NSSA Nationals 2008 - Day 1 Wrap up

Conditions: Sloppy fog giving way to sunny skies and shoulder high peaks.
Events Held: Explorer Juniors, Explorer Menehune, Explorer Longboard, Explorer Juniors, and five hours of Open Juniors round one heats.
Nature's Call: Damn, these groms don’t need much!
Predictions: Which Evan will it be? Thompson or Geiselman? Both came out swinging on day one.

Dillon Perillo Photo: Watts

Groms don’t need much to get psyched. 3 foot and bumpy is perfect when you’re four foot and skinny. It’s amazing they stay so little when you see the feeding frenzy going down at the Nike 6.0 waffle booth, too. These kids can eat! As far as action goes, with most of the morning falling victim to south wind, it wasn’t until lunch time when conditions reorganized and set the stage for a stacked Explorer Juniors heat featuring Granger Larsen, Dane Zaun, Kolohe Andino, Conner Coffin, and Billy Kemper. This thing could have been the final and didn’t disappoint as sets poured through the whole time, allowing each surfer to rack up several 8’s on their scorecard. But, who other than Granger Larson to take the win, clearly establishing his Kelly Slater of the NSSA status for the event, looking loose and deadly.

The unhealthy food continued to get more attention than the water as many of the competitors and spectators alike opted for one of the many burgers options on hand and we’re gut-bombed for the afternoon glass off. But not Evan Geiselman, who scorched his heat looking like a smoothie drinker among Fat Burger patrons. Taking the Evan torch after Geiselman was Evan Thompson, who took advantage of the glassy conditions and showcased some awesome, Occy-esque power surfing. Jon Jon Florence must have been watching Thompson's heat, too because he came out with another stunning performance, taking the shred torch to take his heat and back up the hype that never seems to leave his name.

Dane Zaun Photo: Watts

The day finished with some of the cleanest and best looking waves seen all day, and a brigade of tow headed, surfed out groms made their way up the trail after an epic day one to the 2008 NSSA Nationals presented by No Fear. Check back in tomorrow for day two and be sure to watch the Nike 6.0 Webcast starting Thursday morning at 8 a.m. on www.surfingmagazine.com.

Watch it live on Surfingthemag.com's Nike 6.0 Webcast click here

 

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