This Past weekend May 14-15 was the WSA west coast surfing championships held at churches,I went into the event with a strong lead in both the masters and open but it didnt mean i was safe since it was a double points event which can help u or hurt u.I had been amping for this event for a month but with a few weeks till the event i got hit with a bad chext infection an had to go to the hospital for treatments .i was getting bummed since i wasnt surf if i was even going to beable to compete but lucky for me i took my meds and stay out of the water and got better.I had only 5 days till the event and hadn't surfed in almost 3 weeks ,but i hustled surfed all day and trained my but off for the 5 days.
Heading into the event i was feeling pretty good .I looked at the surf forecast and it looked pretty dismal so i wasnt really expecting to much,I also just got a few fresh boards that i was trying out an they were feeling good so i was diffently heading to the event feeling confident.
i arrive Sat an it was a little windy,overcast and small waves 2-3 ft,I had my 1st few heats and won those so i was pretty confident i had already sealed the deal.But in the semi final heat of the open mens i paddled out and didnt get a good wave for the 1st 7 mins of a 15 min heat i was sitting in 4th , then i saw a set approaching and new if i got it i would get a good score and jump into the lead.As im paddling into the wave a guy S J starts paddeling towards me and swings around under me to catch the wave and i thought oh hell no so i keep paddling since i was further out and already commited to the left hander ,he paddles to my inside as im already up and throws his hands up to the judges,I start to go down the line and kick out and was like are u kidding me .I wait to hear what the judges say and I hear interference Red which was me on White and i lost it im saying to the kid are you serious trying to get me an interference and in a heat of anger i turn to the judges and give a double middle finger.I'm getting ready to catch another wave to try and make up for the interference and i hear over the loud speaker Red u have been disqualified from the event please leave the water.With 2 mins left i paddle in and hear everyone talking oh my god what just happened.I walk up to the judges and contest organizers and they tell me im done for the day and it was unsportsmen like and i was like come on thats not fair the kid purposely did it and i was mad.The head judge comes down an we talk and get everything squared away and i asked if i will be able to surf sunday the head judge said its up to the contest organizers.I apoligize to the head judge go down an talk to the organizers they deliberated and decided to let me surf the next day since i was in 1st place in both .They also gave me points for 4th in that heatwhich i new then i was the open champ .I was so stoked event though i had to leave the beach for the rest of the day.I did learn though that some actions can affect u in a big way.i left the beached humbled but even more fired up for Sunday.
I go home have some dinner an family time .Went to bed early since i had to be at the beach at 7am.
I wake up Sunday to overcast and rain clouds.i arrive to the beach and it is smaller 1-2 ft and just ugly.I look at my heat and its with my good friend we paddle out and just have some fun no real waves came through in the 1st 10 mins ,So we talk we each catch a few ok waves nothing big ,even though were good buddys and were diffently going to the final since it was only 2 of us in a 4 man heat i still wanted to beat him he had a little bit better last wave .I sat patiently and with 3 seconds i get the better wave of the heat and do 3 good turns after the heat i said haha looks like i beat u ,He laughed and we turned in are jeserys and hung out till the final.By the final i knew i had also sealed the masters title so there was no pressure.In the final it was me and 2 friends anda rival who wanted to win so bad.Waves were pretty bad after the little rain storm we had earlier in the day ,We paddle out water was warm but very inconsistent,Everyone started catching waves right off the bat,I got a few ok ones but notting special,a few of the other guys got some good ones.I kew after the 2o min final that i didnt get the good ones but i was still stoked.
It wa time for the results.They called 4th and it wasnt me then 3rd place Paul Pugliesi and so on.I was still stoked .
Then they did your 2011 OpenChamp and masters champ Paul Pugliesi i was so stoked and so releaved after a long yr.I was the WestCoastChamp
Now it will be nationals in June to decide who will be the National champ so stay tuned to see.
Yea its not a pro event but to me i dont care a comp is a comp pro or not it still takes a lot of mental and physical work .The ASP events are so hard to get into and the WSA is a great organization ,I need to keep my competition skills sharp so why not surf what i can . In between pro events So to all those out there who say negative things lets see u do it then talk ur bs.Im stoked with my results and life pro event or not.
Also thanks to all my family,friends and sponsors for there support .
Isabella Pugliesi
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