Fun conditions came streaming through the lineup throughout the day as the Soup Bowl Junior Pro got underway - WSL / Andrew Nichols
An exciting day of competition opened up the Soup Bowl Pro Junior Men's event with plenty on the line for World Junior Championships qualification -- and the waves to provide the opportunities for all of it to happen.
Jake Marshall turned in two brilliant performances that earned him two heat wins en route to a Semifinal appearance. The California-native showed his powerful style in the pocket of each turn with variety and controlled intensity with an excellent 9.00. But, there is still plenty of work to be done to secure his No. 3 spot on the rankings.
"I was trying to stay patient and use my priority for when the good waves came through," Marshall said. "I didn't want to take off on anything that wouldn't provide me good opportunity. It's amazing when you get a good one and there was plenty of chances for everybody even though it was a little inconsistent out there. I'm stoked to make it through today, this is one of my favorite waves in the world and I love it here."
Marshall has experienced Soup Bowl at his heaviest and was able show his style in the fun conditions on offer today. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
As it stands: With the elimination of Tyler Gunter and Cole Houshmand, Marshall must now fend off Luke Gordon and Chauncey Robinson to secure his place to the World Junior Championships. If Marshall earns fourth-place in his Semifinal, Gordon wins the event, and Robinson earns runner-up -- Marshall and Robinson will be placed in a surf-off for the No. 4 spot.
The rarely-predictable lineup of Soup Bowl can bring in unexpected sets even when conditions look to be on the playful side. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Fellow Semifinalist Luke Gordon displayed he's up to the task with tac-sharp surfing of his own. The South Carolina-native posted his scoring rides on his final two waves, capturing the victory in the final seconds with a 7.23 after his previous 7.33 on the best wave of the heat.
"I was actually really nervous out there just with Cole [Houshmand] and Tyler [Gunter] going out -- being the two people in front of me," Gordon said. "It's whoever gets the two best waves out there right now, it's so tricky and you have to get the right one. I was almost too patient in my second heat because I had to get a buzzer beater. I'm just going to try and forget everything, surf, and whatever happens, happens."
Though Gordon is dropping 300 points, a win would still see him as far as the No. 3 spot if things go his way. - WSL / Lucas Murnaghan
After a nail-biter in Round 2, Nolan Rapoza came back firing on all cylinders to display why he's in the No. 1 spot currently -- posting a 16.66 in his Quarterfinal match-up. The Long Beach-native came out of his heat all smiles with a place into the Semifinals and guaranteed place into World Junior Championships in the books.
"It's fun out there for sure and that Quarter was a lot better than the last heat," Rapoza said. "I think I sat deeper this time early on and found a good one right away to get started. Once I start off like that I feel invincible and then just wanted to be patient. One of my goals coming in was to surf smarter heats, but also to surf smarter on the wave as well and that's what I wanted to work on here."
Rapoza has the North America regional title all but locked -- unless he earns a fourth-place finish in his Semifinal and Kei Kobayashi wins the event. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
An in-form Chauncey Robinson will be putting up a fight of his own to make the Final and battle for a spot into World Junior Championships there. Robinson's formidable layback snaps were the turning point for the Floridian when posting his 8.10.
He then posted a 7.60 in the final six minutes to earn the lead and not give it back up.
"To me this is the best contest of the year, hands down," Robinson said. "This is the event I look forward to every year and if it came down to this for qualification I knew it's where I could put the most trust in myself. I was a long shot and didn't have any nerves until about ten minutes before that Quarterfinal. But, this is one of the best waves in the world and it's just about having fun."
Robinson's power impressed all in attendance during today's action and will look to displace much more water for a big result. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Che Allan hasn't counted himself out of the Top 4 picture just yet with a spot into the Semifinals. While he needs those ahead of him to fall out before the Final, the Bajan can put pressure of his own on with a big win -- something he is putting out of sight and mind at his homebreak.
Also in the Semifinals and a chance at the Top 4, Micky Clarke is within striking distance if he comes away with a win and has other results fall his way from those above him.
Allan's local knowledge is unrivaled with those left in the field -- something he will rely heavily on heading into a massive Semifinal. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
The 7:30 a.m. local time call will determine an 8:00 a.m. start for either the men or women's Semifinal bouts at Soup Bowl.
Vital Day of Men's Competition Kicks Off Soup Bowl Junior Pro
Andrew Nichols
An exciting day of competition opened up the Soup Bowl Pro Junior Men's event with plenty on the line for World Junior Championships qualification -- and the waves to provide the opportunities for all of it to happen.
Jake Marshall turned in two brilliant performances that earned him two heat wins en route to a Semifinal appearance. The California-native showed his powerful style in the pocket of each turn with variety and controlled intensity with an excellent 9.00. But, there is still plenty of work to be done to secure his No. 3 spot on the rankings.
"I was trying to stay patient and use my priority for when the good waves came through," Marshall said. "I didn't want to take off on anything that wouldn't provide me good opportunity. It's amazing when you get a good one and there was plenty of chances for everybody even though it was a little inconsistent out there. I'm stoked to make it through today, this is one of my favorite waves in the world and I love it here."
As it stands: With the elimination of Tyler Gunter and Cole Houshmand, Marshall must now fend off Luke Gordon and Chauncey Robinson to secure his place to the World Junior Championships. If Marshall earns fourth-place in his Semifinal, Gordon wins the event, and Robinson earns runner-up -- Marshall and Robinson will be placed in a surf-off for the No. 4 spot.
Fellow Semifinalist Luke Gordon displayed he's up to the task with tac-sharp surfing of his own. The South Carolina-native posted his scoring rides on his final two waves, capturing the victory in the final seconds with a 7.23 after his previous 7.33 on the best wave of the heat.
"I was actually really nervous out there just with Cole [Houshmand] and Tyler [Gunter] going out -- being the two people in front of me," Gordon said. "It's whoever gets the two best waves out there right now, it's so tricky and you have to get the right one. I was almost too patient in my second heat because I had to get a buzzer beater. I'm just going to try and forget everything, surf, and whatever happens, happens."
After a nail-biter in Round 2, Nolan Rapoza came back firing on all cylinders to display why he's in the No. 1 spot currently -- posting a 16.66 in his Quarterfinal match-up. The Long Beach-native came out of his heat all smiles with a place into the Semifinals and guaranteed place into World Junior Championships in the books.
"It's fun out there for sure and that Quarter was a lot better than the last heat," Rapoza said. "I think I sat deeper this time early on and found a good one right away to get started. Once I start off like that I feel invincible and then just wanted to be patient. One of my goals coming in was to surf smarter heats, but also to surf smarter on the wave as well and that's what I wanted to work on here."
An in-form Chauncey Robinson will be putting up a fight of his own to make the Final and battle for a spot into World Junior Championships there. Robinson's formidable layback snaps were the turning point for the Floridian when posting his 8.10. He then posted a 7.60 in the final six minutes to earn the lead and not give it back up.
"To me this is the best contest of the year, hands down," Robinson said. "This is the event I look forward to every year and if it came down to this for qualification I knew it's where I could put the most trust in myself. I was a long shot and didn't have any nerves until about ten minutes before that Quarterfinal. But, this is one of the best waves in the world and it's just about having fun."
Che Allan hasn't counted himself out of the Top 4 picture just yet with a spot into the Semifinals. While he needs those ahead of him to fall out before the Final, the Bajan can put pressure of his own on with a big win -- something he is putting out of sight and mind at his homebreak.
Also in the Semifinals and a chance at the Top 4, Micky Clarke is within striking distance if he comes away with a win and has other results fall his way from those above him.
The 7:30 a.m. local time call will determine an 8:00 a.m. start for either the men or women's Semifinal bouts at Soup Bowl.
Chauncey Robinson
A critical day of competition unfolded leaving plenty of room for upsets and brilliant surfing at the Barbados Surf Pro and Live Like
The former Soup Bowl QS victor found his rhythm once again in defining fashion at the Barbados Surf Pro pres. by Diamonds International.
One event to go and 3,000 points on the line make for an open playing field heading into Barbados' famed Soup Bowl for both men and women.
The women made their highly anticipated debut as the men continued to decimate the Huntington Beach lineup.
Josh Burke, Ava McGowan and Noe Ledee claimed maiden Soup Bowl wins at Thomo QS 1,000 and Live Like Zander Junior Pro.
Soup Bowl Pro Junior
A massive victory from Allan earned him a spot into the World Junior Championship and the first male Bajan to claim a Soup Bowl Pro Junior
Two spots remain open for the North America Junior Tour men's representatives -- and mathematically eight surfers vying for them.
After three years of quality competition, the Soup Bowl Pro Junior is back for another year of action with titles on the line.