In January 2009, KSUSA returned to Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz for the 2009 US Kneeboard Surfing Titles. World Champ Gavin Colman traveled from Australia to compete and took home top honors.

Official Press Release:

Steamer Lane Delivers for Kneeboard Surfing Competitors

21 January, 2009 : – – Santa Cruz, Ca — Australian Gavin Colman dominated a field of top U.S. competitors this weekend to win the Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles at Steamer Lane. Colman and other competitors were greeted with double-overhead sets for the finals Saturday morning. Colman’s win punctuated an impressive three-day run and backed up his win in the 2007 World Kneeboard Championships – also held at Steamer Lane.

Huntington Beach’s Tom Backer surfed flawlessly and finished second in the “Open” division. Barry Baker of Capistrano Beach and Rob Salfen of Los Osos finished third and fourth in the Open. Kiya Kelley of Sooke, Canada, won the women’s division besting Laura Rodriguez and Marlowe Espalin both of Buena Park.

One of the most entertaining finals featured four junior (under 20) competitors going for broke in the solid winter surf. In the end, Sebastian “Seabass” Perez of Laguna Niguel took home first place honors. Sam Coyne of San Diego finished second and Chris Linn of and Nick Kouatli – both from Laguna Niguel – finished third and fourth.

Colman, who lives in Sydney, was the lone Australian among the 60 Kneeboarders who competed. By finishing as the top-two U.S. competitors, Backer and Baker will receive top seeds at the upcoming Kneeboard Surfing World Championships to be held in Opunake, New Zealand this April.

Sponsors of the Kneeboard Surfing U.S. Championships include: Blast, Brand I.D., Flashpoint, Freeline, Gordon Biersch, Hurley, LuxurySurf.com., Maxim Capital Advisors Inc., Parkes, Tide Has Turned.

Established in 2003, Kneeboard Surfing USA is dedicated to promoting the sport of Kneeboard Surfing through competitions, kneelo gatherings and other activities. KSUSA has hosted five U.S. Championships and the 2007 World Kneeboard Championships.

Final Results

Open Division
1. Gavin Colman, 2. Tom Backer, 3. Barry Baker, 4. Rob Salfen

AAA
1. Ed Quinn, 2. Jeff Martinez, 3. Akio Matsumo, 4. Paul Crowley

AA
1. Roger Hughes, 2. Lloyd Mahoney, 3. Don Harris, 4. Mark Recordan

Juniors
1. Sebastian Perez, 2. Sam Coyne, 3. Chris Linn, 4. Nick Kouatli

Women
1. Kiya Kelly, 2. Laura Rodriguez, 3. Marlowe Espalin