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Team USA Takes the Bronze at World Junior Surfing Championships

With the help of three Montecito teenagers, Team USA placed third in the world this week at the Quicksilver International Surfing Association World Junior Surfing Championship. Held along the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island at Piha Beach, the contest wrapped up on Thursday and, when the final heat concluded, Team USA had earned a bronze medal in the coveted overall team competition, just behind perennial powerhouse squads from Hawaii and, overall champion, Australia.

Montectio's Lakey Peterson psyching up before the finals of the Girls Under 18 division of the International Surfing Association's World Junior Championships in New Zealnd this week. Peterson ended up 4th in the world in her age division.

15-year-old regular-foot ripper Lakey Peterson — a constant head turning presence in the local lineups from Hammonds to Rincon — was a major factor in Team USA’s impressive showing. Her 4th place finish in the Girls Under 18 division was the highest placing for any girl on Team USA and the second highest individual finish by anyone on the 12-person team. 14-year-old Parker Coffin, also from Montecito, managed a respectable 9th overall ranking in the hotly-contested Boys Under 16 age division while his big brother, Conner — who many felt had a good chance to win his division — finished a disappointing 37th overall in the Boys Under 18 division.

All told, 21 countries from around the world compete in the ISA Junior

Games in New Zealand, which ran from January 20th through the 28th.

For more complete coverage of the event check out www.isaworldjuniors.com