nikki
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 19, matched the best result of her rookie season, besting replacement surfer Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 20. The rookie pair would engage in a close battle, but The Australian edged out the Hawaiian by a score of 12.90 to 12.50. “That was a really fun heat and Tatiana (Weston-Webb) is surfing really well so congratulations to her,” said Nikki Van Dijk. “She’s pushing all the girls on Tour as a wildcard. Malia (Manuel) is surfing amazing right now so I’ve got nothing to lose in my Quarterfinal against her. I just want to do my best surfing and I’m stoked to be in the Quarters. I’d love to keep going so I’ll just push it as hard as I can, have fun and enjoy surfing Huntington.” 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.