Kaua‘i ‘s Zietz, Ramey make it to semifinals in Pro Junior by The Garden Island VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Aaron Cormican of Florida successfully defended his East Coast Surfing Championships crown Sunday, defeating Jadson Andre of Brazil, Californians Adam Virs
Kaua‘i ‘s Zietz, Ramey make it to semifinals in Pro Junior
by The Garden Island
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Aaron Cormican of Florida successfully defended his East Coast Surfing Championships crown Sunday, defeating Jadson Andre of Brazil, Californians Adam Virs and Kellen Ellison to claim his second consecutive title at Virginia Beach.
“I’ve been trying to pace myself all week and save a bit in the tank for the finals,” Cormican said. “There was a little bit of pressure I put on myself to perform after last season, but it didn’t really hit me until the final today. I’m super stoked I came out with the win. It means a lot.”
Kaua‘i’s Kyle Ramey of Po‘ipu and Sebastien Zietz of Hanalei proved to be standouts on the East Coast in the ECSC Pro Junior.
Zietz took top honors on day 2 of the event, netting an event-high heat total of a 15.00 out of a possible 20 for his blistering forehand approach.
“It seems like the waves have picked up a bit and we had a lot of waves in our heat,” Zietz said in a release. “It’s cool to come to Virginia and compete. There are a lot of people on the beach and it looks like the crowd will only build throughout the weekend.”
The next day, Ramey was at the top of his game. The young natural-footer blitzed his way into the quarterfinals.
“I’ve just been able to get into a good rhythm out there in my heats,” Ramey said in a release. “My board has been working really well and I’m hoping to just continue in both the ‘QS and Pro Junior. Everything has been feeling really good so we’ll just see how things go this weekend.”
Zietz and Ramey made it all the way to the semifinals of the junior men’s division where they were placed in the same heat. Zietz then defeated Ramey with a score of 12.10.
But the ECSC Pro Junior went to Miguel Pupo who defeated Zietz, Blake Jones of Florida and local superstar Phillip Goold of Virginia Beach.
Pupo, who has been a standout on the international stage in recent years, netted a 16.00 out of a possible 20.
“This has been my first time competing in Virginia Beach and I had a great result,” Pupo said in a release. “Coming to America and competing against their best juniors has been a really good experience. Hopefully I can carry this momentum throughout the rest of the year.”
