In 2012, the KSUSA US Titles returned to Huntington Beach. The contest was completely filled before the deadline, and everyone showed up. Once again, we were blessed with great weather and good surf.
Chris Beresford earned the 2012 Open Championship. Chris is expected to defend his titles next month.
Press Release:
Chris Beresford Wins U.S. Kneeboard Championships at Huntington Beach Pier
“Broken Neck Boys” finish one-two just months after serious injuries
Huntington Beach, CA (Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012) – Chris Beresford of San Diego dominated the Open Divison final today at the Kneeboard Surfing USA Championships at Huntington Beach. Beresford attacked the head-high waves on the south side of the pier with an impressive display of stylish full-rail surfing and big moves.
Local favorite and 2008 champion Tom Backer surfed flawlessly throughout the event and finished second.
Beresford’s and Backer’s one-two finish was heavy with irony and redemption: both suffered broken necks while surfing last spring. The accidents, which occurred weeks apart, shocked the U.S. kneeboard community. Amazingly, both recovered and were in top form this weekend.
Rounding out the Open Division was third-place finisher Ed Quinn of El Segundo and Pat Evans of Huntington Beach who finished fourth. Both long-time competitors, it was Quinn’s and Evan’s best finishes to date in Kneeboard Surfing USA championships, which drew 80 competitors and an international field.
Evan Odom of Vista won a hard-fought title in the Junior Division. Shayne Dimick of Orange and Chris Linn of Laguna Niguel both showed flashes of brilliance – finishing second and third respectively – but it wasn’t enough to top the much-improved Odom, who earned his first U.S. title.
Kathy Yturralde of Huntington Beach also won her first U.S. title in the Women’s Division. Yturralde edged out defending champ Cynthia Wornham of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara’s Jan Fadden in a highly entertaining final which saw some great down-the-line surfing by the ladies.
Huntington Beach kneeboarders Paul Devoy and Mike Fernandez earned some of the loudest cheers on their way to winning the AA and AAA divisions.
The event concluded with the Sandy’s Cup Challenge – a one-hour heat pitting teams of four in a tag-team format. Jose Maldonado of Puerto Rico, Ed Quinn of the U.S., and Alberto Colucci and Giovani Benitez of Venezuela powered the “International Team” to a win and bragging rights. Team “Kneelo Cove” from Huntington Beach finished second and will have to wait until next year to recapture the perpetual trophy – which is displayed at Sandy’s Beach Grill.
Established in 2003, Kneeboard Surfing USA is dedicated to promoting the sport of Kneeboard Surfing through competitions, kneelo gatherings and other activities. For more information visit www.ksusa.org.
RESULTS
Open: 1- Chris Beresford, 2- Tom Backer, 3- Ed Quinn, 4- Pat Evans
AAA: 1- Mike Fernandez, 2- Randy Reed, 3- Brad Colwell, 4- Alberto Colucci
AA: 1- Paul Devoy, 2- Giovanni Benitez , 3- Don Harris, 4- Scott Kinyoun
Juniors: 1- Evan Odom, 2- Shayne Dimick, 3- Chris Linn
Women: 1- Cathy Yturralde, 2- Cynthia Wornham, 3- Jan Fadden
Team: 1- International, 2- Kneelo Cove, 3- NorCal, 4- Blacks, 5- OC, 6- Juniors, 7- Mojado
Sponsors of the Kneeboard Surfing U.S. Championships include: Aleeda Wetsuits, Aqua Tech Waterjet, Balestar Designs, Blast Surf Designs, Block Surf, Bolsa Clothing, Brand Id, ClearWater Glassing, Dean Cleary, Cove Deck Padz, Dafin, DaKine, Electric, Eric Shoelkopf, FCS, Flashpoint Surfing, Freeline Design, The Froghouse Surf Shop, Futures Fins, Joel Mayer Photography, Kneelo Nation, Legless TV, Marko Foam Blanks, McConnell Surfboards, Parkes Australia, Primo Beer, Pure Glass, Romanowsky Kneeboards, Riviera Longboards, Scott Winer Photography, Sector 9, Surfline, Skullcandy, SS Metal Fabricators, Sandy’s Beach Grill, Stone Fish Skegs, Tavarua Island Resort, Trunq, Vartanian Surfboards, Viper Surfing Fins, Volcom, Watermans Applied Science Sun Care and Xcel Wetsuits.
