Some wind on it again today, but seemed like maybe a little more push, and definitely more broken up. Peaky and fun, even through the bumpy conditions. As expected, score lines were up, and the talent level has definitely started to rise. Here’s what went down on Day Two at the Jacks Pro.
From the first (Men’s) heat of the day, it seemed like the scale was going to be higher than yesterday, which I felt was a good thing. All 4 surfers were in the double digits, which didn’t happen once yesterday. Next door neighbor Dylan Hord from right over in Newport Beach took out Heat 1 in a tight one. This kid Carl Burger from somewhere in Florida won Heat 2. He had a notable massive backside fin blow; really sick. I’ve judged him in a State or National championship before and was blown away at his surfing. Lightning fast and very sharp, plus he slightly resembles a young Machado. Hard not to dig that kinda style. Wesley Santos, who we spoke about yesterday, got eliminated in this Heat.
By Heat 3 it was near mid-day and the wind was picking up. Conditions were starting to get crumbly, more so than they already were, and finding a clean section was paying dividends. Kyan Yang went vertical on the backhand and took out a Heat Win in a stacker featuring Barbados’ Jacob Burke, El Salvador’s Bryan Perez, and yesterdays standout Shea Bruhwiler. The Pink Panther (Perez) and Bruhwiler came up short. The big name losses continue.
The QS Ultra Grind Warrior, 37 year old Manuel Selman got a Heat Win. I had to look this guy up; I had never heard of him before. He’s been surfing in QS events since 2011. Fifteen fucking years! What a legend. Yago Ramos, another HB transplant who surfed good yesterday, snuck through in 2nd place.
Dane Libby won the NSSA National Championships two years ago, and he’s been on my radar ever since. This kid is going to make a name for himself soon, one way or another. Seaside Reef has a young squad brewing that may threaten the San Clemente Squad sooner than later, with Levi Slawson leading the charge. I think that’s where Libby is from. Maybe Heat 3 Winner Kyan Yang as well. I should probably mention Jake Marshall. It’s easy to forget he’s on Tour sometimes. Anyways, Libby took out Heat 5 handily, dropping two 6’s early. East Coaster Matton Bain advanced behind, knocking out hometown favorite Blaze Roche and semi-local (from Laguna or something) Max Beach.
I was on the way down at this point, and I watched the greatest name in surfing Johnny Herrouin (pronounced Her-Win) take out his 2nd Heat Win in as many days. This is a really nice South Bay kid that I’ve judged a lot, and his surfing has gotten so much better, so much more mature in a short period. Rad to see him getting through heats at this level. Luckily this was a super slow heat, so I didn’t miss too much walking down and trying to watch the broadcast. 8 minutes went by before the first wave was caught. It was getting tough out there.
Pete Mel and Courtney Conlogue were saying on the mic that the wind was dying in Heat 7, almost halfway through the day. Didn’t feel like it on the pier. Kepa Mendia and Cose Stoyanoff got through a slow one. Then I got to witness one of the greatest sporting moments I have ever seen in my entire life – yet another QS battler, 9 year veteran, 35 year old Jairo Perez (pronounced High-Row) got a Heat Win over three sponsored, aspiring professional teenage surfers. Brings a damn tear to my eye. Epic. Motivational. Inspiring. Beautiful. I must speak with Jairo and Manuel Selman. There’s one more too, we’ll get to him in a second, but guys are straight up ripping in their mid-late 30s, dropping the hammer on these groms. Love to see it.
I turned around and went home pretty quickly with the waves being tough, and having to head to work shortly. Caught the rest of the afternoon on the Youtube stream throughout the night. I wish I could have stayed, of course. There were a lot of people I wanted to see surf. Quick rundown of the rest of the day’s highlights.
The last member of the 3 headed, 30+ year old monster is Rafael Pereira. He’s 36, from Venezuela, and he won Heat 9, taking down a serious scalp in Timmo Simmers with him. Pereira’s been coming here surfing in this event since 2014 when it was the Shoe City Pro. Absolute grinder – juicing every wave until the bitter end, 4 turns per wave, classic QS Legend stuff. Luke Wyler from San Clemente, and William Hedelston, who surfs the pier all the time, advanced out of H10 in the lowest scoring affair of the day. Newport’s Parker Cohn and Canadian Reed Platenius got through Heat 11, while the big air guy from yesterday Ryder Smith fell out.
This kid I have worked with a few times, Titus Santucci, he looked really solid in Heat 12. He’s commentated some events before and I’ve had a surf or two with him; absolutely rips. Great style. If he can keep working on his heat strategy, he’s going to be a force. I would like to see him go deep in this event. Yadin Nicol’s son King, and another kid from Newport Beach David O’Keefe were a few of the late notable advancements.
The big Losses that weren’t already mentioned: Henry Rothey, Jake Davis, another local favorite and standout from yesterday Dylan Sloan, HB up-and-comer Finn Castle, and internet sensation, San Diego Heartthrob Jacob Szekely were all eliminated.
32 Surfers made it through the Round of 128 yesterday. Of those 32, only 10 made it through their heat today – 31%. Maybe the scale was low for a reason..
Some final thoughts:
Brett Simpson is an elite commentator. Chad Wells is digestible. Courtney Conlogue should never do it again.
Local knowledge kind of counts, but not as much as you’d expect. Definitely not at a typical beach or pier break like this. We’ll see who has a run as it gets later in the event.
We have not seen one (1) excellent score (8 points or above) on the Mens side through 2 full days of competition. Pushing for better surfing, or expecting too much (read: too low of a scale)?
I saw a post floating around on Social Media saying the entire day tomorrow was being called off & postponed. The reason: a shark spotted in the lineup after the event. You know me, of course, I had to do my job and get to some digging. I contacted my resources and worked my investigative journalism to find the scoop. Rumor has it that an SUP’er saw a “big great white” and “it turned around and showed its teeth”. Supposedly, per city rules, nobody is allowed in the water for 24 hours, and the event is off for tomorrow – Friday.
What a ridiculous load of shit. Turned around and showed its teeth? Like a fuckin dog?
Hilarious.
We’ll find out early tomorrow, but I’m planning on a full day down there. I can’t imagine they are going to postpone the 70+ vendors and activities they already have booked and lined up down there on the sand. Maybe they send ski’s out or something. Maybe it’s not even a real report. I’ll be back with details tomorrow. And again, if you’d like to catch up on any of the event yourself, link for the full day replay is here.
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield