South Carolina’s Cam Richards and Hawaii’s Mahina Maeda have won the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 2-Star Ron Jon Vans Junior Pro at Shepard Park in windy one-to-two foot surf.
The Ron Jon Vans Junior Pro represents the third stop on the 2014 ASP North America Pro Junior Series, offering crucial points towards qualification for the ASP World Junior Championships.
**Ron Jon Vans Junior Pro Men’s Final: **
Cam Richards took out his first career ASP Pro Junior victory, besting California standout Parker Coffin, Venezuela’s Derek Gomez and Floridian Tristan Thompson. Richards earned the day’s high-scores in the Semifinal of an excellent 16.76 and maintained his form throughout the final, while current regional rankings frontrunner Parker Coffin would take runner up.
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Cam Richards (South Carolina):** “Today was fun. I’m glad we waited for waves. I free surfed this morning and I felt good and my board felt good. I started with a good Semifinal this morning and wanted to keep the momentum going. I’m glad I did.
“This is my first Pro Junior win. I’ve very surprised and I’m really happy. I’m glad to start my year off with a win. They’re not easy to win, so I’m really glad I won this one. It’s my first Junior of the year and I’m hoping to requalify for the World Junior Championships.
“Surfing against all of those kids is a different platform and I’m hoping to get there again. We don’t’ get many chances to surf against a lot of the international competitors and it’s a good opportunity.”
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Parker Coffin (Santa Barbara, CA):** “When the waves are that windy, I think it’s better to catch a bunch of waves. You never know. I’m happy to be leading the Junior Rankings. My goal is to qualify for worlds. I’ve missed it the last few years. I want to try and win the junior series and there’s still a lot more work to do.”
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Ron Jon Vans Junior Pro Women’s Final:**
Mahina Maeda looked lively in the tricky Florida conditions. The Hawaiian would start the day strong with a Semifinal win, carrying her momentum through to a Final victory. Tatiana Weston-Webb was also a standout at the Ron Jon Vans Junior Pro, eliminating defending event champion Chelsea Tuach, but was unable to find the scores needed to surpass Maeda for the win.
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Mahina Maeda (Oahu, HI):** “This is my first time coming to Florida so it was a great experience. I’ve surfed in these conditions and these conditions remind me of Tahara in Japan.
“There was a tough draw in this event. Tati (Weston-Webb) was one of my toughest competitors and Caroline Marks is very knowledgeable in these waves. I got two scores pretty quick and the winds were blowing in the opposite directly than the other days. It was really challenging with how small the waves were. I was sitting more south and drifted towards the pier side and caught my two waves there.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (Kauai, HI): “Florida was a blast for hanging out with all of my friends. To come out here with Mahina (Maeda), we always push each other and have a good time.
“I started towards the south and moved down to where I was sitting in my Semifinal, but Mahina was already ahead of me. All I needed was a five, but I didn’t get it. I’m happy with second though and happy with Mahina.”
