Karina Rozunko. Photo by ASP/Poullenot
By Andrea Swayne
Karina Rozunko
Age: 17, San Clemente High School
Karina Rozunko of San Clemente repeated last year’s result by taking third place at the Association of Surfing Professionals Women’s World Longboard title event last week in Hainan, China.
A second-time qualifier for the Swatch Girls Pro, Karina also took third in 2012.
Her campaign came to an end in the semifinals when she faced champion Kelia Moniz of Hawaii, who claimed the title last year as well. With this result, Karina now shares the No. 3 ASP world ranking with France’s Justine Dupont who was also knocked out in the semis. An ankle injury did not seem to hamper Karina’s graceful yet powerful style. And going into this year’s event knowing what to expect, led her to a much more calm and confident showing.
“I’m really happy with third place,” Rozunko said in a post-event ASP interview. “I’m not bummed at all, Kelia ripped out there and I did my best and that’s all you can do. It would have been nice to make the final, but you can’t have regrets. I’ve had a great trip and third in the world is good. I felt much more at home at this event this year. Last year I was so nervous.”
Karina was featured in the all-women longboard surf movie, Say No More, which was released in July.