West Coast Surf Wins: Encinitas Charger & Huntington Innovator
Hey surf fam! Let's dive into two rad stories lighting up the California coast. First up, Encinitas local Katie McConnell just took down the 'Thriller at Killers' big-wave event off Todos Santos Island. The waves were massive – hitting 30 feet – making this year's contest way beyond the average beach day.
Katie, the defending champ, faced serious pressure defending her title. 'There's always nerves before any contest, I knew it would be extra difficult because I had won last year, and it puts a target on your back,' she shared. But she nailed it, proving her skill on one of the world's most demanding breaks. The event stacked up with SoCal heavyweights like Newport's Spencer Pirdy and San Clemente's Greg Long, but Katie's courage on the bombs made the difference. Growing up mesmerized by big-wave reruns on her dad's TV, she never imagined she'd be charging out there herself. You can get the full breakdown of her victory over at the Orange County Register.
Switching coasts, Huntington Beach's John West (aka 'That Surf Guy') is changing how we capture sessions. After a knee injury sidelined him from surfing, John noticed a gap: while we film birthdays and parties on land, surfers rarely get water footage. So he created CityPro, a mobile app connecting surfers with videographers and photographers from San Diego to Santa Cruz. 'Every surfer knows that feeling – catching waves and wondering if someone on the beach got the shot,' John explains. Whether you're analyzing your turns or saving that perfect barrel, CityPro makes it happen. His journey from real estate to surfpreneur shows how passion drives real solutions for our community. Check out his story on The Inertia.
From giant-wave glory to grassroots innovation, these stories remind us why we surf. It's about pushing limits, sharing stoke, and documenting those magic moments. Whether you're chasing 30-foot walls or perfecting your cutback, there's room for everyone in the lineup. Keep riding, keep shooting, and keep that stoke alive!