In 2010, the KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles returned to Huntington Beach. Bill Lerner claimed his first KSUSA US Open Championship.
This event marked the beginning of a new era in KSUSA competition, with the event fully organized and run by KSUSA under the expert guidance of Big Tony. Big Tony has done more to make these events a success than anyone could imagine.
Official Press Release:
Kneeboarders Score Classic Conditions for KSUSA Titles at Huntington Beach
Published:February 3, 2010
Bill Lerner is back. Lerner won the U.S. Championship in near perfect conditions today at Huntington Beach Pier – a place where he dominated Kneeboard competitions nearly three decades ago.
The 48-year old Cardiff by the Sea resident, still the only U.S. Kneeboarder to win a world open division title, used his experience and smooth-but-radical style to best a field of 64 competitors at the Kneeboard Surfing USA Championships. Lerner’s victory was his first in a major competition since the early 1980s.
Best known for his fearless approach to big, hollow conditions, Lerner found the overhead peaks to his liking throughout the event. The Black’s Beach local took advantage of a building west swell and found several barrels on his way to victory. San Diego’s Jack Beresford finished second. Huntington Beach local Mike Butler, a crowd favorite, finished third, and Bob Gove, also of San Diego, finished fourth.
Shaun Murphy of San Diego scored perfect 10s on the wave of the contest and coasted to victory in the junior final. Murphy also placed highly in the open division, placing equal seventh. Sebastian Perez finished second, Sam Coyne finished third and Taylor Chapette finished fourth.
Cynthia Wornham of Malibu won the women’s final. A Kneeboarder for more than 30 years, it was her first-ever contest. She promised to defend her title next year in Santa Cruz. Rounding out the women’s final was Elise Odom, Marlowe Espalin and Laura Rodriguez.
The event concluded with a one-hour team competition highlighted by a team of HB Kneeboarders who donned Mexican wrestling masks. After the fun was done it was group of Orange County-area kneelos who won bragging rights for another year. The winning team, dubbed “Kneelo Cove Crew,” included Ed Dimick (team captain), Max Bollinger, Greg Shewman, Wayne Kopit and Mark Robertson.
The event marks the sixth KSUSA Titles – all held in California. KSUSA also hosted a highly successful World Titles in 2007 at Steamer Lane. The KSUSA Titles will return to Santa Cruz Jan. 13-15, 2011 for the 2011 KSUSA Championships – an important lead-up to the 2011 ISA World Kneeboard Surfing Titles in Phillip Island, Australia.
Sponsors of the Kneeboard Surfing U.S. Championships include: Aleeda Wetsuits, Balestar Kneeboards, Blast Hawaii, Bolsa Clothing, Brand ID, Duke’s, Cove Pads, Electric Visual, Flashpoint Surfing, Freeline Design, Frog House, Gordon Biersch, Joel Mayer Surf Photography, LuxurySurf.com, Maxim Capital Advisors Inc., Ocean & Earth, Parkes Australia, Primo Beer, Skull Candy Headphones, Stay Covered, Smith Optics, Steen Barnes Photography, Surfline, Surftech, Stonefish Skegs, Tide Has Turned, Trunq S.U.B., and Viper Swim Fins.
Established in 2003, Kneeboard Surfing USA is dedicated to promoting the sport of Kneeboard Surfing through competitions, kneelo gatherings and other activities. Visit us online at www.ksusa.org
Final Results:
Open Division: 1. Bill Lerner, 2. Jack Beresford, 3. Mike Butler, 4. Bob Gove
AAA: 1. Greg Shewman, 2. Tom Linn, 3. Randy Reed, 4. Don Harris
AA: 1. Ed Quinn, 2. Randy Stockstill, 3. Mike Fernandez, 4. Randy Morris
Junior: 1. Shaun Murphy, 2. Sebastian Perez, 3. Sam Coyne, 4. Taylor Chapatte
Junior-Super Groms: 1. Evan Odom, 2. Elise Odom, 3. Shayne Dimick
Women: 1. Cynthia Wornham, 2. Elise Odom, 3. Malowe Espalin, 4. Laura Rodriguez
Team: 1. Orange County “Kneelo Cove,” 2. Juniors, 3. San Diego “BMC,” 4. NorCal, 5. International, 6. Huntington Beach “Team Mojado”
