San Clemente’s Sawyer Lindblad has earned back-to-back titles in the Jack’s Surfboards Pro; she was hoisted up on the sand in Huntington Beach on Sunday, April 9, following her repeat win.
Surfers from the south Orange County beach town dominated in the contest, with three of the four finalists hailing from San Clemente. But in the men’s final, Santa Cruz’ John Mel overtook local surfer Cole Houshmand in the dying minutes of the event to nab the win.
The contest, which drew more than 100 surfers from around the world, was upgraded this year to a Qualifying Series 3,000, up from 1,000. The increase means up-and-coming surfers earned higher points toward their goals of competing at bigger Challenger Series contests, such as the U.S. Open of Surfing, which is the route to earn a spot among the world’s best on the prestigious World Tour.
Lindblad’s win came following a heat against fellow San Clemente surfer Bella Kenworthy, where the winner posted a near-perfect 9.50, out of a possible 10. Lindblad’s total best two wave scores of 15.50 was enough to take top spot against Kenworthy’s total 10-point score.
Earlier in the contest, Lindblad was feeling confident, saying she was going to try to not overthink winning and “enjoy my time close to home.”
She was just back from Barbados, where she took runner up. But she shook that second-place finish off and said she wanted to focus on taking the top spot at the Jack’s Surfboards Pro.
“I’m just really excited for this year,” she said in an interview with World Surf League. “I feel like being No. 1 gives you more confidence and I’m really excited for this new season.”
Last year, she earned enough points to be dubbed the North American regional Qualifying Series champion, earning her spot on the Challenger Series, which kicks off on May 6 at Snapper Rocks in Australia.
Houshman will also be competing on the Challenger Series.
For the men’s winner, Mel, who spent his younger years in…
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