Houshmand Wins Big in South Africa

With back-to-back wins on the WSL Challenger Series, Cole Houshmand is on top of the world and rankings

BY JAKE HOWARD

Make goals, dedicate yourself, work your tail off, and good things often happen.

Such is the case with San Clemente’s Cole Houshmand, who’s been on an absolute rampage on the WSL’s Challenger Series as of late. Winning the Ballito Pro in South Africa, Houshmand has now won the past two Challenger Series events and sits alone atop the rankings.

“I’m speechless right now; that was the scariest heat I’ve had this whole event,” Houshmand said after defeating Portuguese journeyman Frederico Morais in a nail-biter final.

With limited opportunities to decide the event winner, Houshmand played the waiting game to perfection. With Morais in control throughout the heat, the rising San Clemente star found a wave in the dying seconds to get the score he needed and come away with his second win in as many events.

“Luckily, that wave came, but congrats to Frederico; he was ripping the whole event,” continued Houshmand. “It’s been amazing. Shout-out to everyone back home, Kolohe Andino and the ‘2% Boys,’ Kade Matson, who’s been ripping; it’s been a real support crew.”

In a town brimming with surf talent, Houshmand’s leading the charge in his own unique way. With the stature of a linebacker, his explosive brand of power surfing is on another level.

“We put him on ‘our program’ and

Grom Of The Week

over time, that shy, awkward kid hit a massive growth spurt, well beyond what’s considered optimum surfing physique,” shared surfboard shaper Matt “Mayhem” Biolos on Instagram.

“With relentless hard work (in and out of the water), he’s sculpted and manicured what would seem a burden into a bona fide blessing, building himself into a Frankenstein-sized surf monster, terrorizing measly human-sized, wouldbe surf stars, with not just sheer brute, but ample precision and dexterity,” Biolos continued.

“I’m not saying this kid’s the best surfer on Earth. Not by any means … not yet, at least, but I honestly don’t think the judges have ever seen anything quite like him.”

For his part in the event, fellow Lowers regular Kade Matson ripped his way into the semifinals to come away with a very respectable third-place finish. Moving up nine spots in the rankings, he’s now well-positioned at fifth.

In a full team effort, the veteran

Marlo Leigh Harris

BY JAKE HOWARD

Big congratulations to Dana Point shredder Marlo Leigh Harris, who just won her second consecutive Under 14 national title at the NSSA National Championships in Huntington Beach. Surfing up a few divisions, she also finished fourth in the Open Women’s final.

Driven, inspired and dedicated to being the best surfer she can be, Marlo’s been putting in the hard work all year long to accomplish her goal—and nothing was going to stop her, not even competing with 13 stitches in her foot.

It all started in 2017 when Marlo won the Grom-O-Rama contest in LA’s South Bay. Moved by the experience, she’s a two-time national champ, member of USA Surfing’s development program and a valuable member of the Shorecliffs Middle School surf team just six short years later.

Accomplishments in the water aside, Marlo’s also an amazing role model for her friends and those with whom she competes. Celebrating her Mescalero Apache heritage, her connection to the ocean and natural world runs deep.

With summer only half over, we have to wonder, what’s next for Marlo? SC

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@ gmail.com.

Andino has played an instrumental role in motivating the boys and getting them focused and fired up.

“What a blessing it is to watch these guys surf and compete so strong,” Andino shared on Instagram after the Ballito contest wrapped. “Even better than that, they are great role models for the next generation of American surfing. Never thought of surfing being a team sport, but it’s pretty rad to root your fellow countrymen and women on. So proud of them!”

Other San Clemente surfers to keep an eye on are Jett Schilling, who’s ranked 10th, and Crosby Colapinto, who’s ranked 13th. At the end of the season, the top 10 surfers will graduate to the prestigious WSL Championship Tour and have a shot at the world title.

Up next, the Challenger Series comes to Huntington Beach for the U.S. Open of Surfing from July 29 to Aug. 6. After that, there are events in Portugal and Brazil in October.

If everything works out, there’s a very real possibility San Clemente could see four men on the Championship Tour in 2024.

Not only that, Sawyer Lindblad and Bella Kenworthy are both knocking on the door of qualification for the women, and a little further down the ratings sits Kirra Pinkerton. Lindblad is ranked seventh, Kenworthy is ninth, and Pinkerton is 23rd. The top five women at season’s end make the Championship Tour.

Three events to go. Will we see history made with more local surfers qualifying for the Championship Tour than ever before? Hopefully.

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for several publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

Surf Forecast

Water Temperature: 66-67 Degrees

Water Visibility: 8-10’

Thursday: Slow rising new S swell inches up, as small NW/SW swell mix lingers on. Good spots have thigh to stomach high waves, (2-3’+), while best breaks are waist to shoulder high, (3-4’+). Winds are light/ variable most of the morning, light+ onshore over the afternoon, then easing by the evening.

Outlook: Peaking S swell puts more spots in waist to chest high range surf, (3-4’), on Friday. Similar size waves for the weekend, as a little SSE tropical swell joins in. S to SW winds stay on the light side Friday through Sunday, with the mornings having the cleanest conditions.