The youngest boys on the PacSun USA Surf Team - including San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino – killed it today in New Zealand, where the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships are happening at Piha.

San Clemente's Kolohe Andino had the high score of the day in New Zealand. PHOTO COURTESY OF SURFING AMERICA

The break is churning up some really challenging conditions for the competitors, but today’s 16 and under division showed the world juniors that the US is a top contender for the title.

Here’s more from the PacSun USA Junior’s Surf Team:

Trevor Thornton started it off in the second heat of the day–winning with a commanding lead over 2nd place finisher Hawaiian Kain Daily.

Next was Jake Halstead, who battled hard to win his heat in the challenging conditions.  He was followed by Parker Coffin who opened it up in the surging sea and threw down a 8.5 to defeat Hawaiian Koa Smith.

Kolohe Andino batted clean up for the USA Under 16′s and dominated his heat; he captured the day’s high score of 9 and defeating Australian Creed Taggart.

“Today was a day we’ve been training for,” said Ian Cairns, Head Coach of the PacSun USA Surf Team. “The big messy surf demanded  punchy and deliberate movements.  The Under 16 Boys all stepped up and surfed with authority and poise – like men.  They demonstrated the composure and power of surfers well beyond their years.  I’m proud of their performance today.”

Yesterday, the 18 and under division won some, and lost some, with two competitors moving on and two going into the repercharge round.

There was even a bit of a shark scare –   Evan Thompson came out of the water freaking out after spotting what he says was a 10-foot shark, thinking another competitor got attacked. What was the response from his teammates? GET BACK OUT THERE!!!!

He ended up getting the score he needed with two minutes left on the clock.

Here’s a pretty funny video from yesterday, shark music

 

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