Griffin Colapinto and Caitlin Simmers have taken out the 2021 US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach in California.
The American duo won the first stage on the 2021 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS) and simultaneously celebrated the biggest achievement in their career.
The finals got underway in average three-foot waves, with reform sections on the inside proving to be critical in building a good score.
Colapinto, 23, defeated fellow countryman Jake Marshall in the men’s final after a decisive exchange between both surfers with ten minutes on the clock.
The winner of the 2017 Triple Crown of Surfing solidified his two-wave score with a convincing last-minute ride.
“It’s been a long time since I won my last event – a pro junior contest – when I was 16. But I felt good from the beginning of this contest,” expressed Colapinto.
“I am always going to smile, win or lose. This is the biggest win of my career and certainly an important moment in my life.”
In the women’s final, Simmers beat Gabriela Bryan with two high-scoring waves ridden on the second half of the heat.
The 15-year-old secured another historic win after winning the 2019 US Open Pro Junior trophy aged 13.
“I am happy everything went my way. With the low tide, I knew I couldn’t do what I did in my last heat and wait 20 minutes for a wave,” revealed Simmers.
“My goal is to surf and have fun. My mindset remains unchanged, and I’m not trying to qualify [for the Championship Tour].”
The legendary surf contest was also marked by the death of a man near the pathway and on the south side of Huntington Beach’s pier.
Several police officers shot the adult Hispanic person after allegedly not complying with their commands.
2021 US Open of Surfing | Finals
Men
1. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.20
2. Jake Marshall (USA) 12.83
Women
1. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.90
2. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.60
