COGRATULATIONS JACK, and all the finalists. I'll have to ask Mark and Danny R about the sibling riavalry when the chips were down. Seems the standings were a little southerly askewed.
Here is our news release (let me know if I got your hometown wrong):
Hot Weather and Even Hotter Surfing Highlight
2005 Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles at Steamer Lane
Santa Cruz, CA (Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005) – Kneeboarders found conditions much to their liking this weekend in Santa Cruz at the 2005 Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles held in glassy, overhead waves – and soaring daytime temperatures – at Steamer Lane.
A lingering high pressure system pushed temperatures well into the 80s and contributed to many inspired performances by the 65 competitors in this third annual event. Organizers, who delayed the start of the event until Friday, were rewarded when a forecast west swell arrived on schedule much to the delight of the kneeboard surfers, their families and hundreds of spectators.
Competitors such as Jon Manss, John Mel, Dave Noel, Eric Thuygerson and Roger Hughes put their local knowledge to work in the somewhat tricky conditions – fed by some extreme tide swings. Other early standouts included Barry Baker, Bill Lerner, Ed Quinn, and the U.K.’s Karl Ward – who was awarded a perfect “10” on one of his waves.
Saturday’s competition included semis and finals for all divisions as the swell gained in height and consistency. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Junior Final which included five competitors between the ages of 12 and 16. Encouraged by hoots and cheers from the assembled gallery on the cliffs, the Juniors charged waves that were the largest many had ever surfed.
Final results:
Junior Final
1 Shaun Murphy, San Diego
2 Sam Coyne, San Diego
3 Joel Young, San Diego
4 Sebastian Perez, Orange County
5 Chris Linn, Orange County
AA Final
1 Mark Robertson, Costa Mesa
2 Dan Robertson, Newport Beach
3 Dave Weinbaum, Del Mar
4 Brad Colwell, San Diego
5 Paul Duquet, Texas
AAA Final
1 Ed Quinn, Los Angeles
2 Mike Sears, Santa Cruz
3 Bob Gove, San Diego
4 Jose Maldonado, Puerto Rico
5 Ed Dimick, Orange County
Open Final
1 Jack Beresford, San Diego
2 Roger Hughes, Santa Cruz
3 Barry Baker, Orange County
4 Karl Ward, United Kingdom
KSUSA hosted two very successful championships at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz in 2003 and 2004. Based on the success of these events, KSUSA has been awarded the opportunity to host the Kneeboarding World Titles & Festival in December 2006. Planning is now under way with Kneeboarders from as many as 20 countries expected to participate.
Sponsors of the 2005 KSUSA Titles and Festival include: Blast Kneeboards, BioHazard Surfboards, Flashpoint, Freeline, Hurley, Newswell, Parkes Kneeboards, Shoelkopf and Surftech.
Established in 2003, Kneeboard Surfing USA is dedicated to promoting the sport of Kneeboard Surfing through competitions, kneelo gatherings and other activities. More than 800 people from throughout the world have registered on the KSUSA.ORG Web site and the sport is experiencing a true renaissance in the U.S. and overseas.
Last edited by Jack Beresford on Tue Nov 22, 2005 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
Congratulations to everyone who contributed in this contest
Maybe its just me but it seems that all the lack of information on the
contest and the raffles and very few photo's
It almost seems that there is rollover from the BigSur gathering
I hope not I use to live in my own little world and didn't want are
need anyone else to be apart of it but this site has turned me around
in a good way.
The last 2 years there were photo's and info on the contest every
time you would go to this site .
Did all the Juniors get boards this year
Who was the big raffle winners
How was NSG05 Debut
Thanks to Joe and Jack for what you have posted but im still having
lack of info meltdown
Hey SKneel, don't let it get you down, but please be patient.
This year three photographers, myself, Joel, and Will Powers, teamed up and are producing contest photos for sale on our joint website at KSUSA.photoreflect.com
There are no photos up yet, but there will be by the end of the week (I hope!). I took approximately 3000 photos over the two day contest, plus additional photos a few days beforehand. Joel and Will also took a similar amount each. It will take some time to go through them all and put them up in an organized manner. I will not be putting them up on our KSUSA forum until I get them on our website, and I will only put a few up here in order to protect our investment.
There was also videography courtesy of Eric's lady (name? sorry ...), Ivan, and Scott Wessling. I imagine we'll be seeing some of that someday, possibly with clips here. Don's cousin Morgan from Maui is a pro photog also and took a couple hundred pics he'll be offering for sale on a CD.
The NSG05 video was a smash hit, Simon has really raised the bar as far as production values as well as his and other's phenomenol surfing on the North Shore. We were also treated to a 'round the world DVD from Ivan, and Scott Wessling's documentary with Jon Manss on Santa Cruz kneeboarding in the early days with some AMAZING historic footage.
As for the rafflemania ... can't say as I kept track. I know the Costa Rica trip went to Bob Gove, and all the boards went to very good homes! Same for the wetsuits, swimfins, shirts, board racks, board bags (you need something to protect your sticks when flying off of your car, Craig!), hoodies, sandals, fish, posters, hats, and other amazing gear. Next time be there, because you can't win unless you're there!
Another awesome event. Thanks to all who helped make it so successful. Thanks to Mark and Karl and Ivan and Jose coming from the UK and PR respectively. Really adds intrigue to the event plus these guys are cool and rip.
Open Finalists:
4. Way to go Karl! You are an outstanding surfer and had a great contest. I was in your heat where one judge gave you a 9 and the other a 10 so I didn't see it but I'm sure it was great.
3. Barry you rip and had a great wave in the Finals. Just couldn't get the matching wave to come your way. No doubt you would've surfed it better than the first.
2. Roger you are solid and the local knowledge came through with excellent waves and top to bottom surfing with choice sections tight in the pocket. A pleasure to watch.
1. Jack, Champion again! Congratulations Always solid, fluid, and consistent with effortless big moves! From start to finish you surfed like the Champ you are. Way to go.
Just want to say thanks to Phil (?) for finding a slot for me on Friday, and giving me the opportunity to surf with some of the best kneelos (and nicest blokes) on the globe. Also big thanks to JohnM for lending me a board. Looks like after a 30 year break, I'm back on the kneeboard.
Thanks to all of you!
Were T-shirts made for the steamers lane /us titles comp???
If so are there any "XLs" left
I can Paypal money through plus postage
PM me any details
cheers
Tony
Love that "greenroom" feeling...(don't panic I finally found it)..... good ole' winki on a good day