SUNRISE SURF SHOP WINS FIFTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN SURF SHOP CHALLENGE HISTORY
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RIVAS, Nicaragua, October 30, 2017 – Seven Regional Champion surf shop teams from around the U.S. traveled to Nicaragua to compete in the 2017 Oakley Surf Shop Challenge National Championships. Four-to-six foot surf welcomed competitors at Playa Colorado’s where Sunrise Surf Shop became five-time National Champions.
Heat One featured 7th Street Surf Shop (NE), Pacific Wave (NW) and Sweetwater (MA) kicking off competition with 7th Street coming out swinging posting a 27.46 heat total. Heat 2 was a scoring frenzy as Sunrise posted a heat high of 33.87, Huntington Surf and Sport (HSS) with a 33.01, T&C Surf posting a 30.26, and Sun Diego a 21.97.
Sunrise Surf Shop, defending National Champions HSS, and T&C Surf advanced to the final while the other four teams battled it out for the last spot in the final, that was Sweetwater advance.
Sunrise was on a mission to upset the defending champions, but HSS wasn’t letting them get off easy. Shop rider Tristan Thompson opened the gates with 6.9 and the eldest Thompson brother followed taking to the air posting a 9.6. HSS responded with a whammy 8.17 from Brett Simpson and an 8.87 from Brad Ettinger. Sunrise’s whammy surfer Evan Thompson secured the victory with an 8.6 as Sunrise beat HSS 38.17 to 37.10 respectively.
“This was the closest National Championships we’ve been a part of,” said Evan Thompson of Sunrise Surf Shop. “Every shop is stacked and was surfing really well in and out of the competition. We were really nervous during the final, competing against all the teams but especially HSS’ Brett Simpson and Brad Ettinger. We’re stoked to take the win back home to Jacksonville”
Results:
1st: Sunrise Surf Shop – 38.18
2nd: Huntington Surf & Sport – 37.10
3rd: Sweetwater Surf Shop – 17.9
4th: T&C Surf – 16.77
For all of the latest information including photos, video footage, results and more, check out surfshopchallenge.com.
Special thanks to Oakley, SURFER and event partners, FCS, Leus and Aluminati Skateboards for their support, without which the Surf Shop Challenge series would not be possible.
About Surf Shop Challenge
Originally conceived to provide a fun and competitive format for the hardcore surf shop riders, the SURFER Shop Team Challenge was one of the most popular and exciting Southern California contests of the early 1980s. Through the years the contest has evolved, with seven qualifying regional events around the country, culminating in a national championship in Bali, Indonesia for the first time in 2012. The underlying principles, however, have remained the same. The Oakley Surf Shop Challenge is still about giving back to the shops, the true backbone of the industry and the heart of the sport of surfing. Each year the competition level rises, the stakes become greater and the prizes become bigger.
About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading product design and sport performance brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is a culture of creators, inventors, idealists and scientists obsessed with using design and innovation to create products and experiences that inspire greatness. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with products that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is known for its High Definition Optics®, which feature unparalleled optical clarity and precision along with impact resistance and UV protection, incorporated into all of the brand’s sun, prescription eyewear and premium goggles. Oakley extended its position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel and accessories. Oakley has men’s and women’s product lines that appeal to Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group. Additional information is available at oakley.com.
About SURFER
In 1960, SURFER began as the original surf magazine. With a long history of delivering provocative and insightful editorial features, revealing interviews and award-winning, state-of-the-art photography, SURFER remains the authoritative voice of the surfing world and thus earned the moniker “the bible of the sport.” Through its website, social media channels, magazine, and television programming, SURFER continues to be the most current and reliable source of information to the surf community, reaching more than 22-million active sports enthusiasts. SURFER is published by TEN: The Enthusiast Network. To learn more, visit surfermag.com
About TEN: The Enthusiast Network
TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as SURFER, TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING, GRINDTV, SOUND & VISION, and SHUTTERBUG. With the world’s largest action/adventure sports media platform, 38 publications, 30 annual events, and more than 20 iconic brands representing the best of action/outdoor and home technology, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit enthusiastnetwork.com.
