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Waiting Game: Conditions degrade at the 2009 NSSA Nationals as things start to get serious

Conner Coffin didn’t surf before his heat. Didn’t engage in a superstitious pre-heat ritual. Didn’t even employ an elaborate competitive strategy. He just figured, “I’ll try to catch a set wave.” But why bother with that if you surf as good as he does? In his last Open Men’s Round 1 heat of the day, he simply paddled out and reengaged the crowd’s waning attention. A gargantuan snap and a water displacing tail-slide got the blood flowing again. But his dominance shown through more than anything. And some strategy. A set came in, after all, and he caught it. He bruised the wave with every inch of his rail, and was awarded a nine. Clearly, if he maintains such form, expect him to be clawing at the 2009 Open Men’s crown.

This wasn’t ideal Lowers. It wasn’t the Lowers people mind-surf in traffic jams or ditch work to paddle out in. It was onshore, small and plagued by numbing lulls. But it was Lowers with four guys out and these young surfers took full advantage. Before the wind got too bad earlier in the morning, San Clemente local Ian Crane set the day’s pace in his Open Juniors Round 2 heat. Tail blows. Off-the-lips. Critical reverses on end sections. He blazed on with two sevens.

read more at surfing mag