San Clemente, California (June 21, 2019) – Performances and energy are building at the Toyota USA Surfing Championships – the competition that determines national titles and positions on USA Surfing’s elite teams. Some of the biggest set waves rolled in just in time for “Moving Day” – the elimination heats that determine which surfers move on to tomorrow’s finals. 

Surfline will be carrying the finals action live tomorrow with instant replay and analysis (link). 

The field is now narrowed to the eight best surfers in each age division and the final four in GirlsU12. The remaining surfers will battle it out to clinch USA Surfing Championship titles. The Championship titles earned through the history of the event have gone on to the World Surf League Championship Tour and impressive careers.  Read A Front Row Seat to the Future of USA Surfing. 

Girls U12

Avery McDonald, San Clemente, Calif. 

Oaka Wong, Hawaii

Vaihiti Inso, Hawaii

Vela Mattive, Santa Barbara, Calif. 

Girls U14

Zoe Benedetto, Palm City, Fla.

Ewe Wong, Hawaii

Pua Desoto, Hawaii

Sawyer Lindblad, San Clemente, Calif.

Caitlin Simmers, Oceanside, Calif. 

Ava McGowan, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 

Betty Lou Sakura Johnson, Hawaii

Bella Kenworthy, Dana Point, Calif. 

Girls U16

Alyssa Spencer, San Clemente, Calif. 

Taylor Green, Milton, Fla. 

Caitlin Simmers, Oceanside, Calif. 

Luana Silva, Hawaii

Sawyer Lindblad, San Clemente, Calif

Zoe Benedetto, Palm City, Fla. 

Girls U18

Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad, Calif. 

Sawyer Lindblad, San Clemente, Calif.

Zoe Benedetto, Palm City, Fla. 

Ewe Wong, Hawaii

Ella McCaffray, Cardiff, Calif. 

Gabriela Bryan, Hawaii

Kirra Pinkerton,San Clemente, Calif. 

Savanna Stone, Hawaii

Boys U12

Charlie Stevens, San Clemente, Calif. 

Chase Burnes, Hawaii

Chase Niemann, Carlsbad, Calif. 

Zach Van Meter, Laguna, Calif.

Tiger Abubo, Hawaii

Kenny Nishimoto, Hawaii

Boys U14

Hayden Rodgers, San Clemente, Calif.

Shion Crawford, Hawaii

Kai Martin, Hawaii

Nalu Deodato, Hawaii

Lucas Owston, Oceanside, Calif. 

Ben Brantell, San Clemente, Calif.

Maikai Burdine, Hawaii

Cannon Carr, San Clemente, Calif. 

Boys U16

Jett Schilling, San Clemente, Calif.  

Levi Slawson, Encinitas, Calif. 

Jackson Bunch, Hawaii

Taj Lindblad, San Clemente, Calif 

Robert Grilho, Hawaii

Luke Swanson, Hawaii

Boys U18

Crosby Colapinto, San Clemente, Calif. 

Jett Schilling, San Clemente, Calif.

Wyatt McHale, Hawaii

Levi Slawson, Encinitas, Calif. 

Dimitri Poulos, Ventura, Calif. 

Nick Marshall, Encinitas, Calif. 

The level of competition was intense. Hawaii’s Eli Hanneman took to the air for the event’s first full rotation air for an 8.33 in the boys U18 round two. Kirra Pinkerton scored a 9.83 with two giant, vertical turns in the girls U18 quarterfinals. Jackson Bunch scored the highest wave of the day for boys, earning a 9.77 in the Boys U16 round four.

A special thank you to the sponsors of Toyota USA Surfing Championships: 

Toyota, Sun Bum, Wienerschnitzel, GoGoSqueeZ BlastZ, New Era Cap, Carver Skateboards, Got Milk?, Hot Shoppe Designs, Outlets at San Clemente, HydroFlask, Tea of a Kind, Blue Diamond Almonds, Jacuzzi, Leus, Rise Brewing Company and DSC Performance, DJO Global.

Contact: becky (at) usasurfing (dot) org

USA Surfing is the National Governing Body for surfing in the United States, recognized by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USA Surfing’s mission is to promote and grow the sport of surfing and support United States athletes of all backgrounds to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American competition. USA Surfing will oversee and support America’s Olympic team as surfing makes its debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and surfing and stand-up paddleboarding athletes compete in the 2019 Pan American Games.

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