Yesterday the NSSA Southwest Open season began with a AA point rated event
at Huntington street in Huntington Beach, Ca. I walked up at 7:30 am and
was pleasantly surprised to see head high to a little overhead peaks with
clean shape. Atwater’s 9-year-old Team rider Tyler Gunter was super psyched
to start his season off with a win. In his first heat he had most of the
competitors combed meaning they needed a combination of two wave scores to
beat him. At that point in the contest he had the highest heat scores of
the day with an 8.5 and a 6.5 out of 10. He ended up winning his first heat
which put him straight into the final. The final heat ended up being at 5:20
in the afternoon and was the last heat of the day. The conditions were
worse than earlier with a negative low tied and an afternoon breeze. Tyler
opened up with a few low scoring waves but ended up taking the lead right away.
He ended up dropping a 5.5 and then a 4.5 score. With a heat total of 10
points, which was enough to hold off his fellow competitors. We cheered him on
as the last seconds ran off the clock and he walked up the beach with a big
smile on his face. I swear the trophy was almost bigger than he is as you
can see in the picture. Tyler is super focused and has been surfing really
good lately so keep an eye out for Tyler Gunter from Newport Beach
California. Atwater is so proud of him and can’t wait for the next event!

Spides

The tents set up for the start of the NSSA

Proud pappa watching Tyler during his early morning heat

Getting prepped for the next heat

Tyler drawing a line in the sand, preparing for battle

The competition

To the victor go the spoils