If you love title races you're probably more than a little pissed off that nobody is stepping up to challenge Joel Parkinson on the world stage this year. Granted, if you're like me, you're happy for Parko, who certainly deserves his due. But titles are far more more memorable when they're hard fought ones. Case in point, I'm guessing Slater would have traded a couple of his easier-won crowns for the one he lost to Andy in 2003. Don't doubt that for a second. With Mick and Kelly both winning at record-setting paces during their title runs in '07 and '08 we're used to blowouts. Good for Parko if he wants to give chase.

But hardcore surf fans needn't be bothered by the lack of photo finish at the top spot. They can always find a race worth following, and this week's US Open of Surfing offers some great examples. Me, I'm keeping my eyes on the North American Pro Junior race. You like close ones? Well, how's 15-points sound for ya? That's the spread between current ratings leader Keanu Asing, the surprise package out of Hawaii, and Malibu's Dillon Perillo, the man hunting him down. Both surfers have already advanced to the Quarterfinals of the Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, which will resume on Thursday.

Malibu's Dillon Perillo is hoping to take over the top spot in the Pro Junior rankings in Huntington this weekend. Perillo has been on a bit of a roll in recent years, but is due for a high-profile win. Photo: Michael Lallande/Hurley.com

Perillo sporting his new look. Photo: Michael Lallande/Hurley.com

Keanu Asing has made back-to-back finals in the Pro Junior ranks, jumping all the way into the ratings lead after winning the Pier Pressure Pro last month. Photo: Michael Lallande/Hurley.com

Right now, there's no better place to get a better snapshot of the future than events like the Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, which is running in conjuction with the WQS 6-Star this week at the US Open of Surfing. Pro Juniors are limited to the best surfers under 20-years of age. By consolodating all the hot young talent in one division, the later round heats get stacked with heaps of rising young stars who, while a long way from peaking, are already huge forces to be reckoned with (case in point, Owen Wright, the current WQS leader on truly adjusted points, is the dominant Junior down in Australia.)

Evan Geiselman was on fire during the prelims. Hurley's Tom Aiello caught up with him after his heat.

There are several hot up-and-comers looking to mess with both Asing and Perillo, and none more so than Santa Cruz brace-faced Nat Young, and Newport's Andrew Doheney who are nipping at Perillo's heels. Reigning world junior champion Kai Barger, NSSA National Champion Kolohe Andino and Florida's Evan Geiselman, who is long overdue for a big result this year will also be playing huge spoiler roles. Fact is, the aforementioned might all be battling each other up in the big leagues soon, so it's fun to see how they handle prime-time pressure.


A freshly shaven Kolohe Andino has ripped his way into the quarterfinals of the Nike 6.0 Pro Junior, where he'll be hoping to keep his momentum going after winning a national title last month. Photo: Michael Lallande/Hurley.com