If you’ve been following our reports regularly, then you’ll know that the Oakley Surf Shop Challenge came into to town and today was the big event.
Let’s just start off by saying that today was one of the best days ever for the OSSC!
Here, Ola Elogram taking advantage of our pristine barreling waves.
and usually when you make it out, this is what you do!
Kai Barger was another Hawaiian charger out there giving it a go.
Here’s a pulled back view of todays conditions.
The ever so watchful tower of the judging panel for the OSSC.
The teams are always so stoked to come to Nicaragua to brawl down for their final showdown.
and with conditions like this, how could one complain.
Brad Ettinger bringing his A-Game!
Kinda like Huntington, minus the big old pier.
The camaraderie is alive and well, much not like a WCT contest.
See, these guys play as a team, and they can only paddle out once the other surfer has competed their quota of waves and high five (literally) before the other surfer can paddle out.
Simpo… doing simpo things!
Exactly like this.
Not sure if this surf shop was from So Cal, but the sparrows were definitely making a presence.
Empty A-frames were on tap for only the competitors.
The epitome of pure stoke that was enjoyed by many out there today.
The other side from a different perspective.
If you’re gonna be flying all the way to do a final in another country, you better be doing turns like this.
or bottom turns like this.
I followed the Jim Beam contest back in the states for a while….
and one thing I learned is, other than the tag team concept, this platform looks fun as heck!!
The other thing I noticed was, the waves we have here is usually WAY better!!
Taylor Pai, proving my point well.
There was also some free surfing going on outside of the contest area.
#3 with a sick top turn.
Quentin Turko, from the Outer Banks of North Carolina representing his surf shop well!
Tag, YOU’RE IT!!!
Where else in CA can you do a Tom Curran bottom turn like this in board shorts, any time of the year????
Where else in the world can you do an off the lip like this and have a Toña afterwards???? Exactly!!!
The surfers were on fire!
Some of the best locals came out to show their support as well!!
Bub, maybe one of the most stoked competitors in the whole competition.
I was super stoked to hear they were having a “Locals Only” expression session today.
Elton was one of the local rippers showing the visiting locals hows it’s done here.
If there were a time to show the outside surfing world, our local talent, today was the day.
his wave was insane to see in person.
Trust me, when I say this.
I don’t have it in frame here, but our local hero, Carlos Perez come flying out of the barrel shortly after this sequence shot.
Meanwhile, down at the left hand far bar, the non-competitive surfer were having a blast!
Oscar, making a bold statement for the local opposition.
With this hombre too. The OSSC peeps were going nuts on the beach watching out “local expression” session going down.
Not sure if they were jealous that the locals were having the best heat of the morning, or they were really stoked on the surfing.
I’m gonna go with the latter.
Carlos was going HUGE with moves like his.
and barrels like this.
Oscar was defending the local Espinoza crown with moves like this.
Meanwhile, down at the forbear left, people were defending their own selves against the lips.
The final minutes of the of the local expression session went mental when everyone started to find barrels up and down the contest area.
Like this here.
and here.
This is what it looks like when your hometown wins!
The local expression session crew in all their glory.
Nothing better than getting a hand carved trophy from your best mate… aka nicaragüense.
Ok, maybe a beer shower for all of your hard efforts.
1st place and (IMHPO) the best heat of the day!
Back to the OSSC and their final.
The visiting surfers were for sure inspired by the local talent.
Sunrise surf shop rider going hard in the final.
Some were hugging onto their hopes and some were chugging.
The level was set pretty high for the final.
and the competitors didn’t disappoint.
and the competitors didn’t disappoint.
Especially with turns like this.
Of course, the claims were legit!
As frieze as the competition was….
The free surfing and conditions down the way was just as beautiful to see.
We shall not forget, this a place for all to come and enjoy and surf anytime of the year.
And on that note, maybe Kai Barger will want to make this his second home after tasting our magnificent waves.
Down to the final minutes, the surfing was super intense!!!
Everyone pulling all of their tricks out of their best bag of tricks.
Here’s Brett “Simpo” Simpson, doing exactly what earned him two back to back wins at the US open.
Taking it all the way in to the beach.
Literally. Onto Dry Sand!!!
Team Hawaii, giving it eventing they got!
No one came in from the lineup without doing the best they could.
and the heart felt notion was felt amongst everyone on the beach.
Luckily everyone here had a nice cold Toña in hand while they waited for the final results.
The antiiciatiopn of who won after a long hard years work on the OSSC tour was intense.
Behold…. it was Surfside, of San Diego who took the win this year.
Never can it feel so good to be showered by beer by your esteemed friends after a hard long journey like it was today.
Nor is it being cheered by all of your fans and friends alike in such an amazing surf destination.
Ice Cold Toña has never tasted better!!
The Oakley Surf Shop Challenge 2018 winners.
Team Surfside of San Diego, CA.
Alright amigos. Thanks for following the days contest. Hope to see you back here tomorrow as we get back to the normal NSR surf report of waves. Thank you so much!!! ~
RECENT REPORTS
Hey amigos! Welcome to Tuesday’s surf report from Panga Drops. This lady either ended up a bit later than anticipated or misunderstood what it means to get barreled haha! I’ve got to give her credit for looking at this wave though. You don’t know if you don’t go (or at least look at going).
FROM THE ARCHIVES
What’s up guys and gals?! This is Hotsticks logging in to show you some shots of surfers shredding. The waves are fun too so check it out.