Tudor takes eighth title on longboard

Joel Tudor maneuvered his way through substantial surf Saturday to

win the $10,000 U.S. Open of Longboarding title.

Tudor and success have become synonymous in the event, which he

won for an unprecedented eighth time. He has entered the U.S. Open of

Longboarding 11 times.

The Del Mar resident overcame an early lead by Colin McPhillips to

win Saturday’s final at the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier.

Tudor showed his mastery of his craft with such moves as “walking

the nose,” “helicopters,” and “hanging 10.” He also hit the top wave

score of 9.17 during the final, which turned out to be the

highest-scoring wave of the entire longboarding competition.

Tudor, who took home $2,500 for his win, won each of the five

heats he entered, including one semifinal heat that included

Americans Josh Baxter, Taylor Jensen and Kai Sallas.

McPhillips won the second semifinal heat, which included Matthew

Moir of South Africa, who finished second; third-place Harley Ingleby

of Australia and fourth-place Ned Snow of Hawaii.

In addition to Tudor and McPhillips, the two other finalists were

Jensen and Moir

U.S. Open of Longboarding

List of Champions

U.S. Open of Longboarding

2005: Joel Tudor (Del Mar)

2004: Brendan White (San Clemente)

2003: Trevor Jensen (Imperial Beach)

2002: Joel Tudor (Del Mar)

2001: Josh Baxter (San Clemente)

2000: Joel Tudor (Cardiff)

1999: Joel Tudor (Cardiff)

1998: Joel Tudor (Cardiff)

1997: Joel Tudor (Cardiff)

1996: Joel Tudor (Cardiff)

1995: Joel Tudor (Cardiff)

1994: Colin McPhillips (Capistrano Beach)