
2017 PRO/AM WINNER AUSTIN FINLEY
0RVLT Surf & Paddle has been producing between 8-10 events each summer season for 11 consecutive years. This year seemed to have been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding seasons to date.
Competing surf events have continually stepped on RSSS dates & even targeted their locations over the summer. While there was some shuffling of dates & locations & even a postponement of the final RSSS – Battle At Beachfest… it seemed to work out in favor of the surfers and the RSSS event each time. Big turnouts, great weather & perfect contest waves seem to be the norm this season.
The rescheduled final RSSS event #4 at The Ocean Beach Pier on Oct 28 was no exception. Athletes traveled from around the globe to compete in this final event of the 2017 season. Surfers representing Brazil, Peru, Guam & Japan showed up to challenge the best that Southern California has to offer.
Top surfers in the Pro Am division included Jay Christensen, Austin Finley, Taishi Kume, Gustavo Araujo & Gentry Gard – all were competing for overall points champion & were surfing at a higher level the entire day – the final heats saw some of the best surfing of the entire season.
Austin Finley (son of All-Star, World Series Champion – Steve Finley) took hold of the Pro Am division early & continued surfing strong the entire day. All heats saw solid surfing, big airs & plenty of action in the consistent surf. The final heat of the day included Finley, Christensen, Araujo & Gard surfing in fair 2-4 foot conditions. Many hundreds were on hand cheering from the beach, boardwalk and Ocean Beach Pier. As the SW swell gave way to a NW swell in the late afternoon, all four riders continued punting massive airs, firing down the line & tucking into an occasional tube to the delight of the many spectators. While Gustavo Araujo took the daily win – Finley won the overall points Championship Title over Jay Christensen with a difference of only 12 points. Undoubtedly the closest & most dramatic finish seen in 11 years. The athletes split the cash purse & Austin took home a Winter Season Pass to Big Bear Mt Resorts. Jay Christensen took the daily win in the Men’s 18+ Open while Gustavo claimed Overall Season Points Champion and a sweet portable BULLFROG Jump sound system courtesy of Kicker Audio.
Maddie Garlough won the daily, while Rachael Breitner took the season win in the Women’s Pro Am division – Rachel took home a Winter Season Pass to Big Bear for her efforts.
Outstanding performances all around in the Jr. Men & Jr. Boys division with Steven Muschett, Graham New & Ari Engel stacked up against Riley Morgan who won Overall Points and a brand new Xterra Surf Wetsuit.
HUGE SHOUT TO ALL OUR 2017 SPONSORS!!! Hodad’s (Presenting Sponsor) Kicker Audio, Rock and Roll San Diego, XTERRA Surf, Snow Summit & Big Bear Mountain Resorts, KAABOO Del Mar, Liquid Foundation, Julie Design, EKZO, Bio 2 Organic, AWOL Productions, Space Jam Juice, Petersen Dean Solar 4 America, Viva La Vacay, Inn At Sunset Cliffs
RSSS #4 Results & 2017 OVERALL POINTS CHAMPIONS
Men’s Pro/Am
1st – Gustavo Araujo
2nd – Austin Finley – Overall Points Winner – Season Pass Bear MTN/Snow Summit
3rd – Jay Christenson
4th – Gentry Gard
Women’s Pro/Am
1st – Maddie Garlough
2nd – Kirra Silver
3rd – Rachel Breitner – Overall Points Winner – Season Pass Bear MTN/Snow Summit
4th – Amanda Moland
Men’s Open 18+
1st – Jay Christenson
2nd – Gustavo Araujo – Overall Points Winner – Kicker Audio Bullfrog
3rd – JD Lewis
Women’s Open 18+
Kirra Silver – Overall Points Winner – Kicker Audio Bullfrog
Men’s Master’s 40+
1st – Nik Wilkenson – Overall Points Winner – Kicker Audio Amphitheatre
2nd – Charlie Rick
3rd – Memo Mendez
Men’s Longboard
1st – Nate Strom
2nd – William Slattery
3rd – Nick Isabella – Overall Points Winner – Kicker Audio Wireless Headphones
Women’s Longboard
1st – Lauren Canavan
2nd – Rachel Breitner
3rd – Alizee Hazan
4th – Pearl Moore – Overall Points Winner – Xterra Surf Wetsuite
Jr Men’s 17-15
1st – Steven Muschett
2nd – Graham New
3rd – Ari Engel
4th – Riley Morgan – Overall Points Winner – Xterra Surf Wetsuit
Jr Boys 14-13
1st – Ari Engel – Overall Points Winner – Kicker Audio Waterproof Speaker
2nd – Alex Cockrell
3rd – Evan Gallen
Grom Boys
1st – Kai Anderson
2nd – Elai Hanwit – Overall Points Winner – Kicker Audio Waterproof Speaker
3rd – Lewis Aberie
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