Huntington Beach is on a run of swell that continues to pulse after yesterday's West Coast Board Riders All Stars pres. by Jack's Surfboards witnessed some all-time conditions. The same swell provided moments of explosive surfing from competitors to begin the third annual Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 1,500.
Surfers didn't let the pristine, four-to-six foot conditions on offer spoil and delivered some brilliant surfing that Jake Kelley led the way with after finding near-perfection.
A few big moments were captured on opening day and Kelley's 9.00 took center stage.
From dropping a new edit to dropping near-perfection in his Round 2 debut, Kelley is gaining momentum heading into another big weekend of competition after his Quarterfinal finish last week at the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro. The 23-year-old is looking to string together a few results
"It's good to have this many QS 1,500s at the start of the year because I hadn't really been doing a lot of contests other than just to keep a seed," Kelley said. "I like getting some momentum heading through this string of events and it's nice to get some extra points as well as try make a bit more money to help the cause."
The Barbadian is making up for lost grounds at last week's QS event in Florida and brought the fire with him.
The 21-year-old has his own world-class, righthand wave of Soup Bowl to sharpen that backhand into a tool when needed most. But the event is long from done for Mackie and the Barbadian has plenty left in the tank.
"I definitely want to do more than just make the first heat and to get the momentum going so far from home is really good," Mackie added.
While 2018's World No. 3 Filipe Toledo is chasing World Titles, his younger brother Davi, 19, earned his first win at the QS level. The Toledo family currently resides in San Clemente, California, and Davi has the world-class break of Lower Trestles at his disposal which is beginning to translate into performances wearing the jersey.
"I just snuck in under the boys and got it. I'm so happy and just thank God for that one. That's my first heat I've made on the QS and that sure felt good. It's like a weight just came off my back -- my shoulders are lighter for sure (laughs)."
Austin Neumann in pure elation after a big debut win. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Central Coast native Austin Neumann executed a brilliant air in the final heat of opening day action to garner an excellent 8.83 and put himself into Round 3. Other notable wins included Huntington Beach's own Derek Peters, Brazilians Matheus Navarro -- recent winner in Cocoa Beach, Florida -- and Namor Cayres, and Encinitas, California, native Nick Marshall.
Round 2 will resume at 8:00 a.m. PDT with Round 2 Heat 9.
Jack's Pro: Jake Kelley Takes Over
Andrew Nichols
Huntington Beach is on a run of swell that continues to pulse after yesterday's West Coast Board Riders All Stars pres. by Jack's Surfboards witnessed some all-time conditions. The same swell provided moments of explosive surfing from competitors to begin the third annual Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 1,500.
Surfers didn't let the pristine, four-to-six foot conditions on offer spoil and delivered some brilliant surfing that Jake Kelley led the way with after finding near-perfection.
From dropping a new edit to dropping near-perfection in his Round 2 debut, Kelley is gaining momentum heading into another big weekend of competition after his Quarterfinal finish last week at the Ron Jon Quiksilver Pro. The 23-year-old is looking to string together a few results
"It's good to have this many QS 1,500s at the start of the year because I hadn't really been doing a lot of contests other than just to keep a seed," Kelley said. "I like getting some momentum heading through this string of events and it's nice to get some extra points as well as try make a bit more money to help the cause."
Dane Mackie Thrives
The 21-year-old has his own world-class, righthand wave of Soup Bowl to sharpen that backhand into a tool when needed most. But the event is long from done for Mackie and the Barbadian has plenty left in the tank.
"I definitely want to do more than just make the first heat and to get the momentum going so far from home is really good," Mackie added.
Davi Toledo's Breakthrough on the QS
While 2018's World No. 3 Filipe Toledo is chasing World Titles, his younger brother Davi, 19, earned his first win at the QS level. The Toledo family currently resides in San Clemente, California, and Davi has the world-class break of Lower Trestles at his disposal which is beginning to translate into performances wearing the jersey.
"I just snuck in under the boys and got it. I'm so happy and just thank God for that one. That's my first heat I've made on the QS and that sure felt good. It's like a weight just came off my back -- my shoulders are lighter for sure (laughs)."
Central Coast native Austin Neumann executed a brilliant air in the final heat of opening day action to garner an excellent 8.83 and put himself into Round 3. Other notable wins included Huntington Beach's own Derek Peters, Brazilians Matheus Navarro -- recent winner in Cocoa Beach, Florida -- and Namor Cayres, and Encinitas, California, native Nick Marshall.
Round 2 will resume at 8:00 a.m. PDT with Round 2 Heat 9.
Dane Mackie
The Thomo QS 1,000 In Memory of Bill Thomson fired into action and moments of brilliance emerged.
The Thomo QS 1,000 and Live Like Zander Junior Pro fired into action at Soup Bowl with impressive performances across the board.
Prime Soup Bowl conditions allowed surfers to fully perform during Round 1.
Luke Hynd, Sophie McCulloch and more shine on a full day of heats at Drill Hall Beach.
The Floridian and Californian found near-perfection amid pristine conditions on opening day that all competitors relished.
Jack's Surfboards Pro
The 17-year-old defeated an in-form Phillippe Chagas during a tight Final in all-time Huntington Beach conditions.
The 17-year-old battled through a full day of pumping Huntington Beach conditions to earn his first Qualifying Series win.
The 21-year-old prepares for his fourth year on the Championship Tour but got things started at home during the Jack's Surfboards Pro.
The 16-year-old San Clemente, California, native comes in frothing following a win Pro Junior win but has his ambitions set higher.
The QS 1,500 features some names to keep tabs on throughout an action-packed weekend in Huntington Beach.