lakey
Lakey Peterson (USA), 19, 2012 US Open Champion, continued her affinity with Huntington Beach lineup, sticking to the Pierbowl rights to take a Quarterfinals slot over Dimity Stoyle (AUS), 22, who leaves the competition in equal 9th place. “In that heat I was trying to be selective and get back into my rhythm,” said Lakey Peterson. “It’s such a young group of people on the Women’s Tour and it’s really cool. Everyone is really pushing the sport right now and it’s great to be a part of that. Steph (Gilmore) is one of my favorite surfers so I’m really looking forward to my Quarterfinal against her.” Photo: ASP/ Morris
The Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach is a carnival. It’s not really about surfing – it’s more about the scene, which is pretty awesome, even though it sometimes involves a riot or two. The surfing just acts as a catalyst, of sorts. People show up. People party. People surf. But most of all, people party. And while Huntington doesn’t normally get amazing waves (it’s a surf contest in California in mid-summer), it does get amazing surfers, and they do pretty amazing things on not-so-amazing waves. See proof above. One-to-three foot slop doesn’t usually equal gouging turns and big-ass boosts, but somehow, amid the Huntington cacophony, those were both accomplished.