A definitive day at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia determined Semifinalists and all those still in the running for Top 4 spot are locked in for an important finals day.
The forecasted swell didn't quite fill in as predicted and those who could find their bearings at the fickle Soup Bowl lineup took advantage of what was on offer.
Alan Cleland may be out of the running, but he can still throw a monkey wrench in the system. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Alan Cleland started action off with a big Quarterfinal Heat 1 win despite a bothersome knee injury along with Jett Schilling advancing, but it was a stacked Quarterfinal Heat 2 that held all the consequence.
Cole Houshmand makes it count. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Current No. 6, and defending event winner, Cole Houshmand came out firing right when the horn sounded and posted a near-perfect 9.77 on his backhand. Houshmand had to face his fellow Top 4 contender, No. 5 Eithan Osborne, along with 2018 North America Pro Junior Champ Tyler Gunter and an in-form Tommy Coleman. In the end, Osborne got the job done behind heat winner Houshmand and both are into a vital Semifinal.
"That was probably one of the most insane Pro Junior heats I've ever had," Houshmand said. "This is the competition where it matters most for me and I knew I'd have to lay it all on the line. It's so important to stay in the moment and not get caught up in the points, but I love that side of things knowing what I need or what they need so it'll be a fun finish tomorrow."
Current No. 4 Bo Raynor kept his calm to keep pace and maintain his spot to Worlds. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Bo Raynor's clutch surfing earned him an excellent 8.50 after shaking nerves off at the start of his affair knowing what was at stake and is into the Semifinals where he'll face current No. 2 Crosby Colapinto and No. 3 Kade Matson after a last-second runner-up finish.
"Watching that heat with the two guys who are right behind you on the rankings make it was a bit nerve-racking and it showed on my first few waves," Raynor said. "Then I lucked into one and told myself to calm down and it all worked out. I'm ready to do better than a fourth-place finish after getting two this year and I'd love to win."
The women's Live Like Zander Junior Pro awards ceremony will be held alongside the men's Sunday afternoon.
A 7:30 a.m. AST call will determine a possible 8:00 a.m. AST start to men's Semifinal action.
Everything Left to Surf For at Live Like Zander Junior Pro
Andrew Nichols
A definitive day at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Venezia determined Semifinalists and all those still in the running for Top 4 spot are locked in for an important finals day.
The forecasted swell didn't quite fill in as predicted and those who could find their bearings at the fickle Soup Bowl lineup took advantage of what was on offer.
Alan Cleland started action off with a big Quarterfinal Heat 1 win despite a bothersome knee injury along with Jett Schilling advancing, but it was a stacked Quarterfinal Heat 2 that held all the consequence.
Current No. 6, and defending event winner, Cole Houshmand came out firing right when the horn sounded and posted a near-perfect 9.77 on his backhand. Houshmand had to face his fellow Top 4 contender, No. 5 Eithan Osborne, along with 2018 North America Pro Junior Champ Tyler Gunter and an in-form Tommy Coleman. In the end, Osborne got the job done behind heat winner Houshmand and both are into a vital Semifinal.
"That was probably one of the most insane Pro Junior heats I've ever had," Houshmand said. "This is the competition where it matters most for me and I knew I'd have to lay it all on the line. It's so important to stay in the moment and not get caught up in the points, but I love that side of things knowing what I need or what they need so it'll be a fun finish tomorrow."
Bo Raynor's clutch surfing earned him an excellent 8.50 after shaking nerves off at the start of his affair knowing what was at stake and is into the Semifinals where he'll face current No. 2 Crosby Colapinto and No. 3 Kade Matson after a last-second runner-up finish.
"Watching that heat with the two guys who are right behind you on the rankings make it was a bit nerve-racking and it showed on my first few waves," Raynor said. "Then I lucked into one and told myself to calm down and it all worked out. I'm ready to do better than a fourth-place finish after getting two this year and I'd love to win."
The women's Live Like Zander Junior Pro awards ceremony will be held alongside the men's Sunday afternoon.
A 7:30 a.m. AST call will determine a possible 8:00 a.m. AST start to men's Semifinal action.
Bo Raynor
Kenworthy earns breakthrough, maiden WSL victory in both QS and Pro Junior, Schilling's redemption year gives way to QS win,
Opening day action unfolded at Jennette's Pier before the wind overpowered the lineup.
Competitors rose to the occasion in tough conditions on opening day at the WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Pacifico.
With Tyler Gunter claiming the North America Regional Title early, three more World Junior Championship spots need filling from Barbados.
A live webcast will feature some of North America's top Qualifying Series (QS) competitors.
Live Like Zander Junior Pro
The San Clemente, California, native finished the regional year at Soup Bowl with a second Pro Junior win.
The North America Men's Pro Junior race to Worlds resumed, but a few spoilers look to disrupt the tempo.
The Live Like Zander Junior Pro and Thomo QS 1,000 are set and ready with a promising swell on hand at Soup Bowl.
The Live Like Zander Junior Pro in Memory of Zander Venezia pays homage to one of the island's own to end 2018.