The Laguna Beach High School Surf Team pulled off a come-from-behind victory over San Clemente, Dana Hills and Newport Harbor at Salt Creek last Saturday, Sept. 16.
In the junior team event sponsored by Billabong, South Coast League High Schools were invited to compete in a tag team format that included three boys and a girl from each school surfing in an hour-long hear.
Joseph Schenk followed by Kelly Smith, a recent transfer student, got things started, allowing plenty of time for anchors Travis Booth and Jake Levine to look for the right wave for a high score.
Jake’s first two attempts weren’t what he was looking for so he had to dig deep on his final ride. He hit several nice turns and cutbacks and the judges ate it up, throwing him a 7.53, which was doubled.
Laguna was the surprise winner, edging out San Clemente by .29. LBHS was awarded $500 for the team, stuffed backpacks full of prizes and a surfboard trophy, handed out by Brazilian WCT surfer Italo Ferreira.
LBHS. 24.93; San Clemente, 24.64; Dana Hills, 19.87; and Newport Harbor, 10.11.
Next up, a non-league meet against Aliso Niguel High School at Salt Creek on Friday, Sept. 22.
From Coaches Scott Finn and Alisa Cairns.
