Evan Geiselman gets it done

Stop number five of nine on the men’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series and number one of three on the women’s, the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior’s ASP 4-Star status plays a vital role in surfers’ chances of qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.

Geiselman, who belted the highest single-wave score of the competition—a near-perfect 9.50 out of 10 in his Semifinal heat—maintained his form in the Final with calculated wave selection to take his first ASP Pro Junior event win of 2011. The Floridian got the best of a low-scoring bout over current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, Chase Wilson (Newport Beach, CA), 20, and Dane Zaun (Holyglen, CA), 20, to move Geiselman to the number-two position on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series.

“It was kind of a sluggish final for me and the rest of the competitors and I was pretty tired out there, but I’m so happy to get a win and get some momentum going,” Geiselman said. “I’m not having the best year like last year so I’m so excited. I just want to thank my mom for helping me out lately. She flew out here before the event and has been doing everything for me.”

Geiselman, who had struggled to find the podium after clinching his 2010 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Title, looks at the victory as a confidence booster before entering the upcoming ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior and is hungry to hunt down current series leader and close friend Kolohe Andino in an attempt to repeat his regional title.

“I want to do really well at Lowers and try and catch Brother [Kolohe Andino] and try to make it a bit of a race,” Geiselman said. “This win helps my confidence after a slow start this year and I’m so excited for the next event.”

Peterson, the defending Women’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion, quietly advanced through the early rounds of the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior before unleashing a dominant performance in the Final. The talented regular-footer combined committed snaps and rail work on both her forehand and backhand in the Final to top fellow competitors Nage Melemed (HAW), 17, Leila Hurst (HAW), 17, and Taylor Pitz (Laguna Beach, CA), 18, to take the lead on the women’s 2011 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Rankings.

Lakey Peterson stoked on her winnings

“The final was super fun and the waves were super good the whole time,” Peterson said. “The waves never really stopped which was nice. I didn’t really have that good of heats in the beginning and I had been sick in bed the past few days. All of the girls were surfing so well and I’m excited to win.”

The young Californian’s win marks a perfect start to her 2011 ASP Pro Junior campaign as she looks to retain her regional title while hunting for a position on the ASP World Junior Tour.

“I want to go to Worlds and this result puts me in a good position,” Peterson said. “Hopefully I can get a couple more results this year.”

Peterson, who has been competing in the major ASP Women’s Star events across the globe, carried the confidence from her international experience into the ASP Pro Junior contest.

“Competing in the Star-rated events definitely helps my confidence going into these contests,” Peterson said. “I was watching my friends in the Bells contest when I was sick in bed and that kind of got me amped up for today.”

For Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior presented by Hurley, Reef and Whole Foods highlights, log on to www.robmachadoprojr.com

For additional information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

The next stop on the 2011 ASP North America Pro Junior Series will be the ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior, which will run in conjunction with the ASP PRIME Nike Lowers Pro from May 3 through 7, 2011.

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Final Results:
1 – Evan Geiselman (USA) 11.17
2 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.67
3 – Chase Wilson (USA) 8.47
4 – Dane Zaun (USA) 7.26

Women’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Final Results:
1 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.76
2 – Nage Melamed (HAW) 11.10
3 – Leila Hurst (HAW) 6.60
4 – Taylor Pitz (USA) 6.40

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Chase Wilson (USA) 12.83, Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.17, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.90, Derek Peters (USA) 7.50
Heat 2: Evan Geiselman (USA) 16.33, Dane Zaun (USA) 13.33, Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.14, Fisher Heverly (USA) 5.10

Women’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Nage Melamed (HAW) 12.07, Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.90, Meah Collins (USA) 7.17, Chelsea Roett (USA) 6.90
Heat 2: Taylor Pitz (USA) 8.73, Leila Hurst (HAW) 8.66, Brianna Cope (HAW) 8.30, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 6.60

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.10, Chase Wilson (USA) 12.50, Luke Davis (USA) 10.47, Victor Done (USA) 9.10
Heat 2: Derek Peters (USA) 10.43, Andrew Doheny (USA) 7.04, Ian Gentil (HAW) 6.33, Jake Marshall (USA) 5.60
Heat 3: Keanu Asing (HAW) 16.67, Evan Geiselman (USA) 14.33, Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 10.90, Evan Thompson (USA) 9.33
Heat 4: Dane Zaun (USA) 14.66, Fisher Heverly (USA) 12.43, Taylor Brothers (USA) 8.20, Makai McNamara (HAW) 7.63

Women’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.73, Chelsea Roett (BRB) 8.83, Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 8.00, Shelby Detmers (USA) 6.83
Heat 2: Nage Melamed (HAW) 10.33, Meah Collins (USA) 6.43, Chandler Parr (USA) 5.90, Jasset Umbel (USA) 3.10
Heat 3: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 15.60, Leila Hurst (HAW) 12.50, Kylie Loveland (USA) 5.56, Haley Watson (USA) 5.40
Heat 4: Taylor Pitz (USA) 12.70, Brianna Cope (HAW) 7.67, Jordan Hundley (USA) 6.20

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Round of 32 Results:
Heat 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.16, Jake Marshall (USA) 6.04, Trevor Thornton (USA) 5.50, Jake Halstead (USA) 4.17
Heat 2: Chase Wilson (USA) 12.73, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.07, Balaram Stack (USA) 8.37, Albee Layer (HAW) 5.57
Heat 3: Derek Peters (USA) 11.03, Luke Davis (USA) 10.80, J.D. Lewis (USA) 9.70, Nathan Carvalho (HAW) 7.33
Heat 4: Andrew Doheney (USA) 10.80, Victor Done (USA) 10.60, Ian Crane (USA) 10.16, Ian Simmons (USA)
Heat 5: Evan Geiselman (USA) 16.60, Tayler Brothers (USA) 9.50, Koa Smith (HAW) 8.17, Taylor Thorne (USA) 7.17
Heat 6: Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 11.50, Makai McNamara (HAW) 10.00, Conner Coffin (USA) 9.73, Dylan Goodale (HAW) 8.57
Heat 7: Fisher Heverly (USA) 13.60, Evan Thompson (USA) 10.17, P.J. Raia (USA) 8.73
Heat 8: Dane Zaun (USA) 13.33, Keanu Asing (HAW) 12.47, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 12.00, Taylor Clark (USA) 7.83

Special thanks to presenting sponsors, Hurley, Reef, and Whole Foods Market. Also the additional supporters of the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Experience, Dragon, Nixon, DaKine, Channel Islands, Sambazon, GoPro, Futures Fins, Surfline, Concordia, TDG, Pacific Station and Surfer Magazine.

Stop No. 5 of 9 on the men’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series and No. 1 of 3 for the women, the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior will play a vital role in top surfers’ campaigns towards qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.

Tanner Hendrickson found two rare high-scoring right-handers at Seaside Reef to notch a healthy heat total of 13.36 out of 20, the second-highest of the day, to scalp a victory over fellow Hawaiian Koa Smith (Kilauea, HAW), 16, who advanced in second, North Carolina’s Dylan Kowalski (Wrightsville Beach, NC), 16, and Tommy Wehsener (Encinitas, CA).

“I love going right, I was looking for the lefts and couldn’t really find them so when I saw a few rights coming in I just figured I’d take off and try and get my scores,” Hendrickson said. “The waves were pretty fun and I saw a couple of the guys surfing well. It was a fun heat with waves all of the time.”

Jacob Halstead, who was a finalist in last month’s ASP 4-Star Vans Pier Classic, made the short drive to Seaside from his home of La Jolla and capitalized on his familiarity of the nearby break to take a convincing heat victory to open his Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior campaign.

“I’m really stoked, the last 4-Star was in Huntington and I got a good result and it boosted my confidence for this contest,” Halstead said. “It’s good living 20 minutes away from here so I can come up and surf and Seaside is a lot like my home break. I feel on and I like this wave, it’s a good wave for power surfing.”

Halstead, current No. 5 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, is looking to retain his position among the nation’s top under-21 talent with another impressive result at the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior to achieve his goal of qualifying for the ASP World Junior Tour.

“I really want to make it to the World Juniors,” Halstead said. “It’s one of my biggest goals for this year and I have some good boards. I’m stoked to get a good start in this contest and hopefully I can make my way into the Final.”

Balaram Stack (Point Lookout, NY), 19, took a solid Round of 48 heat victory in the punchy surf at Seaside Reef over up-and-comers Parker Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA), 15, and Shaw Kobayashi (San Clemente, CA), 15, to move into the top seeded Round of 32.

“It’s always good to get the first heat out of the way,” Stack said. “I’m in the money round now so that’s always good. I just try and go out there and get a score for myself and I’m happy to make it into the next round.”

Stack, current No. 7 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, is also looking to achieve his goal of a spot among the global junior elite for 2011 on his last year of eligibility on the ASP North America regional tour.

“I’ve never done a whole full year with contests, so this year I’m doing every one and hope to qualify for Worlds,” Stack said. “Hopefully I do well and make it.”

Alessa Quizon absolutely dominated Seaside’s lefthanders on her forehand, notching two wave scores of 8.17 and 6.98 to convincingly advance through to the women’s Quarterfinals.

“I was watching the heats earlier and it looked complicated, but I just got out there and it got clean and all of these lefts started coming in,” Quizon said. “It was fun and one of the best lefts I’ve surfed in awhile.”

Quizon, who finished 10th on last year’s ASP World Junior Tour, is also out to capitalize on the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior’s crucial rankings points towards her requalification campaign for this year’s elite junior series.

“I missed my prom and I think it was worth coming up here because I really want to do well to qualify for the Worlds,” Quizon said. “It’s mainly why I’m here and I hope I do well.”

Tomorrow’s action will see early round standouts take on the event’s top seeds including reigning ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 17, and current regional series rankings leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, among other top names.

Also surfing tomorrow will be the defending women’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion Lakey Peterson (Santa Barbara, CA), 16.

The Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior presented by Hurley, Reef and Whole Foods Market will crown both men’s and women’s champions tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, 2011. To watch the event  LIVE log on to http://www.robmachadoprojr.com/

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Round of 48 Results:
Heat 1: Jacob Halstead (USA) 12.17, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.33, Evan Kane (USA) 6.30, Bobby Okvist (USA) 5.57
Heat 2: Balaram Stack (USA) 11.14, Trevor Thornton (USA) 8.90, Parker Coffin (USA) 6.40, Shaw Kobayashi (USA) 3.50
Heat 3: J.D. Lewis (USA) 10.67, Ian Simmons (USA) 9.36, Jeremy Carter (USA) 7.94, Doug Van Mierlo (USA) 7.64
Heat 4: Ian Crane (USA) 11.00, Derek Peters (USA) 10.17, Ryan Croteau (USA) 8.07, Jared Thorne (USA) 7.37
Heat 5: Taylor Thorne (USA) 11.34, Makai McNamara (HAW) 10.16, Eli Viszolay (USA) 8.27, Cameron Faris (USA) 4.77
Heat 6: Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 13.36, Koa Smith (HAW) 12.37, Dylan Kowalski (USA) 9.80, Scott Wehsener (USA) 3.63
Heat 7: Hiroto Arai (JPN) 12.74, Taylor Clark (USA) 10.13, Derrick Disney (USA) 10.10, Keto Burns (USA) 7.53
Heat 8: Dane Zaun (USA) 8.90, P.J. Raia (USA) 6.80, Cole Moody (USA) 5.14, Scott Weinhardt (USA) 3.83

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Men’s Round of 64 Results:
Heat 1: Evan Kane (USA) 8.80, Parker Coffin (USA) 8.40, Nic Hdez (USA) 7.84, Carlos Munoz (CRI) 7.10
Heat 2: Trevor Thornton (USA) 9.94, Bobby Okvist (USA) 9.63, Cristobal De Col (PER) 9.50, Colton Sarlo (USA) 5.10
Heat 3: Jeremy Carter (USA) 9.60, Ryan Croteau (USA) 6.27, Canon Call (USA) 5.74, Austin Rowe (USA) 5.60
Heat 4: Derek Peters (USA) 8.90, Ian Simmons (USA) 7.60, Matty Lewis (USA) 7.00, Theo Lewitt (USA) 4.80
Heat 5: Eli Viszolay (USA) 10.43, Tommy Wehsner (USA) 10.10, Cole Richards (USA) 8.93, Christian Saenz (USA) 8.50
Heat 6: Koa Smith (HAW) 11.07, Cameron Faris (USA) 5.67, Giorgio Gomez (USA) 5.44, Christian Ramirez (USA) 2.77
Heat 7: Derrick Disney (USA) 8.37, Cole Moody (USA) 6.67, Kalani David (HAW) 5.17,  Antoine Allain (USA) 5.57
Heat 8: Scott Weinhardt (USA) 14.66, Hiroto Arai (JPN) 10.10, Adam Goldstone (USA) 8.80, Chris Tucker (USA) 8.27

Men’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Men’s Round of 72 Results:
Heat 1: Carlos Munoz (CRI) 11.17, Bobby Okvist (USA) 8.93, Takumi Yasui (JPN) 7.93
Heat 2: Jeremy Carter (USA) 9.30, Matty Lewis (USA) 7.40, Britton Galland (USA) 5.86, Travis Southworth (MEX) 5.73
Heat 3: Eli Viszolay (USA) 8.17, Giorgio Gomez (USA) 7.17, Zack Emge (USA) 4.71, Julien Desario (USA) 1.20
Heat 4: Antoine Allain (USA) 7.47, Adam Goldstone (USA) 7.43, Kelly Zaun (USA) 6.40, Sasha Donnanno (MEX) 4.90

Women’s Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Round of 24 Results:
Heat 1: Shelby Detmers (USA) 7.93, Chandler Parr (USA) 6.40, Frankie Harrer (USA) 4.80, Reika Noro (JPN) 4.10
Heat 2: Nage Melamed (HAW) 7.84, Chelsea Roett (BRB) 7.67, Bailey Nagy (HAW) 6.77, Lani Doherty (HAW) 5.84
Heat 3: Alessa Quizon (HAW 15.10, Brianna Cope (HAW) 9.13, Alexa Frantz (USA) 8.74, MacKenzie Kessler (USA) 1.00
Heat 4: Jordan Hundley (USA) 8.00, Kylie Loufland (USA) 6.56, Alisha Gonsalves (USA) 3.27, Asaya Brusa (MEX) 2.87

Special thanks to presenting sponsors, Hurley, Reef, and Whole Foods Market. Also the additional supporters of the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior Experience, Dragon, Nixon, DaKine, Channel Islands, Sambazon, GoPro, Futures Fins, Surfline, Concordia, TDG, Pacific Station and Surfer Magazine.

Alessa Quizon

Stop No. 5 of 9 on the men’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series and No. 1 of 3 for the women, the ASP 4-Star Pro Junior event will play a vital role in surfers’ chances to qualify for the elite ASP World Junior Tour.

Hitting the water in the opening rounds of the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior will be up-and-comer Parker Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA), Ian Gentil (Maui, HAW), Koa Smith (Kauai, HAW), and Jacob Halstead (La Jolla, CA).

The Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior presented by Hurley, Reef and Whole Foods Market will run on April 22 and 23 and is webcast LIVE via www.robmachadoprojr.com

For additional ASP information log on to www.aspworldtour.com or www.aspnorthamerica.org

Upcoming Round of 72 Rob Machado Pro Junior Heats:
Heat 1: Carlos Munoz (CRI), Bobby Okvist (USA), Nick Fowler (USA), Takumi Yasui (JPN)
Heat 2: Britton Galland (USA), Jeremy Carter (USA), Asher Wales (AUS), Travis Southworth (MEX)
Heat 3: Eli Viszolay (USA), Giorgio Gomez (USA), Julien Desario (USA), Saxon Lumsden (USA)
Heat 4: Antoine Allain (USA), Adam Goldstone (USA), Sasha Donnanno (MEX), Kelly Zaun (USA)

Upcoming women’s Round of 24 Heats:
Heat 1: Shelby Detmers (USA), Chandler Parr (USA), Frankie Harrer (USA), Reika Noro (JPN)
Heat 2: Lani Doherty (HAW), Bailey Nagy (HAW), Chelsea Roett (BRB), Nage Melamed (HAW)
Heat 3: Alessa Cuizon (HAW), Alexa Frantz (USA), MacKenzie Kessler (USA), Brianna Cope (HAW)
Heat 4: Catherine Clark (USA), Asaya Brusa (MEX), Alisha Gonsalves (USA), Jordan Hundley (USA)