Watch the highlights
After the first stop was reschuduled to January 2015, the real first event in the third season of the rebooted NSSA's Explorer Kneeboard Div. was held at Salt Creek Beach Park in South Orange County
[mid 70's air/ Low 60's water, light wind, 2/3ft. combo swell dropping with low tide by the end of the heat]
Chris started things off by staying inside and picking off the first wave of the set 4:25min into 20 min. heat. (Top 2 wave scores/15 wave max) followed by local & current NSSA National Champion Sean Noone picking up a fair left off the point, Mike and Evan waited outside for the larger sets.
Bermudez's strategy seemed to be grabbing insiders launching off the foam for acceleration. Noone varied his positioning trying for longer rides both from the point and mid-break even spinning around for one while paddling back out. Odom managed a few larger outside waves - including attempting a steep right back into the rock pile. However Fernandez, showing all the poise of a former National Champion, patiently waited outside for larger set waves and made the most of the bumpy conditions with a couple of longer rides scoring higher than rest.
Overall it was nice to have very surf-able conditions with a decent swell. The tour this season is missing some formidable players from prior years, but given a contest day with a real swell, and the fact that these chaps all have such varied styles should make for another fun season.
Note: Next stop - Nov.1st @ Cardiff Reef
Several of these guys expressed real interest in entering the NoCal events in Santa Cruz, which would bolster the event with an additional heat of Kneelo's and perhaps have them to have to run a Semi Final heat. (Hummmm, more time at the lane with just us out!)
well done Mike
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