Kaimana Jaquias won the 2010 NSSA Nationals Open Men’s title today at South Huntington Beach Pier while Lakey Peterson snatched her second consecutive Open Women’s title. Also taking out a big victory was Keala Naihe, who clinched the Open Junior’s NSSA National division.
Jaquias launched out to an early lead in the 30 minute final matchup with a solid 8.25 out of 10, but struggled to find a second backup score until the last few minutes of the heat. The Hawaiian regular-footer locked into a wedgy righthander breaking off of South Huntington Beach Pier by cracking several forehand turns to overtake then heat leader Conner Coffin to win the 2010 Open Men’s National Title.
“I’m on top of the moon right now,” Jaquias said. “I got that 8.25 at the beginning and I was just hoping I could get another one. Conner (Coffin) got that second 5.00 and I was just praying to God that I could get another wave to take over the lead.”
Jaquias’ prestigious victory also puts his name on the list of NSSA champions including his father Kaipo Jaquias, who was the 1987 Open Junior Champion.
“I’m just so happy to have my name up there with my father,” Jaquias said. “I wanted to have my name up there with his.”
2010 NSSA National Champions:
Open Men’s Champion: Kaimana Jaquias
Open Women’s Champion: Lakey Peterson
Open Junior Champion: Keala Naihe
Open Boy’s Champion: Kanoa Igarashi
Open Longboard Champion: Shaun Thompson
Open Mini Grom Champion: John Mel
Explorer Men’s Champion: Ezekiel Lau
Explorer Women’s Champion: Leila Hurst
Explorer Junior’s Champion: Parker Coffin
Explorer Boy’s Champion: Taylor Clark
HS Varsity Men’s Champion: Ezekiel Lau
HS Varsity Women ‘s Champion: Kaleigh Gilchrist
HS Varsity Longboard Champion: Jeff Newell
HS JV Men’s Champion: Jonah Carter
HS JV Women’s Champion: Lani Doherty
HS JV Longboard Champion: Eli Gillis
NSSA Air Show Champion: Sam Orosco