- WSL / Sean Rowland
- WSL / Sean Rowland
Huntington Season: Jack's Surfboards Pro Locked and Loaded
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The countdown for the Jack's Surfboards Pro third edition is upon the competitive surfing world March 22 - 24.

Southside of Huntington Beach's iconic pier awaits a weekend of high performance surfing starting March 22 - 24 for the third installment of the Jack's Surfboards Pro. This year features some of the top upcoming threats to the men's Qualifying Series (QS) elite that shouldn't be taken lightly.

One known threat hardly needs an introduction having proven to secure his spot within the Championship Tour's (CT) Top 34 for a fourth-straight season and winning the QS rankings last season --Kanoa Igarashi. But Igarashi is in good, and threatening, company to kick off the 2019 edition at the Huntington Beach Pier. Here's a few to take note of heading into the weekend's competition worth a valuable 1,500 points.

Igarashi and Brett Simpson: Huntington's Best Gear Up

Kanoa Washes Off Some Travel Time at Home

Two of the most winningest surfers at Huntington's iconic southside are prepping to put the jersey on for another go. Igarashi and Simpson have 5 WSL wins at the venue between the two of them, and neither can be left out of the conversation for another title to their name. Both have gone back-to-back for Vans US Open titles and Igarashi garnered a Shoe City Pro win to his name just two years ago.

Their ability to show a diverse display of surfing in the sometimes fickle lineup make for an entertaining showcase no matter the conditions and both are set to make their 2019 debut. While Simpson has turned his focus to shaping the future, coaching the USA Surf Team, the 34-year-old still demonstrates on a near-daily basis at Huntington Beach's lineup that he's not lost any of his spry. Though, a recent back tweak may keep Simpo out of the water as he is day to day leading up to competition.

The pair are joined by the likes of Shoe City Pro winner Nathan Yeomans, Torrey Meister, Takumi Nakamura, along with Huntington Beach's own Matt Passaquindici and Derek Peters who have proven themselves as threats within the lineup and are hungry for a result.

Teenage and International Threats Ready to Prove Themselves

Kauli Vaast (FRA) winning his Round 1 heat at the Papara Pro Open Tahiti Pro Junior. Kauli Vaast - WSL / Hana Chicou

A full array of top, next generation talents continue to make their appearances known and there's no shortage of them at this year's Jack's Surfboards Pro. The usual suspects of 16-year-old Kade Matson, fresh off a Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro Junior win, and 17-year-old Crosby Colapinto - also finishing in the Semifinals of both Pro Junior and QS events last weekend - join the ranks alongside international threat Kauli Vaast who comes in straight after a double Final at Papara.

Malibu, California's, Taro Watanabe's steadfast work ethic continues to impress with his desire to be in the lineup each morning before the sun breaks the horizon each day and Pascuales, Mexico, native Alan Cleland showed his ability to grovel last weekend in Florida to prove he's ready for all conditions.

Jhony Corzo (MEX) winning his Round 5 heat at the Hurlely Surf Open Acapulco QS 1,000. Jhony Corzo - WSL / Andrew Nichols

But, some hefty international threats include former ISA World Champion Jhony Corzo, Brazilian Gabriel Farias, and Spain's Ruben Vitoria ready to earn their first big result in 2019.

East Coasters Look For More

Stevie Pittman (USA) winning his Round 2 heat at the Thomo QS 1,000 In Memory of Bill Thomson. Stevie Pittman - WSL / Andrew Nichols

The likes of Stevie Pittman, Noah Schweizer and Daniel Glenn join the ranks of a predominant West Coast and international field in hopes of continued success on home soil. Pittman comes off a third runner-up finish in Florida as Schweizer already has one QS 1,500 win to his name this season. Glenn continues to be an aerial threat in any event and looks to bring that spark to Huntington.

The triage of East Coast talents, North Carolina and Florida respectively, have shown their ability to grovel in small waves and will be greeted to more swell push this weekend than they've had in recent events.

Noah Schweizer (USA) earning runner-up in his Round 2 heat at the WRV Outer Banks Pro QS 1,000 pres. by Pacifico. Noah Schweizer - WSL / John Ferguson

The Jack's Surfboards Pro will begin Friday, March 22 - 24 at Huntington Beach, California, and feature a live webcast throughout the entire event.

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