HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Thursday, June 24, 2010) – 2009 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, clinched an impressive runner-up result at this week’s ASP 6-Star Sri Lankan Airlines Pro by finishing behind Australian standout Julian Wilson (Coolum, AUS), 22, in a hard-fought Final at Sri Lanka’s idyllic righthand pointbreak of Arugam Bay.

Young’s second-place finish amongst some of the globe’s finest up-and-coming competitive talent not only catapults the lethal goofy-footer to No. 69 on the men’s ASP World Ranking, but also establishes the American as the frontrunner for qualification for the ASP World Junior Championships due to his performance on the men’s Star Ratings as the top rated American surfer of ASP Pro Junior age.

The talented Californian relied on his polished backhand attack on the firing Sri Lankan right-handers to earn the impressive Final berth while marching past a solid list of international competitors including Australian Jayke Sharp (Coffs Harbour, AUS), 22, Basque talent Hodei Collazo (EUK), ASP Pro Junior talent Chris Friend (Sunshine Coast, AUS), 19, and former ASP Dream Tour campaigners Nic Muscroft (Victoria, AUS), 27, and David Weare (Durban, ZAF), 29, before falling to Wilson in their battle for the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro title.

“I’ve had an amazing week here and I’m really grateful to have made the final” Young said. “I knew the only way to beat Julian (Wilson) would be to score two excellent waves in that Final. He has been the standout all week. I went for the win but came unstuck on a few critical moves but I’m really pleased with this result.”

Also marching to a notable result was San Diego native Austin Ware (Solana Beach, CA), 29, who finished fifth overall in the ASP 6-Star event. The solid finish for the explosive talent moves him to No. 55 on the Men’s World Ranking.

Ware also had a hand in ousting a stacked list of professional surfing talent including former ASP Dream Tour surfers Royden Bryson (East London, ZAF), 27, and Ricky Basnett (Durban, ZAF), 24, before falling to Sharp in the Quarterfinals.

The next event on the ASP North America calendar will be the ASP 4-Star Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido, which runs from July 16 through 23, 2010.

Best airbrush ever. Painted by Rosie Young for her son, Nat Young. Enjoy.

Nat Young stormed into round one of Innersection with his electro-driven part that’s got people talking bout two things: his surfing and his music choice. We caught up with him to find out how he went about building the two-minute section.

By Matt Skenazy

SURFING Magazine: How did you hear about innersection.tv?

Nat Young: Just from people taking about it saying, “are you gonna put a part together for that new Taylor Steele video?”

How did you approach making your clip?

When I got home from Australia about a month ago me and Ryan [Moss] decided to put something together, we pretty much started from scratch, but we realized it would be a good opportunity for both of us.

Keep reading on surfingmagazine.com

Check out Nat’s section and vote on innersection.tv

Sunset Beach, HI – (Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009) – World title campaigner Mick Fanning (Australia) clocked in at the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing today, hitting the water at Sunset Beach for his debut heat of the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink. He looked sharp, highly motivated and ready to get to work as he advanced behind Sunset Beach’s favorite son, Pancho Sullivan. Even though this event has no bearing on his world title campaign, it’s a critical warm-up to next week’s ultimate, season-ending battle at Pipeline.

Fanning’s entrance came during the last heat of an intense day that was full of action, upsets, and super clean waves in the six-foot range. Those spectators who stuck it out were rewarded – not only by Fanning’s highly anticipated flair, but by Pancho’s radical, full-body, on-rail attack that was fueled by his determination to lay claim to his home break.

“I was excited!” said Fanning, 28, after the heat. “I haven’t had a heat for a while so it was good. Just stoked to be out there with Pancho. He’s one of my favorite guys out at Sunset. Stoked to get through.”

Pancho seemed relieved to get his opening heat behind him and notch up an early win.

“These dieing swells that move over to the point are really tricky,” said Pancho, 36. “I wasn’t really finding a rhythm in the beginning of the heat. I saw the other guys getting waves and I just wanted to get to my feet and join the fun.”

Nat Young (Santa Cruz), 18, continued to win over an adoring Hawaiian crowd, taking it a step further today in posting the highest heat total of the event to date: 17.33 points out of a possible 20. His backhand blitz was electrifying and earned him individual wave scores of 9.33 and 8.0. While he was looking more like a seasoned Sunset veteran than the greenhorn grom he his, he still managed to downplay his score-topping performance.

“Ian Cairns has been giving me some pointers and telling me which waves are good,” said Young. “The guys I’m staying with, Kieren Horn and Jarrad Howse, I’ve gone out surfing with them and they showed me where to sit.

“I’m just seeing how many heats I can make and having fun with it. Sunset is a fun wave, but I definitely have a lot to learn.

“I kind of had an idea of where to go. I didn’t feel that lost out there. I knew which waves to go on: the ones that looked like a peak, not a huge wall on it.”

The downplay continued with his recollection of his 9.33:

“It was a good wave and I did three turns and didn’t fall. I didn’t think it was gonna be a 9, but I was stoked when I heard it was.”

While there was plenty of good news to go around, it didn’t find its way to Joel Centeio – winner of the first event of the series last week at Haleiwa and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series points leader until today. After a blistering run of nine consecutive heat wins in the Vans Triple Crown, it all came crashing down in the second-last heat of the day when he was eliminated in third place behind Neco Padaratz (Brazil) and Daniel Ross (Australia).

In losing, Centeio has opened up the door for Sunny Garcia to make a push for his seventh Vans Triple Crown title. Garcia, 39, will have to step it up again in his next heat, drawn against 2007 Vans Triple Crown champion Bede Durbidge (Australia), and red hot Hawaiians Granger Larsen (Maui) and Sebastian Zietz (Kauai).

The winner of the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing will receive $20,000. The Vans Triple Crown Triple Threat also offers a $50,000 bonus for the most consistent performer across all three events. Hawaii’s Joel Centeio currently leads the series ratings after his win at Haleiwa and his successful run so far here at Sunset Beach.

For all of the LIVE action log on to www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. Find out the call for the day, each day, as soon as it’s made by Director Randy Rarick by signing up for mobile text alerts at triplecrownofsurfing.com. When competition resumes, all the action will be broadcast live on the web at triplecrownofsurfing.com, as well as on Hawaii television on Oceanic channel 250.

Making the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink possible: Reef, O’Neill, Billabong, Gidget Worldwide, Nixon, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaiian Airlines, JN Automotive Group, Surfing Magazine, Surfline.com, FUEL TV, The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaiian Springs Water, Road Runner, Climb On! chemical-free skincare, and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). The Series is proud to announce that it is working with local company Tr3ees to embark upon a greener, more sustainable future.
Jodi Wilmott – (808) 258-8533

RESULTS:
Round of 96:
H9: Mason Ho (HAW), Phillip MacDonald (AUS), Gony Zubizarreta (ESP), Myles Padaca (HAW)
H10: Drew Courtney (AUS), Pablo Paulino (BRA), Adam Robertson (AUS), TJ Barron (HAW)
H11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Dane Gudauskas (USA), Ben Dunn (AUS), Dustin Cuizon (HAW)
H12: Gabel Kling (USA), Tanner Gudauskas (USA), Lincoln Taylor (AUS), Cory Lopez (USA)
H13: Nathan Yeomans (USA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Jay Thompson (AUS), Nathan Hedge (AUS)
H14: Flynn Novak (HAW), Dean Morrison (AUS), Ruben Gonzalez (PRT), Nathan Carroll (HAW)
H15: Nic Muscroft (AUS), Sunny Garcia (HAW), Dylan Melamed (HAW), Yadin Nicol (AUS)
H16: Granger Larsen (HAW), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Leigh Sedley (AUS), Solomon Ortiz (HAW)
Round of 64:
H1: William Cardoso (BRA), Torrey Meister (HAW), Josh Kerr (AUS), CJ Hobgood (USA)
H2: Bernardo Miranda (BRA), Jihad Khodr (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Chris Ward (USA)
H3: Luke Munro (AUS), Kekoa Bacalso (HAW), Travis Logie (ZAF), Tim Reyes (USA)
H4: Nat Young (USA), Glen Hall (IRL), Damein Fahrenfort (ZAF), Damien Hobgood (USA)
H5: Shane Beschen (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW), Tom Whitaker (AUS), Marco Giorgi (BRA)
H6: Chris Davidson (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA), Andy Irons (HAW), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)
H7: Neco Padaratz (BRA), Daniel Ross (AUS), Joel Centeio (HAW), Jadson Andre (BRA)
H8: Pancho Sullivan (HAW), Mick Fanning (AUS), Renato Galvao (BRA), Jarrad Howse (AUS)

Check out the Video Nat Young and Friends on Surfline.com

The pride of the west side, Nat Young, has once again walked away with a title from the competition at his home break of Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz. With his win in the Oakley Pro Junior on Sunday, Nat bagged a 3-peat in front of a massive crowd that had gathered to root on the local boy. Nat won the same event in 2007, and then in 2008, did the unthinkable by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Cold Water Classic.

Check out Nike 6.0s video and story here.

Check out the Nat Young Video Interview here.

Women had the day off and the four USA Men surfed their heats; Three of them advance and one is sent to the Repercharge Round-all are still in the event

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica – August 4, 2009 – The PacSun USA Surf Team continued its advancement through day three of competition at the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games.  Only the men competed yesterday while the women took a well deserved day off.

Clouds shielded the sun’s piercing rays yesterday-a welcome respite from the Sahara-like conditions during the first two days of competition.   The swell dropped a bit and crowds were lighter too as the weekend warriors from San Jose returned to work and school.

Photo:  AJ Neste/Surfing America

The day started off with Cory Lopez in the very first heat where all competitors struggled with limited opportunities on very few waves and low scores. Lopez scrambled hard, however, and finished in second place behind Hawaiian Joel Centeio.  Austin Ware worked multiple peaks and won his heat handily ahead of Australian Dyyan Neve.

Cory Lopez
Photo:  AJ Neste/Surfing America

Nat Young had a hard time finding the waves and his rhythm and was bumped into the Repercharge round-the first American to do so.

Nat Young
Photo:  AJ Neste/Surfing America

Benny Bourgeois got off to a slow start and fell into second behind Jeremy Flores.  He fought hard, worked North to South and back, and scrapped his way through several challenges from Puerto Rican surfer to hold onto his second place finish and subsequent advancement.

As the Team had an early finish, they decided to go out and explore some Cosa Rica wildlife up close and personal.   As evidenced by the image below, crocs are alive and thriving in the rivers of Costa Rica!

Photo:  AJ Neste/Surfing America

Today, PacSun USA Surf Team women are up first in the morning followed by a mid afternoon heat for Nat Young.  Qualifiers Lopez, Bourgeois, and Ware all get the day off.

The swell is expected to pick up later in the week.  The Longboarders start their event on Wednesday.  With several longboarders flying in from the ASP event in Japan, there will be much catching up to do with regard to learning the complicated break.

“With three of our four open men surfers advancing and one in the repercharge, we’re still sitting in a solid position,” said Ian Cairns, PacSun USA Surf Team Coach.  “The event is about half way through and we’re managing our intensity and momentum pretty well.”

VIEW, DOWNLOAD, AND SHARE DAILY VIDEO WEBISODES OF THE TEAM’S PROGRESS AND GET TWITTER FEEDS DIRECTLY FROM THE TEAM ON THE HOMEPAGE AT SURFINGAMERICA.ORG

WATCH THE EVENT LIVE WEBCAST: CLICK HERE GO USA!

JOIN THE SURFING AMERICA CAUSE ON FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE

The 2009 SIMA Surfing America USA Championships presented by Verizon Wireless will take place August 24-30 at Huntington Beach Pier.  For more information, or to watch the live webcast, go to http://surfingamerica.org

Surfing AmericaMission Statement
The Mission of Surfing America is to promote the growth, competitive success, and positive image of surfing in the USA and to provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing, and administrating the sport–while producing champions.

PACSUN USA SURF TEAM CONTINUES ITS MOMENTUM AT THE 2009 BILLABONG ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES

Team USA wins five more heats in Day 2 and becomes only nation in the contest to keep all athletes in the Qualifying Round

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica – August 2, 2009 – The PacSun USA Surf Team continued its dominance through day two of competition at the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games.  Five of the six USA athletes won their heats again, while Sage Erickson advanced in the Qualifying Round with a second place finish in her heat.

Again, the heat radiated intensely throughout the day, while the crowd of spectators who visited the contest site on the narrow black sand beach swelled to well over twenty thousand.

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America

Both Cory Lopez and Nat Young broke their boards during their victorious heats as the hollow set waves at Playa Hermosa provided a fun and power-packed playground for flaunting their huge floaters and robust maneuvers.

Nat  Young
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America

Austin Ware and Ben Bourgeois both had tight, challenging heats.  Austin, sitting in third through most of his heat, fought his way back through two intense paddle battles late in the contest to claim the win and advance to the next round.

Austin Ware
Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America

The PacSun USA Surf Team heads into day three with only the Men surfing between 8:00 and 10:00 am.  The remainder of the day will consist of repercharge heats for both men and women divisions.  This will give the team a chance to have a quiet afternoon off and re-energize for the heightened intensity of the later rounds.

Photo: AJ Neste/Surfing America

The Longboard Division is slated to begin on Wednesday, August 5th.  The PacSun USA Surf Team longboarders are Tony Silvagni and Steven Newton. .

“I’m pleased with the effort so far,” said Ian Cairns, PacSun USA Surf Team Coach.  “The Team is staying focused and we’re positioned well with everyone still in the Qualifying Rounds.  Where mistakes have been made, the Team is learning from them.  Some of our guys got behind in their heats and had to fight their way back.  It’s good to see them bringing that passion and intensity forward as we move toward the later rounds.”

VIEW, DOWNLOAD, AND SHARE DAILY VIDEO WEBISODES OF THE TEAM’S PROGRESS AND GET TWITTER FEEDS DIRECTLY FROM THE TEAM ON THE HOMEPAGE AT SURFINGAMERICA.ORG

WATCH THE EVENT LIVE WEBCAST: CLICK HERE GO USA!

JOIN THE SURFING AMERICA CAUSE ON FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE

The 2009 SIMA Surfing America USA Championships presented by Verizon Wireless will take place August 24-30 at Huntington Beach Pier.  For more information, or to watch the live webcast, go to http://surfingamerica.org

Surfing AmericaMission Statement
The Mission of Surfing America is to promote the growth, competitive success, and positive image of surfing in the USA and to provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing, and administrating the sport–while producing champions.

Official Sponsors of Surfing America

Video: SK