Series events.

There will be 160 men competing for cash and points. For the women it’s a one-star surf contest, with a field of 32. The Vans Pro started Wednesday and will run till Sunday’s finals.

There will also be an ASP Kick-off party tonight at Fitzgerald’s Pup on Magnolia and Garfield, with none other than Joe Wood’s band playing. Should be hot; check it out. I know the ASP’s West Coast Director Meg Bernardo will be there ready to rock and roll, so come on down!

The warm air temperatures in the mountains have claimed it’s first victim, as Mountain High ski resort shut down for the season this week. Thin spots are starting to show, as air temps were in the 60s during the last couple of weeks.

That’s it for now. Fig, over and out.