Locals Making Waves in Pro Contests

San Clemente-based surfers find recent success in ASP and APSS

By Andrea Swayne

A handful of professional surfers from San Clemente made headlines last week in both Association of Surfing Professionals contests abroad and the non-ASP pro surf series, the American Pro Surfing Series here in Southern California.

Season two of the APSS—led by event producer Scott Waring and held at the Huntington Beach Pier—kicked off with Event No.1, the Shoe City Pro, May 6 through 11.

In women’s competition two San Clemente surfers made podium appearances, Anastasia Ashley earned second-place honors and Tia Blanco took fourth. The division was won by Chelsea Tuach of Santa Barbara and Barbados-born surfer Chelsea Tuach took home the third-place trophy.

The top spot in the men’s division was claimed by San Clemente’s Nathan Yeomans, followed by runner-up Kilian Garland of Santa Barbara, third-place finisher Timmy Reyes of Huntington Beach and in fourth, Hawaiian Kalani Robb.

In ASP news, the Billabong Rio Pro in Brazil—event No. 3 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour with a May 8 through 19 waiting period—has been on hold since wrapping up Round 1 on May 10.

Day 1 saw San Clemente-based pros Kolohe Andino and Patrick Gudauskas both take command of their respective first round heats for the win and automatic advancement into Round 3.

Gudauskas’ two-wave score of 11.50 (out of 20) in the first heat of the event ousted Australian, Josh Kerr (10.27) and Alejo Muniz of Brazil (1.40). Andino closed out the round with a score of 12.43, beating Australian, Adrian Buchan (8.56) and CJ Hobgood of Florida (7.43).

As of press time Friday another lay day had been called but with a good swell on the forecast, event organizers said conditions would be reassessed at 7:30 a.m. Saturday for a possible Round 2 start.

For more on these events, log on to www.americanprosurfingseries.com and www.billabongpro.com.