America’s Got Talent
.jpg "Americas Got Talent")
By: Jake Howard, ESPN
High school was an awkward time. I hoped I'd outgrown it, but then I went to the beach this weekend and realized that I'm more of an insecure, self-conscious kook than ever. With the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships descending upon Trestles this weekend—my regular haunt—high school surf teams from around the country poured onto the sand, set up their little cliques, paddled out, and sadly, most every kid surfed better than me—with the exception of the one girl who pearled after every top turn, I reckon I'd barely beat her out.
Why the self-loathing you ask? Well, for one, it's that the level of a lot of high school-aged surfers never ceases to amaze me. READ MORE…
Gerr’s Championship Highlights
Wow! what a great weekend for High School competitive surfing!! We witnessed some of the most intense games of the year.
Here are some of my highlights:
Newport versus Satellite High with Chase Wilson looking like a WCT pro and getting the first 10 point ride in NSL High School surfing history!! With judges Damien Hobgood, Micah Byrne, Jason Bennett, and Head Judge Willy Smith, that is legit!!
Dane Zaun’s clutch 9.5 in the bottom of the 3rd period of the semi’s against Newport Harbor to put his team in the final showed that deep determination it takes to be a winner in "The Game" format. And then the final game that went to overtime.
Cooper Jones clutch 8.5 in the bottom of the 3rd period and J.D Lewis’ super clutch last wave with 10 seconds left in the game to tie it up and take it to overtime had the whole beach buzzing. But it was Mira Costa led by Senior and future pro surfing star Dane Zaun in O.T. that sealed the deal.
Congratulations to Mira Costa High School! They are the Red Bull Riders Cup 09 Champions and the best surfing high school in continental United States.
Next year we hope to include more high schools including Hawaii.
This season was a great success!! Thanks to all the pro surfers that helped out in every region, thanks to all the coaches, teachers, and helpers, thanks to Red Bull and all their people, Red Bull Girls for handing out trophies and hugging the groms, Thanks to Allisports.com for everything and thanks to my staff at the NSL, you guys are the best!!
Extra special thanks to Shaun Burrell for being the man!
peace and see you all next year!!!
commissioner of NSL
Brad Gerlach
PS. Check out this video of Mira Costa pre-claiming the title after winning the South Bay regional:
Mira Costa High Wins Red Bull Riders Cup National Title
The top high school surfers in the country gathered this weekend in San Clemente to compete in the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championship, bringing with them ideal weather and near-perfect waves. With a powerful swell pouring through Upper Trestles at San Onofre Beach all weekend long, the teams were given the chance to test their mettle and show their skills in the premiere high school surfing competition. (more…)
