San Clemente's own, Mike Losness, became the first non-Huntington resident to win the Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack's. It was a wave starved contest that finished on a cold, windy, and all-around ugly day at southside Huntington Beach Pier.

Losness was able to find two good scoring waves in the difficult conditions and in the process became $5,000 richer. "The waves were not amazing all week, they were kind of small, but still rippable and still fun," he said after his heat. "I came up to this event not expecting too much, I had the goal of making the Quarterfinals and once I did, I figured anything after this is good."

Dillon Perillo, who had already won the Pro Junior of the event, was also in the final. This was the second time I've witnessed Perillo achieve this feat, he did the same thing at the Oakley Pro in Newport Beach a few months ago.

"I'm so stoked to have won the first contest," said Perillo. "Every heat I just tried to stay focused and do the same thing and I had three heats back-to-back. I just had fun and tried to not get too tired."

All and all it was a fun contest because it was Spring Break and there were tons of girls on the beach all week. The waves may have been small, but the chick-o-meter was high, so I had a pretty good time.

Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack's Surfboards Results:

Vans Pier Classic Final:

1. Mike Losness (USA) 16.15
2. Dillon Perillo (USA) 13.10
3. Hank Gaskell (HAW) 12.75
4. Eric Geiselman (USA) 12.75

Vans Pier Classic Semifinals: (1st and 2nd advance)

SF 1: Eric Geiselman (USA) 16.00, Dillon Perillo (USA) 15.00, Andrew Doheny (USA) 9.25, Jason Shibata (HAW) 7.80
SF 2: Hank Gaskell (HAW) 16.75, Mike Losness (USA) 13.50, Dege O' (TM)Connell (HAW) 13.40, Cody Thompson (USA) 6.40

Vans Pier Classic Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)

QF 1: Jason Shibata (HAW) 13.90, Dillon Perillo (USA) 13.35, Matt King (USA) 10.60, Michael Dunphy (USA) 9.75
QF 2: Andrew Doheny (USA) 14.20, Eric Geiselman (USA) 13.60, Noi Kaulukukui (USA) 13.50, Matt Keenan (USA) 9.15
QF 3: Hank Gaskell (USA) 16.40, Cody Thompson (USA) 13.35, Travis Beckmann (USA) John John Florence (HAW) 8.75
QF 4: Dege O'Connell (HAW) 18.10, Mike Losness (USA) 17.35, Nathan Carrol (HAW) 12.50, Shaun Ward (USA) 11.00

Ezekiel Pro Junior Final:
1. Dillon Perillo (USA) 17.80
2. Andrew Doheny (USA) 14.35
3. Luke Davis (USA) 12.75
4. Spencer Regan (USA) 12.75

Ezekiel Pro Junior Semifinals (1st and 2nd advance)

SF 1: Luke Davis (USA) 16.50, Spencer Regan (USA) 13.10, Brent Reilly (USA) 12.20, Hunter Heverly (USA) 5.25
SF 2: Dillon Perillo (USA) 16.00, Andrew Doheny (USA) 11.25, Chase Brady (USA) 10.50, Michael Dunphy (USA) 7.40

Ezekiel Pro Junior Quarterfinals: (1st and 2nd advance)

QF 1: Luke Davis (USA) 12.75, Brent Reilly (USA) 11.50, Dane Zaun (USA) 9.75, Doug Van Mierlo (USA) 6.10
QF 2: Spencer Regan (USA) 15.10, Hunter Heverly (USA) 13.25, Phillip Goold (USA) 12.65, Christian Saenz (USA) 8.75
QF 3: Chase Brady (USA) 14.25, Andrew Doheny (USA) 13.40, Gabe Garcia (USA) 9.25, Dege O'Connell (HAW) 8.75
QF 4: Dillon Perillo (USA) 15.05, Michael Dunphy (USA) 11.50, Matt Pagan (USA) 11.20, Jared Thorne (USA) 6.55

Ezekiel Pro Junior Round of 32 Results: (1st and 2nd advance)

Heat 5: Andrew Doheny (USA) 16.00, Jared Thorne (USA) 11.25, Levi Gonzales (HAW) 9.25, Rob Kelly (USA)
Heat 6: Gabe Garcia (USA) 14.75, Matt Pagan (USA) 11.00, Trevor Saunders (USA) 9.60, Conrad Carr (USA) 7.55
Heat 7: Dillon Perillo (USA) 17.10, Dege O'Connell (HAW) 10.00, Kekoa Cazimero (HAW) 9.15, Riley Metcalf (USA) 6.40
Heat 8: Michael Dunphy (USA) 14.90, Chase Brady (USA) 10.05, Nick Rupp (USA) 8.45, Matt Meola (HAW) 5.85

The Men's division of the Vans Pier Classic kicked off today, and I figured there's no better person to interview about it than last year's champ, Shaun Ward. He was coming in from a freesurf and laughing at his friends trying to get some girl's number. It's Spring Break and there's a surf contest going on, so the beach around the pier is a total scene right now. Well anyway, here's what last year's winner had to say:

So you won it last year, how did you spend the money?

Basically, the money went straight into a savings account and I'm living off it right now.

When do you surf your first heat?

My first heat is going to be tomorrow around mid-day, so I've just been surfing mid-day lately trying to get used to the conditions. It's just another day in Huntington, another freesurf.

Do you now who's in your heat?

I think I got Rat Boy [Jason Collins], so it'll be me, him and whoever advances in. It should be fun, me and Rat have surfed a lot of heats together, just good times.

What board are you going to ride?

I'm going to ride a baby swallow Superstix. It's just a design that he [Hamish Graham] shaped me that works really good when it's small.

I see no sticker on your board, are you shopping around for a deal in these hard economic times?

Yeah, I've been looking for one. It kind of tough, but I'm just going to be patient, and I know something will come to me eventually. I have to do good in these comps to keep the ball rolling.

What do you think your chances are of a repeat?

I just have to get out of the first round and just go from there. Most of the time if I make my first heat, I get going. It's either out in the first round or in the final, there's no real middle.

I was talking to Carlson and he was all bummed that he wasn't going on as many trips because of the recession. You have anything coming up?

Basically, I'm investing in myself right now, using my money to do a couple QS' events down the round, and go from there. I'm going to France and South Africa and just see how it goes. I'm in the money round, so it's just show up and make my money back, and if I blow up it's just that much more in the bank.

Alright, thanks man.

See you around.

The Vans Pier Classic in Riverside by the Sea, aka Huntington Beach, aka a drinking town with a surfing problem, will kick off next week. Check back for some MORINformed interviews with some of the contenders.

Cypress, CA (March 18, 2009) - The 4th Annual Vans Pier Classic presented by Jack's Surfboards takes over the Huntington Beach pier Wednesday, March 25 through Sunday, March 29. The event, which will be the second stop of the ASP North American Tour and first event of the ASP North America Pro Junior Series, consists of a Men's WQS 2-Star Vans Pro and a Men's Grade 2 Ezekiel Pro Junior. The contest will feature many of the best young surfers in the world vying for title honors and part of the $35,000 up for grabs.

Those that can't make it out to the pier can catch live webcasts of the entire event at www.vans.com. Also look for plenty of photos and daily live up-dates.

Surfers confirmed to compete among the 230 men draw include 2008 Pier Classic champ Shaun Ward as well as Hank Gaskell, John John Florence, Andrew Doheny, Jason "Ratboy" Collins and Dylan Perillo.

Contest Schedule:

Wednesday, March 25
8:00a - 1:20p Vans Pro Men's Round 1
1:20p - 4:00p Vans Pro Men's Round 2

Thursday, March 26
8:00a - 10:40a Vans Pro Men's Rnd 2 Cont.
10:40a - 4:00p Vans Pro Men's Round 3

Friday, March 27
8:00a - 1:20p Vans Pro Men's Round 4
1:20p - 2:40p Ezekiel Pro JR Round 1
2:40p - 4:00p Ezekiel Pro JR Round 2

Saturday, March 28
8:00a - 9:20a Ezekiel Pro JR Rnd 2 Cont.
9:20a - 12:00p Vans Pro Men's Round 5
12:00p - 2:40p Ezekiel Pro JR Round 3
2:40p - 3:00p Ezekiel Pro JR Round 4

Sunday, March 29
8:00a - 9:20a Ezekiel Pro JR Rnd 4 Cont.
9:20a - 10:40a Ezekiel Pro JR Quarterfinals
10:40a - 12:00p Vans Pro Men' s Quarterfinals
12:00p - 12:50p Ezekiel Pro JR Semi-Finals
12:50p - 1:40p Vans Pro Men's Semi-Finals
1:40p - 2:10p Ezekiel Pro JR FINALS
2:10p - 2:40p Vans Pro Men's FINALS
3:00p - Awards Presentation