Santa Barbara’s Conner Coffin has been unbeatable thus far in the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Ecuador, claiming first place in each of his first three four-man heats to reach the fourth round of the boys under-16 division at the world’s most competetive amatuer surfing contest.
Coffin’s run included the division’s highest single wave score of 9.17 in round two. Coffin, 15, needs to advance through two more rounds to make to the finals and an opportunity for a world title.
(PHOTOS COURTESY OF ISA/WATTS/LOBO)
Santa Barbara’s other representative on Team USA, 13-year-old Lakey Peterson, advanced through two heats in the girls 18s before being relegated to the repercharge rounds with a loss in round three to Australia’s Laura Enever and South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag.
Team USA lost three surfers on Wednesday and the overall competition lost 88 in total.
The contest, which began March 28, has showcased Ecuador’s La Fae, a left-hand point break that connects to a beach break, in overhead surf that was a consistent 6-8 feet on Wednesday but dropped to 5-6 feet on Thursday. The swell is expected to hold out on Friday for another day of action.
Tune in live via webcast to follow Peterson and Coffin and to get up the minute results.
Coffin is up against USA teammate Kolohe Andino, Hawaiian Keanu Asing and Brazilian Jesse Mendes. Peterson must get past Australian Paige Haggerston, Peruvian Alexia Jeri and kiwi Jayda Fitzharris.
