Day 5 – Standouts Reemerge in Repechage at ISA World Juniors

Ryan Huckabee (USA) launches full rotation for a 9.77 

Estela López (CHI) opens with a 9.23 for huge two-turn combo

Finland sends first junior representatives

A full day of Repechage heats did not lessen the action as standouts reemerged from early losses in El Salvador. The ISA’s unique format that gives every surfer a second chance showed its value on Day 5.

El Sunzal provided for Cannon Carr (USA) and Siqi Yang (CHN) who found the highest heat totals of the U-16 divisions, 16.17 and 13.90 respectively. Incredible flow saw Carr collect a 9.17 for the highest single wave score of Boys U-16, while Malia Lima (HAW) was rewarded an 8.00 for a more aggressive approach, the highest single wave score of Girls U-16 today.

Despite wearing an ankle brace from an old injury, Ryan Huckabee (USA) was the first surfer of the event to truly take flight. The Floridian landed a huge full rotation on La Bocana’s right for the day’s high score of a 9.77 in the Boys U-18 division.

“The section couldn’t have been any better. I almost fell when I came down. My rail kind of dug and I was like, ‘Oh no, I’m not going to fall,’ and kind of just hung onto the whitewater and was able to ride out of it,” Huckabee said. “My brace is there as extra support. I’m at one hundred percent.”

A two-turn combo saw Estela López (CHI) break into the 9-point range, her 9.23 the highest single wave score of the Girls divisions today.

“I’m really happy to be in El Salvador, it’s one of my favorite places in the world,” López said. “I’m enjoying the weather and all of the waves. My team is really supportive of me. And I’m just really having fun.”

Redeeming a surprise loss in Main Event Round 2, Sanoa Olin (CAN) managed to find a 9.00 and an 8.97 for the highest heat total of both Girls divisions today (17.97).

“I had a bit of a shocker in my heat at El Sunzal,” she said. “I was definitely out of rhythm, so it feels really good to get those two scores and feel like myself again.”

Finland is one of four new teams at this year’s championship. Finding a 9.33 and the highest heat total of the day for Boys U-18 (16.83), Eeli Timperi (FIN) is enjoying his time at the ISA World Juniors.

“I’m stoked to represent Finland and be here. I got this little insider double-up and got two nice turns. Super-stoked on it,” Timperi said.

Learning to surf when she was just 3-years-old, Venezuelan Valeria Benitez is proud to be a member of her national team.

“I love El Salvador, we have been so well received! It’s my first time here and my first time in the ISA World Juniors. I feel very proud of myself because I made it this far. I hope to continue working hard and making more rounds.”

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“Giving every surfer a second chance is one of the hallmarks of ISA competition and today’s amazing performances showed how valuable the system is. These surfers would otherwise have been knocked out and yet they have given us some of the highlights of the competition so far.”

“The coming days will be very dramatic as we see the world’s best juniors push themselves to reach the podium.”

The 2022 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championship will be broadcast live until June 5 on isasurf.org.

The event schedule is as follows:

June 2 – June 5 – Competition at La Bocana and El Sunzal

June 5 – Closing Ceremony at El Sunzal following the close of competition