Surfing Soapbox: Surfer dominates event, beats out favorites

Everyone loves a good Cinderella story, and Joel Centeio winning the six-star Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, Oahu, in front of family and friends, was one for the ages.

Surfing his way from the beginning in round one, winning all seven heats including the finals, Centieio dominated this event, even besting that of world title contender Joel Parkinson and that of world No. 5 C.J. Hobgood, who placed runner-up to Centeio in the finals.

Rounding out the finals of the Reef Hawaiian pro were Australian Jay Thompson and Tahiti’s Alain Rio.

By making the finals of this event, Thompson all but assured himself on next year’s premier stage of the world surfing tour. As did Californian Nathan Yeomans of nearby San Clemente.

After traveling the world qualifying tour for years trying to qualify for surfing’s biggest stage, Yeomans is over the moon, I’m sure. You’ve got to love a kid with that kind of heart who never gives up and finally succeeds in making his dream come true.

Good for you, Nathan.

Other Orange County surfers looking good to qualify for next year’s world tour include: Pat Gudauskas also of San Clemente, ranked No. 2 on the WQS (World Qualifying tour); Huntington beach’s Brett Simpson, No. 9; and Tanner Gudauskas in the No. 16 slot.

With one event down, the Vans Triple Crown will now move to the epic wave of Sunset Beach, where Hobgood will be defending his crown and poised to make a run at this year’s Triple Crown. Especially considering his runner-up finish in this year’s first event of the Triple Crown and his own prowess and the most famous of them all, the Banzai, Pipeline, he’s my pick to win this year’s Triple Crown of surfing.

Until next time stay healthy, keep surfing.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarriorSurf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com