A detailed look at California’s surfing scenario
For two decades, Golden State surfers were the force to be reckoned with. Producing one sensational surfer after another, California kept on making a huge impact in the surfing community. However, the last decade turned out to be a completely different story.
The sun seemed to have set on California’s surfers as the spotlight shifted over to the Hawaiian, Australian and Brazilian surfers instead. It has been a while since the Golden State surfers had a great deal to cheer about in the competitive sense.
In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the Golden State surfers were earning themselves quite a reputation with their sensational performances. It was the era when California was being represented by the likes of Matt Archbold, Christian Fletcher, Tom Curren,
Shane Beschen, Rob Machado and Taylor Knox. Each of these names is well-respected in the surfing community because of the huge impact that they have made in the sport.
World titles were being brought home, victories were being amassed and the local fans were getting regular opportunities to celebrate. Today’s most intimidating surfer, Kelly Slater, was being kept at bay and facing a lot of hindrance in his ascension by
California’s formidable talent.
All was going well until the start of the last decade. The lights suddenly went out and California stopped producing performers. Whatever caused this to happen is debatable, but what followed this sudden blackout is of more significance.
While the Hawaiian, Australian and Brazilian surfers took over the reins and begin to dominate competition after competition, the Californian surfing community indulged in fancy new board designs, chasing big waves, and getting their movies filmed. They
seemed to have lost interest in making any competitive impact. Even though surfers like Dane Reynolds and Bobby Martinez are still making a huge effort to put smiles on the fan’s faces, they are getting lonely out there and desperately require a company of
a few more performers from California.
A common belief was prevalent in California’s surfing community that there will not be much going for them until the new generation comes of age and enters the American Surfing Professionals (ASP) competitive scene.
This new generation basically refers to the 10 up and coming talented surfers that have exhibited potential to make a huge impact in competitive surfing and once again make the sun shine brightly on California’s surfing scene.
Here is a glimpse of the talent that is on its’ way to pick from where the Californian surfers left off a decade ago.
1. Kolohe Andino
The 16-year-old Kolohe Andino is the most promising surfer that has already started striking fear into the hearts of the hardened world tour veterans. The young Californian is getting better day by day and all set to play a significant role in Gold State’s
resurgence.
2. Nat Young
Santa Cruz’s Nat Young has already entered the world’s stage, recently signing a deal with Nike 6.0. He will spend this year building his seed at top rated ASP star and prime events.
3. Andrew Doheny
An extremely versatile young gun, Andrew “Droid” Doheny has been part of a band, shaping boards for himself and his friends, running a website and grabbing wins at surfing contests. He has been one of California’s great hopes even before he hit puberty.
4. Luke Davis
Luke Davis is an NSSA West Coast champ and fixture on the ASP North American Junior circuit. He is a promising surfer with his exceptional skills and talent.
5. Dane Zaun
Dane Zaun is a creative surfer who has already experienced moderate competitive success. He is expected to stay in the ASP line up for years to come and make a huge impact.
6. Conner Coffin
Conner Coffin has an impeccable style that is bound to become a highlight of many surfing contests in the future. He is expected to walk into the legend’s footsteps.
7. Parker Coffin
Conner’s younger brother Parker Coffin is also a hope for California. The solid surfer has already started showing signs for a solid career. It’s just a matter of time before the young gun starts hitting the tides hard during the ASP events.
8. Dillon Perillo
Dillon Perillo has experienced a lot in a short while as part of the Rip Curl’s team of searchers. He is expected to come down heavily on his competition in the near future and gain a lot of prominence.
9. Kanoa Igarashi
Even though his roots lie in Japan, Kanoa is a true Californian in every sense of the word. The up-and-coming surfer made history at an age of 13 by having a 30-win NSSA season. Igarashi is dedicated to his surfing and one can only expect huge accomplishments
from the talented surfer.
10. Pat Curren
The “Curren” surname says it all. Youngest of Tom Curren’s children, one could only expect Pat Curren to be sensation at riding waves. He is expected to give the most talented of the competitors a real run for their money, and California’s hopes from him
are high.
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