Back in a jersey, back on top of the podium, San Clemente’s Zion Walla last week took the win in the Boys Under 14 division at the NSSA contest in Huntington Beach. In contestable, 2- to 4-foot surf, Zion controlled the final from the start all the way to the final horn. Saving his best for last, Zion went ballistic in the waning minutes of the final, racking up a 9-point score from the judges to seal the deal.
More than just a contest machine, Zion’s also a dogged tube hound. The young goofy-footer has a knack for pulling in and is definitely not afraid of the consequences when things clamp down on him. Not only that, Zion’s air game is downright lethal, as he’s getting a full bag of tricking, including grabs and rotations, down pat. No wonder he’s such a threat when he pulls on the jersey.
Big ups also go out to Zion’s older sister, Eden, who won the Women’s final and finished runner-up in the Girls Under 16 division in Huntington Beach. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the Walla brother-sister duo is a force to be reckoned with – and they just keep getting better and better.
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