Surfing Laguna: Locals mix it up with the pros

More than $25,000 in cash and prizes await the pros, groms, juniors and other family division competitors Saturday in Huntington Beach.

Laguna groms Adam Mejia, Zach Williams, Tyler Cassil, Bud Kuhn and others plan to compete alongside some of the world’s best surfers. The juniors are ready to mix it up with the pros for the $5,000 first-place prize.

“Surfing against some of the top pros like Timmy Reyes and Chris Waring is intimidating but also really exciting,” said Team USA member Trevor Thornton, 15. “These heats are a great way to get more experience against some of the best guys around.”

Event No. 1 featured Waring, Jesse Merle-Jones, Reyes and Micah Byrne in an action-packed Pro final that Waring won.

“To be able to surf a one-day local event and walk away with substantial prize money is great, and it’s definitely brought out some great pro talent. I’m excited about this series,” said Huntington Beach local Micah Byrne, hot off his runner-up finish at the Vans Pier Classic World Qualifying Series event.

The groms and family division folks are invited to come out and enjoy surfing with the pros and a chance at thousands of dollars in prizes. Stop 2 will take place Saturday at Brookhurst Street in Huntington Beach. On April 11, Mission Beach will host Stop 3.

CHRIS WILLIAMS is a surfing coach and Laguna Beach resident, and father of four surf-crazy sons. He can be reached at chris@soulsurfingschool.com or (949) 497-5918.