RVCA Pro Junior: A Growing Piece of Newport's History

The third edition of the RVCA Pro Junior presented by Jack's Surfboards is set for another year of action. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

The North America Pro Junior Men's Tour heads into the final chapters of 2017 with plenty still to be written to determine its Champion -- starting with the upcoming RVCA Pro Junior presented by Jack's Surfboards. Newport Beach's 56th Street Jetty will host some of the region's best up-and-coming talent for the third straight year beginning September 22 through 24 with valuable points on the line.

The RVCA Pro Junior coincides with one of the city's milestone events, the Newport Beach Surfing Championships, now in its 29th year, which has seen some of the sports most revered names put on the jersey. Darren Brillhart has been at the forefront of this event since its inception and continues to lead the charge alongside a driven team.

Newport native Tyler Gunter claimed his first-ever Pro Junior win at his homebreak of 56th Street last year in pumping conditions. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

"We've had many [Championship Tour] surfers compete at this event in the past from elementary divisions to QS, Specialty, and Pro Junior level, such as Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Kalani Robb, Pat Gudauskas, Kolohe Andino and many other top QS surfers," Brillhart said. "We're stoked to see this event continue after all these years. RVCA has always supported local youth down here from Tyler Gunter to Colin Moran and many others, it's also great to have them take this event on as it's right in their back yard."

All those involved will be keeping their fingers crossed for all-time conditions which graced 56th Street Jetty for last year's proceedings that crowned Newport's own Tyler Gunter its winner. Gunter returns to his homebreak in hope of another big result to solidify himself among the Top 4 for World Junior Championships. He's currently holding the No. 4 spot with 1,498 points.

Events like the RVCA Pro Junior provides an opportunity for surfers such as Jett Schilling to get a taste of WSL format surfing at an early age. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

The history involved with RVCA's support at the ground level of competition is something the company and Mike Brophy have helped continually provide over the last two years, and bring back to the table once again.

"We wanted to start getting involved with the youth in surfing," Brophy said, of first getting the event off the ground. "When the opportunity presented itself in our back yard, we knew this was the time to get involved. There are so many deep Newport roots at 54th/56th street, we were honored to sponsor the event. RVCA was started in Costa Mesa , so Newport Beach has always been our sanctuary."

Last year showed what 56th Street was capable of providing, and did so all weekend long. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

The RVCA Pro Junior will take place September 22 through 24 at Newport Beach's 56th Street Jetty