Ian Crane
Ian Crane is such a sure-footed surfer that it is a pleasure to watch. He applies his rail through his turns and has a proper application of speed and torque. He is a threat in any heat against all the top dogs in his category.
He has really made the grade these last few years and has been taking down titles that include NSSA 2008 Airshow Champion, Grom Search Champion, ISA Middle School Champ, 2nd at the VQS Championship, and is also member of the Pacsun USA Surf Team. He is constantly in the finals in the NSSA and is now taking his talent into the Pro Junior ranks and will be a force to be reckoned with.
His surfing is based on power but he has the flare and progressive tricks that make him that much more lethal. Ian also lives in San Clemente, a notorious hot bed of talent and his running mates are always raising the bar. He is training hard with the USA Surf team and will be looking forward to surfing all the events this summer and will head out to the North Shore this winter to gain more experience where the water gets heavy.
Aside from his competitive commitments he will be destroying Lowers this summer and looking for any sick pit to pull into.
Colton Ward Wins NSSA Event In Pumping Surf!
Event number 8 in the NSSA Open Season schedule went off this weekend in Ventura with some of the biggest California Street the event has had in its long history. Solid 6-8' foot surf pumped its way through the point this weekend offering the competitors epic surf to test their skills in.
San Clemente's Colton Ward won his first ever NSSA Open Season Boys final in the double overhead surf. It was a great accomplishment for the 12 year old goofy foot, considering he has been chipping away making several finals this year and now has finally captured the 1st place prize. What makes the win that much sweeter is it was in large challenging surf and didn't come down to groveling in small meager surf. He accomplished his goal by seizing the best waves of the final and laying down big carves on his backhand. Coming in the runner up position was Capo Beach's Jake Davis who was hot on Colton's heels to the very end, but narrowly lost in a few very tense moments to close out the final. With thirty seconds remaining and Colton in the lead Jake managed to grab a buzzer beater, but in the end it wasn't enough and big cheers where in hand for Colton's maiden win.
O'Neill team riders seized three of the top spots in the Boys 6 man final, with Colton Ward in first, Jake Davis in second, and Thelen Mckinna in third.
In the Juniors division we saw Ian Crane back in form after missing the first 7 events due to an injury he sustained last summer. He made quick work of the long beautiful walls displaying his powerful backside carves on many set waves. He reached the semi finals, which is a solid effort to make his way back into competition.
Other O'Neill highlights were Newbury Park's Jake Kelley,San Clemente's Josh Giddings and Shaw Kobayashi catching some amazing rides in the perfect surf.
The next NSSA event will be held at Salt Creek February 6-7.