U.S. Board Riders…assemble. The teams are finalized for the USBRC National Championships presented by A New Earth Project. Former Championship Tour stars, iconic legends, and the next generation of names to know are all accounted for and ready to clash for America’s title of best Board Riders Club. Plus, viewers get to watch it all go down LIVE across the globe courtesy of FUEL TV in what could be dreamy Lowers with swell and wind holding favorable.
Brent Flaaten
A Field Format Refresher
It all begins Thursday, May 16th, with the second-place clubs and the “High Third Wildcard”–the team that accrued the highest points without finishing second–to see who joins the regional winners for a chance at the Wheat Cup. The clash for the Wheat Cup, in honor of Huntington Beach’s own and Board Riders movement leader Casey Wheaton, goes down Friday, May 17th to determine the Top 3 clubs who move into the grand finale.
Then, it’s a one-day showdown to see who etches their name into U.S. Board Riders history with the USBRC National Championships presented by A New Earth Project on Saturday, May 18th. The best in the West will take on the beasts from the East Coast and, for the first time, Hawaii’s top club, to see who can claim the title of top Board Riders Club in the States.
Brent Flaaten
Heavy Hitters Present and Accounted For At Lowers
The reigning, back-to-back, USBRC National Championships victors of San Clemente Board Riders are back to defend their crown once more for a three-peat. Led by the likes of former Championship Tour elite, a hefty task remains. But, a hungry field is waiting in arms and will not bow down easily.
From legendary icons of Peter Mel (Santa Cruz), Rob Machado (Encinitas), and Matt Archibald (San Clemente), the 50s division is never one to overlook at the USBRC competitions. It provides a glimpse into the glory days from which they still represent in ripping form and help lead their teams of emerging talents.
Those emerging talents include Cole McCaffray and Titus Santucci (Encinitas), Luke Guinaldo and Zoey Kaina (Huntington Beach), Ben Brantell (San Clemente) and Adam Bartlett (Santa Cruz) who look to prove themselves among the cemented legends.
The women can be a key factor in swaying the tide of competition and the teams have their leading ladies ready to perform. Recent ISA World Junior Games Bronze Medalist Sara Freyre (Huntington Beach) joins the likes of proven threats Autumn Hays (Santa Cruz), Rosy Hodge (San Clemente), Ella McCaffray (Encinitas) and more.
Brent Flaaten
Between the 30s and 40s divisions there’s more than enough firepower with Brett Simpson and Timmy Reyes (Huntington Beach), Matt Myers, Bud Freitas and Shaun Burns (Santa Cruz), Zach Keenan (Encinitas), plus former CT competitors Kolohe Andino, Pat and Tanner Gudauskas, and Chris Ward (San Clemente) ready to put on a show.
But it all boils down to the 20s division in the grand finale, which just may ultimately determine who advances to the 2024 USBRC Championships. The likes of John Mel (Santa Cruz), Nick Marshall (Encinitas), Jett Schilling (San Clemente), Jake Saenz (Huntington Beach), and more will try to bring their teams across the finish line.
East Coast, Hawaii’s North Shore Powerhouses Ready and Waiting
All roads lead to the final showdown featuring the East Coast and Hawaii contenders ready to stake their claim in USBRC folklore with Team Jacksonville Beach holding the only seed into the Finals.
Legends in their own right, Love Hodel (North Shore), Randy Nolan (Space Coast), Pat McManus (Outer Banks), Chad Gallagher (Cape May) and more await to duke it out in the 50s division before passing the torch to the younger guard.
Similar to the West Coast’s brand of powerhouses in the 40s and 30s divisions, a plethora of esteemed competitors have their eyes set on big performances including Brett Barley (Outer Banks), Rob Kelly (Cape May), Chris Foster and Joel Centeio (North Shore).
The women of the East Coast and North Shore are not to be taken lightly when featuring names such as Zoe McDougall (North Shore), Daya McCart (Space Coast), the Gallagher Sisters (Cape May), and Leanne Jones (Outer Banks).
Brent Flaaten
But, the highly-contested 20s division brings out all the magic and an abundance of it is on hand. Shayden Pacarro (North Shore), Chauncey Robinson (Space Coast), Quentin Turko (Outer Banks), and Jimmy Neplacic (Cape May) leading the charge.
All roads lead to Team Jacksonville Beach which features the likes of emerging talent Lanea Mons joining proven performers Tristan Thompson, Karina Petroni, Wayne Satterwhite, Austin Clouse, Jason Motes, and more.
Who’s your pick when the boards hit the water? Watch it all live on May 18th courtesy of FUEL TV to see who waves their flag all the way to the top and claims the ultimate bragging rights of best Board Riders Club in the States.
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These Top 3 clubs will square off with Team North Shore, Team Cape May, Team Outer Banks, Team Space Coast, and Team Jacksonville Beach for the title.
NORTH
1st-Santa Cruz
2nd-Central Coast
NORTH CENTRAL
1st-Huntington Beach
2nd-South Bay
SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-San Clemente
2nd-Newport
SOUTH
1st-Encinitas
2nd-Carlsbad
HIGH THIRD WILDCARD
Dana Point