Camps churn out new U.S. surf team

A spot on a prestigious national junior surf team and a trip to France was on the line at the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier during a five-day stretch for several local athletes, each attempting to qualify for upcoming international competition.

The last of four national training camps staged by Surfing America ended last Friday (April 4) at the pier and served as a grueling competition for junior athletes vying for a starting spot or alternate position on the 2008 USA Surf Team travel squad.

When the weeklong competition concluded with its final heat Friday, Surfing America, the national governing body for surfing in the USA, had its team.

“It was a great camp, and there were some great performances,” Team Manager Mike Cianciulli said. “Basically, the camp competition was held to select that fourth person who would earn a starting spot on each of the three teams, and alternate spots were up for grabs, as well.”

Cianciulli said between 20-25 junior surfers showed up for open training sessions during the camp, which began March 31. They competed in three team divisions: Under-18 boys, Under-16 boys and Under-18 girls.

With three of the four starting spots on the Under-18 boys team already secured by Nat Young, Dillon Perillo and Dane Zaun, Chase Wilson of Newport Beach pulled out wins in the closing seconds of several heats to earn the fourth starting spot. He edged out Quinn McCrystal of Huntington Beach who took the first alternate spot. Chase Brady of San Clemente is second alternate on the team.

“In every 20-minute heat, Chase [Wilson] seemed to pull out a last-second victory, which allowed him to earn that fourth starting spot,” Cianciulli said.

On the Under-16 boys team starting roster, Andrew Doheny, Conner Coffin and Kolohe Andino had locked up spots and the fourth position went to Luke Davis of Capistrano Beach. Nathan Carvalho of Kauai, Hawaii, is the first alternate and Taylor Thorne of Newport Beach is second alternate.

Courtney Conlogue of Santa Ana, who won the women’s division at the Van’s Pier Classic at the south side of the pier the day before the camp opened on March 31, already had nailed down a starting spot on the Under-18 girls team. Sage Erickson and Amy Nicholl also had locked in berths, and the fourth spot was won by Santa Barbara’s Demi Boelsterli. The first alternate is Kaleigh Gilchrist of Newport Beach, second alternate is Sara Taylor of Huntington Beach, and third alternate is Keenan Lineback of South Carolina.

The four starters and first alternate on each team will have expenses paid when the teams travel to France to compete at the 2008 International Surfing Assn. Junior Surfing Championships. The event will run May 24-June 1 in Hossegor, France.

Cianciulli said the other remaining alternates can pay their way to accompany the team to France.

“I believe that this is an excellent team to represent the United States in international competition,” USA Surf Team Coach Joey Braun said in a statement. “All of these team members are outstanding surfers but more importantly, have proven themselves to be hard workers and team players. Not only do they rip, they carry themselves with character, class and dignity in representing our great country.

“I’m proud of every one of them, and I look forward to leading them in the ISA World Junior games.”