Aussies rule H.B. Pier

The start to the U.S. Open of Surfing is just two weeks away, but the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure, presented by Jack’s Surfboards, that wrapped up Monday at the Huntington Beach Pier might have served as a prelude of things to come in Surf City.

And it could be another Aussie invasion.

The four-man final of the Assn. of Surfing Professionals Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure had a distinct Australian flare, as three of the four finalists in the Pro Junior contest hailed from Down Under. The U.S. had one shot at the title after 15-year-old Andrew Doheny of Newport Beach worked his way into the final four.

In the end though, Julian Wilson of Coolum, Australia, headed the Aussie assault by claiming the title at the nation’s first ASP Grad-4 Pro Junior event.

With major ratings points and more money up for grabs, the contest drew a stocked pool of Junior talent to the pier.

The points Wilson received for winning the event is the equivalent of winning three Grade-2 events. He also walked away with a first-place check for $3,500.

Doheny’s fourth-place finish Monday helped him rocket from 15th place to fourth in the latest ASP North America rankings.

The top four finishers in the ASP North America rankings at the end of the year gain entry to the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships in Australia in January.

Among the past Junior world champions are Jordy Smith, Adriano de Souza, Joel Parkinson and Andy Irons.

Wilson, who was a standout throughout the two-day competition that began Sunday, registered two solid scores early in Monday’s final to take control.

He emerged as champion from a finals field that saw fellow Aussies Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head) and Chris Salisbury (Newport) finish in second and third, respectively. Doheny came in fourth.

Wilson was victorious in every heat he entered and capped his undefeated run to the title by working through two-to-three foot peaks and windy conditions Monday.

“There were some pretty difficult conditions out there today, so it feels really good to get this win,” Wilson said. “It was great to have two fellow Aussies in the final, too.

“I’m stoked with the win because I don’t usually do well here. I was hoping that this would prepare me for the U.S. Open. Now I’m really excited to come back here and compete again.”

Just missing a spot in Monday’s final was Quinn McCrystal of Huntington Beach. McCrystal was second to Kennedy in the first of four quarterfinal heats Monday but still advanced to the semifinal round later that day. He went on to finish third behind Wilson and Kennedy in the first of two semifinal heats. The top two in each semifinals heat advanced to create a four-man final. A winner was determined after a 30-minute finals heat.

Doheny didn’t emerge as a favorite in the early rounds of the competition but did just enough to advance his way through to Monday’s final. He did win his quarterfinals heat Monday morning, then finished second to Salisbury in a semifinals heat.

“I was just excited to make the final,” Doheny said after collecting his fourth-place check for $1,300. “I really didn’t do anything great in my heats so I’m happy to have made it this far.”

“I’m really stoked because this is my first time making finals at a Jr. Pro. It’s my best finish ever.”

Now, he says he can turn his attention to preparing for the U.S. Open of Surfing.

North America’s highest-rated (six-star) qualifying event and the world’s largest professional surfing competition debuts at the Huntington Beach Pier on July 18.

He said he’ll train for the event at 54th Street in Newport Beach.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Doheny, who will enter the U.S. Open for the third time.

“I haven’t done real well here in the past but just like this (Nike) contest, I’ll be going into the U.S. Open looking to have fun. I just want to be loose, surf well and enjoy the experience.”