NEWPORT BEACH, California (Saturday, June 7, 2008) – The Arnette Pro Junior presented by Jack’s Surfboards began this morning, kick-starting stop No. 4 of the 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) North America Pro Junior Series at 54th street in contestable, two-foot (1 metre) peaky conditions.
Although the winds were unfavorable today, surfers in the ASP Grade-2 Arnette Pro Junior shined, putting in explosive performances as the competitive field whittled from 80 down to 32.
Dillon Perillo, (Malibu, CA) dominated the competition today, posting the day’s highest single wave score during his Round 3 bout, a 9.25 out of possible 10 for unleashing three backhand blasts on a rare running lefthander. Perillo also scalped the highest combined heat score of the day in Round 2, collecting a 17.35 out of a possible 20.
“There’s small peaky wind swell out there, and I just tried to stay north and hold my ground and get the best waves,” Perillo said.
Perillo, who still has two years remaining in his ASP Pro Junior career, will look to build upon this season’s strong start, using today’s blistering performance as a confidence builder.
“I’m just going to try and do as many events as I can,” Perillo said. “I still have two years left in the Pro Junior, so it’s I‘m stoked to have a good start this season.”
Chris Eneim (Kauai, HI) dominated his Round 3 heat this afternoon, comboing his three fellow competitors, demonstrating a progressive repertoire on both his backhand and forehand.
“The surf was kind of small this morning, but then the tide came up,” Eneim said. “In that last heat I was able to get a couple of good ones.”
Eneim built up momentum throughout the day, advancing through his Round 1 and 2 heats and warming up for this afternoon’s Round 3 victory.
“It has been good for me to surf throughout the day,” Eneim said. “My board felt a little weird this morning, but I went for a couple of free surfs, and surfed a couple of heats, and it’s feeling really good now.”
Eric Snortum (Leucadia, CA) was another standout in today’s event, claiming victories in Rounds 2 and 3, and he will look to continue his dominating performance in tomorrow’s later rounds.
“The swell started picking up with the higher tide, and it’s getting really fun,” Snortum said. “ It definitely helps to get some good results in the earlier heats to get some confidence for the later rounds. Free surfing next to the contest area really helps me warm up too.”
Other standouts from today such as Luke Davis (Capistrano Beach, CA), Spencer Reagen (Ventura, CA) and Dane Zaun (South Bay, CA) will meet up with high seeds like Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), Jason Harris (Huntington Beach, CA) and current ratings leader on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL) when competition resumes tomorrow.
Tomorrow will see the culmination of the ASP Grade-2 Arnette Pro Junior pres. by Jack’s, crowning the inaugural event champion in the afternoon
Round 4 of the ASP Grade-2 Arnette Pro Junior will begin its webcast LIVE via www.ArnetteProJr.com at 8am tomorrow morning.
The Arnette Pro Junior is happy to have support from Jack’s, Red Bull, SURFER, SURFING, and WaveWatch.