USA Team Trials in California
This year I was selected and invited to try out for the USA
team trials in California by the ESA. I had been offered the
same opportunity the year before but was unable to attend
so I was so stoked this year to finally be going. I was a
little nervous knowing ahead of time that I would be going
up against some of the most known name girls in the nation
but at the same time I had to tell myself that they were just
other girls like myself and no matter what all I could do
was go out there and surf my best.
I contacted all my sponsors ahead of time to see how they
may help me out and was very pleased to have extreme help
from Surfsling, Viking, and Ron Jons. I really have to give
it to these guys because they were such a big help and like
several times before I couldn't have done it without them.
I was also extremely happy to have two brand new Roxy wetsuits
that worked great during all my heats. So, after everthing
was together my dad and I set out for my first time to the
USA team trials and his first time to California.
We arrived at the John Wayne Airport around noon on Saturday
and immediately set out to find our hotel and then to go to
the beach. After finding our hotel that's exactly what we
did. I ended up surfing at Hunington Pier for the first couple
days since the contest didn't start till Tuesday so I could
get a feel for the way it broke. I didn't surf in the contest
till Thursday so until then Dad and I wondered around between
surfing Lower Tressels and the Huntington Pier. I was feeling
great throughout the week and I was ready for the first day
of competition.
In my first heat of womens 18 and under I had Courtney Conolog
(a well known girl on the west coast), and a good friend Liza
from Puerto Rico. I surfed extremely well and got one of the
strongest backside hits I think I've ever done. I gave Courtney
a run for her money, but still came in second, never the less
I made it to the next round.
In my second heat, womens 16 and under there were four girls
including me and I surfed well and took first place advancing
onto the next round. I was a little shook up during this heat
because on one of my first waves I ran right over a seal missing
it by an inch and that kinda freeked me out. I was stoked
that day having felt like I accomplish alot, but I still had
the next day to think about.
On Friday I was still feeling the shock of the day before
and hoped I could do the same if not better. I did my usual
stretches and run in the morning before surfing and Dad and
I got our usual breakfast at the Sugar Shack Cafe. He would
get Oatmeal and I would get fruit and Cereal. I had a good
free surf session and I felt ready to go.
My 18 and under heat was first and I had three Californeans
alreay on the USA surf team to surf against. I surfed really
well and my dad was proud of me, but the other girls still
did better and I came in third. I still had the other division
to look forward to though.
The heat started out pretty good and I got a good wave under
my belt and was looking for a backup wave to get me into second
place since I only needed a 1.9 to move up. I knew that if
I could get any sort of wave I could get the score I needed
or even better. All of us girls were sitting on the outside
waiting for a set and NOTHING was coming through. I was thinking
of going to the way inside to catch anything but I didn't
want to take the chance of leaving all the other girls out
the back if a set came through or I'd be finished. I was going
crazy! We had been waiting for almost ten minuets and still
nothing had come through! The buzzer rang to soon just as
a set was approaching and none of us were abble to get hold
of one. I was so bummed out knowing I only needed a 1.9. I
felt much better though after some encouraging words from
Joey Buran (USA team coach), but I was not so enthusiastic.
I was still glad to had been invited out of so many kids
from all over the nation and also greatful to had made it
out of my first heat. Even though I didn't have the best of
luck in the contest, me and Dad decided to turn it into a
fun vacation anyways surfing wherever I pleased. It was quite
an experience and I definently learned and got something out
of it. I really thank my dad for taking me there and encouraging
me through everything and I'm glad he had a good time on his
first trip to California.
In the meantime I will be preparing for next year and working
hard to earn an invite back to the USA Surfing Championships
and Team Trials.
|
