WHO: Some of the East Coast’s top under-18 amateur competitors.

WHAT: Surfing America Prime East Event #2

WHEN: November 6th-7th, 2015

WHERE: Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, NC

WHY: Surfing America mixed things up a bit this year, moving its opening event to Long Beach, NY, in September to co-locate with the unsOund Pro and to hold an event in the Outer Banks during “Prime” (pun intended) fall conditions. They might have missed the waves by a few days on November 6th-7th, but conditions at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head last Saturday were beautiful with sunny skies, calm winds, and fun thigh- to chest-high surf. Until, that is, the mother of all storm fronts came barreling through with 30-knot winds and rain which thankfully stalled for the majority of the event, but the last two heats of the day were canceled as the ominous front marched south. The Surfing America crew operating under the guidance of Executive Director Greg Cruse were barely able to secure the tents, banners, and electronics before the storm hit.

Standout of the day on Saturday was USA Surf Team member Maddie Peterson (Wildwood Crest, NJ), who dominated her quarterfinal heat in the small conditions with a near perfect 9.57 wave score backed up with an 8.83, even throwing away an excellent score of 8.70. Maddie maintained her dominance throughout the event and walked away with the 1st-place trophy. Fellow USA Surf Team member Tommy Coleman (Vero Beach, FL) also started strong in his Round 1 heat of Boys U16 with the highest single wave score of the event, 9.83, backed up with an 8.83. It was also “8’s or lates” for Tommy in his Boys U14 quarterfinal heat with a two-wave total of 16. Tommy proved he isn’t just a small-wave specialist when the driving wind whipped the surf up into thumping five- to seven-foot pounders on Sunday. Tommy took the Boys U14 win with a convincing 15.50 heat total and placed 2nd surfing up in Boys U16.

Micha Cantor (Murrells Inlet, SC) kept his Prime season rolling with the win in Boys U16 and 4th-place finish surfing up in Boys U18. USA Surf Team member Luke Gordon was on fire all event but couldn’t get the scores he needed in the final of Boys U18. Longtime Surfing America Prime surfer Chauncey Robinson (Melbourne, FL) put together a great heat in the final with 7.00 and a 6.20, securing his first Prime win! Nicole Fulford (Ponce Inlet FL) continues to improve and impress as she worked her way through a packed field in both Girls U18 and Girls U16 to take the win in Girls U16 and 3rd in Girls U18. Laird Myers (Virginia Beach, VA) and Rachel Presti (Melbourne Beach, FL) also had great showings and were double finalists. Meanwhile, Prime newcomers CJ Mangio (Long Beach, NY) and Coral Schuster (Cocoa Beach, FL) were first-time Prime finalists.

Next up is somewhere in North/Central Florida on January 30th-31st, 2016.

FINAL RESULTS OF SURFING AMERICA PRIME EAST EVENT #2:

BOYS U18
1st – Chauncey Robinson – Melbourne, FL
2nd – Luke Gordon – Pawleys Island, SC
3rd – Nohea Futrell – Kill Devil Hills, NC
4th – Micha Cantor – Murrells Inlet, SC

GIRLS U18
1st – Maddie Peterson – Wildwood Crest, NJ
2nd – Rachel Presti – Melbourne Beach, FL
3rd – Nicole Fulford – Ponce Inlet, FL
4th – Sophie Falzone – Atlantic Beach, FL

BOYS U16
1st – Micha Cantor – Murrells Inlet, SC
2nd – Tommy Coleman – Vero Beach, FL
3rd – Kyle Tester – Cape May, NJ
4th – Laird Myers – Virginia Beach, VA

GIRLS U16
1st – Nicole Fulford – Ponce Inlet, FL
2nd – Coral Schuster – Cocoa Beach, FL
3rd – Rachel Presti – Melbourne Beach, FL
4th – Avery Aydelotte – Jensen Beach, FL

BOYS U14
1st – Tommy Coleman – Vero Beach, FL
2nd – Laird Myers – Virginia Beach, VA
3rd – Ryan Huckabee – Flagler Beach, FL
4th – CJ Mangio – Long Beach, NY

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