Rip My Shread Stick, Puerto Rico 07
Words - Otto Flores/Saxon Boucher
Photos – Steve Fitzpatrick
Puerto Rico was the host of the first stop of the 2007 Rip My Shread Stick Summer tour. This year the venue was Aviones Beach. In the past we have held the event at Jobos beach in the town of Isabella on the north west side of the island. But this time we decided to bring it to town and the turn out was great. The waves where epic 2-3 foot A-frame peaks that resembled Lower Trestles with a bit more bend that packed a punch. The kids where stoked as the more experienced young surfers where taking advantage of the outside peak and the mini groms where on the inside rollers with long rides all the way to the sand. This contest is different as every single competitor is a winner collecting there goodie bag as they check in. As the day went on, scores where coming solid, 7.8 rides where posted and the kids where stoked on the new criteria that allowed them to have two chances to get there best scores as every single kid surfed twice. At the end of the second round the twelve best averages would make two six man semi finals.
In the semis the action started as the kids strategically picked there favorite bord from the quiver donated buy the Hurley pros. Great surfing assembled the final from Brian Laid, Mauricio Diaz, Victor Luke, and Christian Rivera, Eric Torres y Hector Santamaría. The competition was tight but in the end Hurley Team rider Hector Santamaría now three time champ of the RMSS Puerto Rico and winner of a bran new Nirvana Surfboard posted two seven point scores that left Eric Torres behind after a great performance through out the event. Hurley had some great support from the co sponsors that included: Surfline, Surfing Magazine, Nixon, Nike 6.0 and Red Bull they donated great prizes for the finalist. To put a different twist to the day Nike 6.0 put up a great sideshow, where the kids that found the hidden Nike 6.0 Mutants on the beach got cool free shoes. And a special award was given to the kid with the overall best attitude.
After the event we had all the kids and their parents at the Burger Joint for great burgers and a slide show Presented buy Steve Fitzpatrick of the days action as well as a video of all the ripping that went down. All in all it was a great day at the beach for everyone. And an amazing start to what looks to be the best Rip My Shred Stick tour yet. A huge Thanks to The Puerto Rico Surfing Federation, Jorge Gonzales, the Judges and everyone that helped out and participated. Next stop is Pismo beach on the 29th of June, see you there don’t miss it we will be coming to a town near you!
