Conner Coffin brings home $4,500 for his victory at the U.S. Open of Surfing Junior Pro. (ASP Photo/Lalande)
Conner Coffin locked up his second-straight Pro Junior championship at the U.S>Open of Surfing on Saturday, besting Carlos Munoz, Jake Halstead and Ramzi Boukhiam in the final heat with a winning two-wave score of 15.77.
“It’s insane, has to be one of the best feelings ever,” Coffin said right after his victory.
Coffin, a Santa Barbara native, exhibited expert wave selection in the final. He took off on only four waves, establishing himself early in the heat with an 8.17 on his first ride. Coffin added a 7.0 and a 7.60 on his second and third wave. His patience was on display as the 20-year-old waited 15 minutes between his first and second wave.
?I almost didn?t go on that first little left,? Coffin said. ?I thought there were going to be more waves, but that first one kept walling up on the inside and it felt good to start with an 8. It was a gnarly final and I knew an 8 wasn?t going to cut it. I felt a little relieved when I got the 7, but knew the guys were capable of big scores. I knew Carlos (Munoz) could throw some crazy Hail Mary and pull it. I was shaking during the last two minutes. I was so nervous, but this is the best feeling ever, winning and having my family chair me up the beach. Last year was awesome and I?m just so happy to win again.?
The swell was relatively quiet during the heat as Coffin found three waves to his liking in the 30-minute final. Halstead and Munoz took off on seven waves each.
South African Bianca Buitendag claimed the women’s Pro Junior.
It’s the third straight year that a Santa Barbara product has won a U.S. Open Pro Junior title as Lakey Peterson won in 2011 and Coffin in 2012.
The U.S. Open of Surfing concludes on Sunday, when the Men’s Pro, a Prime event, and the Women’s Pro, a World Tour stop, are to be decided.
TWITTER REACTION:
Congrats to @crcoffin your new #VansUSOpen Pro Junior champion! Yeww Conner! See more at http://t.co/XOoboI1DQJ pic.twitter.com/s0uoUAZFQM
? Hurley (@hurley) July 27, 2013
Congrats to our back to back 2012 / 2013 #vansusopen Jr Men’s Champion @crcoffin! ? US Open of Surfing (@usopenofsurf) July 27, 2013
Congrats to Conner Coffin once again! #ussurfopen#reppingforcarp
? Brooke Alonzo (@brooke_lyndsay) July 27, 2013
SO PROUD OF MY BOY CONNER COFFIN FOR WINNING HIS US OPEN PRO FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW???? pic.twitter.com/RBaeBp9QF9
? amanda guard (@shmandy_candy) July 27, 2013
congrats @crcoffin @Youngwisetails on back to back @usopenofsurf Jr. Men’s wins! #santabarbara #montecito #bringinghomethetrophy #805
? ZEUS (@zeusthagoose) July 27, 2013
