California teen Kolohe Andino has got to be stoked today after winning $20,000 and the title “Champion” of the ASP 6-Star SuperSurf Internacional Surf Competition. This was a good series for Andino, taking second place in the quarter-finals, first place in the semi-finals and then beating fellow American Tanner Gudauskas in the final round. The 17 year old was humble in his acceptance, attributing his win, in part, to luck. But anyone who has been watching Andino come up through the ranks knows he’s an amazing surfer.
Ubatuba, Sao Paulo Is Four Hours South of Rio
“In an North-American Final in Brazil, Kolohe Andino, 17, came out victorious over Tanner Gudauskas, 23, at the ASP World 6-Star SuperSurf Internacional presented by Peugeot at Itamambuca Beach in Ubatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Andino received U$ 20,000 and 3,500 points in the ASP World Ranking. They left the Brazilians Wiggolly Dantas and Halley Batista at third place in the semifinals.” Click here to visit the original source of this post
Last year surfing god Kelly Slater was quoted in an interview as saying that all that separated Andino from the big boys in surf competition was the growth his body had yet to go through. With this win, one has to ask, “Is this just the beginning for Andino?”
“Though Kolohe Andino, 16, is our honorary Grom of the Year, we might as well name him Grom of the Decade, right now. Arguably the best young surfer—locally, nationally or internationally—to come through the amateur ranks since Kelly Slater, Andino already has top pros like Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning talking him up. In fact, in a recent interview with Slater himself, the 10-time World Champ pointed out that the only difference between Andino and the seasoned elite is the strength from age and body mass that the 16-year-old will undoubtedly grow into sooner rather than later.”
Read more: San Clemente Times – Grom of the Year Kolohe Andino
You know Andino’s dad, legendary surfer Dino Andino, has got to be beaming with both pride and happiness for his son. He’s done a hell of a job raising a great young man and a damn good surfer!
