Conley Makes Waves to Win Championship

With waves breaking from six to eight feet, and some sets hitting 10 feet, surfers of all ages gathered on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier Sunday for the final round of the National Scholastic Surfing Assn.’s Western Championships.

Brian Conley of Carlsbad proved to be the best surfer in the men’s open championship, pulling off some stunning maneuvers in the 20-minute, six-man heat.

Taking right and left takeoffs, Conley’s performance was particularly noteworthy when he went left toward the pier, shooting it once during his final heat.

“Conditions were pretty good today, and I’m glad I have the chance to surf next month,” said Conley, who was competing in his first men’s open. “It was no big deal, shooting the pier. It looks good from the shore.”

Sunday’s competition was the qualifying round for the next month’s national championship at Lower Trestles.

Malibu’s Anthony Petruso, who was the defending champion, finished second, and Micah Byrne of Huntington Beach was third.

Lizz Kampen of Huntington Beach won the women’s open, just beating defending champion Holly Beck of Palos Verdes.

“I doubt if my local knowledge helped me against Holly, but I was able to get some good waves,” Kampen said. “This is my first title, so I’m excited.”

Dane Johnson of Carlsbad won the open juniors (13-15 years old) and Killian Garland of Santa Barbara won the open boys’ (12 and younger).

While most of the surfers were grateful for the conditions, some admitted that the eight-foot sets were intimidating.

Like for 10-year-old Tanner Gudauskas of San Clemente, who was competing in the mini-groms division (10 and younger).

For Gudauskas, and the other five surfers in his heat, the eight-foot face resembled treacherous swells at Mavericks in Half Moon Bay rather than the south side pier break at Huntington Beach.

Gudauskas’ dad, Tom, nervously watched his son compete.

“During the semifinals this morning, it got so big that it was pushing the surfers toward the pier,” Tom Gudauskas said. “There were moments there when I was ready to jump off the pier to save them.”

As the surf grew larger, a lifeguard was sent out on a Jet Ski to watch over the younger competitors.

For Gudauskas, he was not only able to weather the conditions, but advanced to the final heat, where he won the open mini-groms title.

“We all surf, my wife, Tanner’s older twin brothers. It’s a way of life,” Tom Gudauskas said. “It’s the sport we do. It’s a way of life.”