Day three is in the books. Photo: Stockdale
Wild and wooly in Belmar today, kids. The Fosters Belmar Pro marched on, setting the stage for a huge finish on Sunday.
We also ran our first ever webcast today, thanks to The Surfers View. There were some bumps to work out, but overall, people seemed pretty stoked to watch their favorite surfer from the comfort of their own living rooms, basements, offices, kitchens and man caves.
Yesterday’s clean three to five-foot lines were replaced with windblown two to three-foot waves, but thankfully, at the right tide, it was bowling.
Tanner Strohmenger's air game got him through. Photo: Stockdale
The day started with the Fins Pro Junior quaterfinals (and some sick egg sandwiches, courtesy of said sponsor.) Evan Thompson, of Jacksonville, Florida, kicked some very impressive forehand slashes, as did Matty Lewis. The Junior Mens will pick up on Sunday with the semifinals.
Local boy, Tommy Ihnken spun, but fell short. Photo: Stockdale
Here are today’s Fins Jr. Pro results:
QF 1: Evan Thompson (USA) 11.90, Tanner Strohmenger (USA) 10.50, Taylor Clark (USA) 8.53, Joe Diamond (USA) 5.44
QF 2: Matty Lewis (USA) 11.13, Jacob Davis (USA) 10.43, Christian Saenz (USA) 10.13, Tommy Ihnken (USA) 2.56
QF 3: Nick Hdez (USA) 12.23, Parker Coffin (USA) 12.07, Trevor Thornton (USA) 11.27, Jake Kelley (USA) 8.36
QF 4: Colin Moran (USA) 14.50, Cole Richards (USA) 9.83, PJ Raia (USA) 7.47, Nathan Behl (USA) 5.67
Jesse Hileman, of Florida, posted an event-high 8.77 to start things off for the Men. But, if you’re a New Jersey surf fan, you had to be stoked on the good day for New Jersey rippers. Matt Keenan, Dean Randazzo, and Sam Hammer won three consecutive heats over some solid competition. Last year’s champ, Michael Dunphy, of VB, also advanced.
Cassidy McClaine pushed to tomorrow's semis. Photo: Stockdale.
The Hannah Womens Pro standouts included newcomer to Belmar, Darsha Pigford, of NC, who tore into some end sections to post a massive 15.34 heat total. You have to imagine that she and returning champ, Jamie DeWitt, will meet in both the semis and the finals tomorrow for classic showdowns.
No surprises in the Monster Energy Longboard Pro as the usual suspects Mikey Detemple, Tony Silvagni, and Ty Roach all advanced. Fresh face, Rene Gough, of the Dominican Republic also stood out today.
Tony Silvagni owned his heat. No surprise there. Photo: Stockdale.
And a little wind won’t keep the Jersey people down. Despite chilly north breezes, a healthy crowd filled the shoreline, tent city, and Vitamin Water stage. Belmar’s Minister of Entertainment, Barry Peterson hosted plenty of roots reggae. Barry and the Penetrators and the Solid Few will play 507 Main St. tonight for the official Fosters Belmar Pro Saturday night throw down. This is all ages.
According to SwellInfo, the surf should come up tomorrow, with more onshore winds. Dress warm and prepare to get crazy. Heats start at 8 a.m. All the finals run on Sunday.
What's the Belmar Pro without Barry and the Penetrators? Photo: Stockdale
