Day 2 of the Association of Professional Surfing (ASP) Vans Pro Junior was called ON today to complete Round 1 in its entirety and progress through two heats of Round 2. Virginia Beach saw small but clean one-to-two-foot surf with workable corners rolling through during the morning low tide.
The performer of the day was Hiroto Arai (JPN), who put on a show in Heat 4 of Round 1. Arai racked up an impressive 14.33 heat total, which was the highest of the day, while also pocketing the day's highest single wave score with an 8.33.
“I'm from Yokohama, Japan and I surf in Chiba most of the time where the waves can be pretty similar to here, so I'm comfortable in these conditions,†said Arai. “I just came from France and my boards are still in Paris so I had to borrow a board from a friend. It was tough, but pretty fun when the sets came. I was happy to advance with the waves I caught.â€
Another standout from today's competition was Kei Kobayashi (USA), whose small frame worked in his favor given the day's conditions. The San Clemente native took first in two heats today, both in Round 1 and Round 2, putting together the second highest heat score just behind Arai with a 14.00 two-wave total in his Round 1 heat.
“It's pretty hard because everyone rips so it just came down to who got the best waves, and luckily I got two good waves,†said Kobayashi. “The heat went flat for a while and I thought we might restart, but then I got a wave with about 13 minutes to go. My board is feeling really good, though, thanks to Matt [Biolos] so I feel like it's mostly the board doing all the work, not me.â€
Kobayashi is coming off of a recent contest win in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, and seems to be in a good rhythm here on the East Coast, making the Californian one to watch throughout this event.
[Victor Bernardo](@@athlete: (BRA) also showed he could get to work in small conditions, taking a heat win in Heat 3 of Round 1. This is the regular-footer's first time to Virginia Beach but he showed no signs of unfamiliarity as he tore apart almost every wave he caught.
“I have never been to Virginia before, so this is my first time here,†Bernardo said. “I knew it'd be small, but I didn't worry about it. I am out in all conditions so I knew I just wanted to catch waves and do as many turns as possible. It's supposed to pick up so I am happy I made the heat and am into the next round.â€
No heats ran today at the Vans Pro. A slight increase in swell is expected overnight due to an onshore flow of wind, creating an opportunity for a possible 8:30 AM/EST start Wednesday morning.
The Vans Pro and Vans Pro Junior will be webcast LIVE daily this week at www.aspworldtour.com and http://sites.vans.com/eventsites/ecsc/
Check Vans Pro Junior Results.
Vans Pro Junior Kicks Off
WSL
Day 2 of the Association of Professional Surfing (ASP) Vans Pro Junior was called ON today to complete Round 1 in its entirety and progress through two heats of Round 2. Virginia Beach saw small but clean one-to-two-foot surf with workable corners rolling through during the morning low tide.
The performer of the day was Hiroto Arai (JPN), who put on a show in Heat 4 of Round 1. Arai racked up an impressive 14.33 heat total, which was the highest of the day, while also pocketing the day's highest single wave score with an 8.33.
“I'm from Yokohama, Japan and I surf in Chiba most of the time where the waves can be pretty similar to here, so I'm comfortable in these conditions,†said Arai. “I just came from France and my boards are still in Paris so I had to borrow a board from a friend. It was tough, but pretty fun when the sets came. I was happy to advance with the waves I caught.â€
Another standout from today's competition was Kei Kobayashi (USA), whose small frame worked in his favor given the day's conditions. The San Clemente native took first in two heats today, both in Round 1 and Round 2, putting together the second highest heat score just behind Arai with a 14.00 two-wave total in his Round 1 heat.
“It's pretty hard because everyone rips so it just came down to who got the best waves, and luckily I got two good waves,†said Kobayashi. “The heat went flat for a while and I thought we might restart, but then I got a wave with about 13 minutes to go. My board is feeling really good, though, thanks to Matt [Biolos] so I feel like it's mostly the board doing all the work, not me.â€
Kobayashi is coming off of a recent contest win in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, and seems to be in a good rhythm here on the East Coast, making the Californian one to watch throughout this event.
[Victor Bernardo](@@athlete: (BRA) also showed he could get to work in small conditions, taking a heat win in Heat 3 of Round 1. This is the regular-footer's first time to Virginia Beach but he showed no signs of unfamiliarity as he tore apart almost every wave he caught.
“I have never been to Virginia before, so this is my first time here,†Bernardo said. “I knew it'd be small, but I didn't worry about it. I am out in all conditions so I knew I just wanted to catch waves and do as many turns as possible. It's supposed to pick up so I am happy I made the heat and am into the next round.â€
No heats ran today at the Vans Pro. A slight increase in swell is expected overnight due to an onshore flow of wind, creating an opportunity for a possible 8:30 AM/EST start Wednesday morning.
The Vans Pro and Vans Pro Junior will be webcast LIVE daily this week at www.aspworldtour.com and http://sites.vans.com/eventsites/ecsc/
Check Vans Pro Junior Results.
Kei Kobayashi
Kenworthy Notches Historic Double Double, Back-to-Back Wins, Moss Claims Maiden WSL Wins in Sweeping Fashion, Plus Slawson, McCaffray,
Hasburgh's Dream Run in Dominican Republic Delivers Maiden WSL Win, Watanabe Fights to the End, Earns Runner-up and Moves to No. 2, Plus
The former SLO CAL Open Morro Bay victor Kei Kobayashi looks to one of the first to sweep the SLO CAL series and posted a 15.33 heat total,
Kenworthy earns breakthrough, maiden WSL victory in both QS and Pro Junior, Schilling's redemption year gives way to QS win,
Opening day in Huntington Beach witnessed Southern Californians and Challenger Series threats dismantle tough conditions.
Vans Pro Junior
Virginia Beach competition finishes windblown conditions at 1st Street Jetty.
The 4-Star QS and 2-Star Pro Junior kick off the East Coast stretch of ASP events.