Surfers from the Grand Strand area flew out to California this week to compete in the United States Amateur surfing Championships.
Stoney Cantor, the father of a surfer in the competition, will send us updates throughout the competition.
As the official ISA-recognized National Governing Body for the sport of surfing in the United States, Surfing America is responsible for holding the USA Surfing Championships event each year and for selecting the official USA Surf Team to compete internationally, according to their website.
The competition started Monday at the San Onofree beach in San Diego, CA. The 12 and under boys division and 12-16 age division started out the competition.
Cantor says it wasn't such a good day for the South Carolina Boys. Luke Gordon, a south strand surfer, got knocked out of his age division and Micha Cantor was knocked out of the 12 and under division.
Emory McClary and Katie Gordon of Pawleys Island in the girls division and Luke Gordon in the U-14 division will take compete later Wednesday.
THURSDAY: Three surfers from our the area competed. Luke Gordon surfed in the boys Under 14 and won his heat, advancing to the 2nd round which will be held Friday.
Katie Gordon and Emory McClary didn't have such a good day, both getting put out in the girls under 16, but they will compete tomorrow in the girls under 14 and under 18.
Competing on Friday in the boys under 16 will be Addison Miles and in the boys under 18 will be Cam Richards.
Competing on Friday in the boys under 16 will be Addison Miles and in the boys under 18 will be Cam Richards.
FRIDAY: Cantor said the swell picked up a little Friday in San Diego, but not what was expected.
Luke Gordon placed 2nd and advanced to the semi-finals in the Under 14, while Emory McClary had a tough day getting put out in the Under 14 and Under 18, although she surfed super well in the Under 18.
Katie Gordon also had a rough day, Cantor said.
"She could have advanced in the under 14 but was called for a paddling interference which placed her in 3rd," added Cantor.
Addison Miles and Cam Richards will be surfing in the under 16 and under 18 Saturday.
Check out the live stream at www.surfingamerica.org
Weekend update from Stoney Cantor:
Saturday was calm for South Carolina, Luke Gordon was put out, but Cam Richards blew up winning both of his Heats in the Under 18. He surfed really well heading into the Finals.
Sunday was a great day for South Carolina, Cam "super star" Richards place 2nd at the U.S. Championships.
Cantor added this is a huge result, not only making the east coast proud, but to be from South Carolina makes us proud.
Luke Gordon had a good run in the under 14 but came up a little short in the semi finals.This was a great event, but we will now move on to the NSSA Nationals, which will start on the 26th at Huntington Beach, California.
NSSA in Huntington Beach Update from Stoney Cantor:
Friday was the final day for the Explorer part of the NSSA Championships. Several of South Carolina's surfers competed.
Boyd and Seth Brown of Litchfield were eliminated in the first round, Seth Brown surfed in the Super Groms and had an interference call.
Katie Gordon was put out in the girls 2nd round, Addison Miles was eliminated in the 3rd round, Micha Cantor was eliminated in the Super Groms quarterfinals with a interference call and Luke Gordon made the finals in Explorer Menehunes but results will not be announced untilJuly 3rd.
NSSA update for this week:
Micha Cantor made the top 6 at the NSSA Nationals!
NSSA Finals update from Stoney Cantor:
Today was the final day of the Open division for the NSSA National Surfing Championships held at Huntington Beach, California. Last year South Carolinas finest Cam Richards won the open Men's, which is the most prestigious title you can win as an amateur. This year no one from South Carolina took home a title but had some good results.
Pawleys Island stand-outs Katie Gordon was eliminated in the second round of the girls division, brother Luke Gordon was eliminated in the third round of boys.
Litchfields Stand-outs Trip Chandler was eliminated in the first round of boys, Seth Brown was eliminated in the second round of mini Groms, brother Boyd Brown had a great showing in the boys but came up a little short and got eliminated in the quarter finals.
Myrtle Beach had two stand-outs as well, Addison Miles was eliminated in the third round of boys and Nate Dorman was eliminated in the third round of open mens.
South Carolina's last hope for a title was Murrells Inlet stand out Micha Cantor who was in second place in the semi-finals of the mini Groms and would advance to the finals, but with ten seconds left in the heat was called for interference and ended up with a 5th place finish.
