BELMAR, New Jersey/USA (Saturday, September 14, 2013) – Sam Orozco (Dana Point, CA) has taken out his maiden ASP Pro Junior victory, winning the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 1-Star Fins Pro Junior in offshore one-to-three foot waves in Belmar, New Jersey.
Orozco saved his best surfing for last, launching an impressive aerial game in the final despite the deteriorating conditions. The Californian would secure both the day’s high single wave score of 7.83 as well as the high heat total of 15.60 to take the Fins Pro Junior win.
“I’ve never even made a final, so I’m stoked,” Orozco said. “This is the best result I’ve ever had in a contest” The waves were pretty fun and it worked out. If you get the right corner you can get a few good turns in on it. I was looking for those rights and trying to sit away from everyone. I knew if I landed an air or two I could win.”
Noah Schweizer (New Smyrna Beach, FL) put in a strong effort in Belmar New Jersey, finishing runner-up to Orozco, marking a career-best result on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series. Schweizer was in contention for a come-from-behind win when he launched a committed frontside air, but was unable to stick the move and would finish in second.
“This is by far my best result here in Belmar, I usually lose in the quarters, so I’m psyched to get second,” Schweizer said. “There was a little left to jetty and then the right was going back and forth and I was trying to figure it out from there. I had one good right and launched the air, but the backwash hit and I launched out further than I thought I would. My board flipped around and I got a pretty good cut on my leg. Lucky I was wearing a wetsuit.”
Michael Ciaramella (Stone Harbor, NJ) continued his campaign as the local standout, advancing to his first career ASP Pro Junior final. The East Coast talent started off strong in the final, posting a 7-point ride, but was unable to find the backup score needed to surpass Orozco for the win.
“The final started off alright. I started with a 6 and Sam got a 7,” Ciaramella said. “I thought it was going to be a high scoring final, but Sam ended up getting those two high 7s and smoked everyone. I was waiting for another wave and it never came. I’m happy with how I did though, it’s my best result ever.”
Parker Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA), past Fins Pro Junior winner, would finish fourth overall.
FINS PRO JUNIOR FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Sam Orozco (USA) 15.60 2 – Noah Schweizer (USA) 11.63 3 – Michael Ciaramella (USA) 10.66 4 – Parker Coffin (USA) 9.00
