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PRESS RELEASE
VOLCOM STONE'S BUTTERFISH SURF SERIES
VENTURA, CA
As we hit the road headed to Ventura with our phones ringing off the hook with reports of unridable conditions, and a forecast of smaller waves scheduled for the day of the contest. With the event in mother nature’s hands, we could only hope for something to ride. However for some reason, every VQS event this season, we end up scoring some rippable waves even when science says otherwise and this event was no exception. We pulled up to Pipes in Ventura to see some super clean 2-3 ft wedges breaking along the top of the point that looked downright fun. With an insane amount of kids filling the parking lot, we knew we were in for an incredible day of surfing and funny beach antics. We set up camp on the point in record time in order to fit the large number of competitors in, all of whom were excited to surf some heats and grab a hold of the incredible amount of product given out throughout the day, cold hard cash and some valuable point towards the 2009 VQS World Champs.
With a stacked pool of girls, the heats were nonstop action and the final was no exception. Lexi Vanderlieth hit the water with guns blazing grabbing two decent scores right off the bat. Laky Peterson quickly answered back, destroying the small conditions with her powerful attack. However, neither Lexi nor Laky were any match for Demi Boelsterli, who managed to grab two great waves which she artfully surfed for the win, an insane Riviera complete, and a backpack ready to malfunction from being stuffed so full of prizes. Frankie Harrer, Chelsea Rauhut, and Alex Ross rounded out the back half of the final.
The Juniors hit the water next and put on a show to remember. Ventura has always been a hot bed of surfing talent and year after year these young up and comers show that they are no exception. Conrad Carr started the heat off with a bang grabbing a long running right which he surfed with explosive power. Chance Lawson quickly grabbed a flurry of waves to give him a strong lead. Simon Murdock came on strong towards the end of the heat putting him in the winning position going into the final minutes. Just as the heat looked like it was Simon’s for the taking, Conrad was able to find a solid backup score giving him the win, a backpack bursting at the seams with prizes, and a mental Riviera complete. London O’ Reagan, Noah Aranita, and Evan Gambetta were ripping all day and brought up the rest of the final.
After the explosive Junior’s performance, the Groms looked fired up as they sprinted out to the rippable little rights. Kent Nishiya looked like a sure fire favorite heading into the final coming off a VQS season filled with wins everywhere from the Goldfish in Central Cal, to the Blowfish in San Diego. Kent got the heat moving with a nice little wave which he destroyed with his vertical backhand attack. Jake Kelley got fired up by Kent’s wave and grabbed one shortly after which he went ballistic on giving him the slight edge over Kent. Pat Curren wasn’t about to let his local knowledge go to waste and grabbed two great waves to give him the leading position for much of the heat. Jake struggled for much of the heat to find a decent backup for his earlier wave, but as the seconds ticked down, he managed to find a nice little right which he blew up on to give him the backup he needed, the win, a nuts Volcom BMX Bike, and more prizes then he could fit in his man sized hands. Skylar Lawson, Andrew Jacobson and Will Dove were all clear stand outs throughout the day but had to settle for 4th, 5th, and 6th in the action packed final.
The Pro-Am division was up last and proved to be the showdown everyone was waiting for. Ventura is one of those areas where everyone from top pros to young up and comers all show up for the VQS contests, and the final is never one to miss. This time it was no exception and from the very beginning down to the final buzzer it was nonstop obliteration of the clean little rights rolling down the point. Adam Lambert was a clear standout, winning the Electric Volt Thrower move of the day for a huge frontside blast that had the judges tingling with energy. Blake Howard was looking for the cash after a slew of second place finishes this season the likes of which had never been seen by any VQS competitor. Howard blew up in the final, but once again had to settle for the second place curse when the final buzzer rang. Cory Arrambide was an absolute machine nailing two scores in the excellent range making him the clear winner. For his ridiculous backhand attack, Cory grabbed himself 500 dollars cash, a Riviera complete and a backpack bursting with an obscene amount of prizes. Kilian Garland, Adam Virs and Kellen Ellison all had been ripping but couldn’t find the waves they needed in the final and had to settle for the backup spots.
Special Thanks Goes Out To Our Product Sponsors:
ELECTRIC VISUAL
MONSTER ENERGY DRINK
FUEL TV
RIVIERA SKATEBOARDS
SKULL CANDY
DVS SHOES
VESTAL
PRO-LITE
X-TRAK
FUTURE FINS
OGIO
FAMOUS WAX
H20 AUDIO
SPECK PRODUCTS
EBOOST
SUN CURE & DING ALL
HEADHUNTERS
SURFING
SURFER
TRANSWORLD SURF
BLISSS MAGAZINE
Extra special thanks to Chipotle for providing some amazing burritos for all the competitors.
RESULTS
PRO-AM
1. Cory Arrambide $500
2. Blake Howard
3. Adam Lambert
4. Kilian Garland
5. Adam Virs
6. Kellen Ellison
JUNIORS
1. Conrad Carr
2. Simon Murdock
3. Chance Lawson
4. London O'Reagan
5. Noah Aranita
6. Evan Gambetta
GROMS
1. Jake Kelley
2. Pat Curren
3. Kent Nishiya
4. Skylar Lawson
5. Andrew Jacobson
6. Will Dove
GIRLS
1. Demi Boelsterli
2. Lakey Peterson
3. Lexi Vanderlieth
4. Frankie Harrer
5. Chelsea Rauhut
6. Alex Ross
Electric Volt Thrower
Adam Lambert $50
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