Surfer Jay-R Esquivel advances to semifinals of Wallex US Open
FILIPINO Jay-R Esquivel kept making big waves as he bested American Richie Cravey to claim a spot in the semifinals of the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic of the Wallex US Open in Huntington Beach Pier in Southern California yesterday (Aug. 6).
The proud son of San Juan, La Union was nothing short of fantastic in stunning current North American champion and came through with a 14.13 as against the latter’s 7.40.
The 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist was unperturbed by Mr. Cravey’s interference late in the heat knowing victory is already at hand.
It was a triumph that spoiled an all-American semis cast as three-time world longboard king Taylor Jensen, Tony Silvagni and Kaniela Stewart all made it through the finals day.
Entering the quarters, Esquivel shocked 2022 WSL Longboard Tour veteran Ben Skinner of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Esquivel, whose last triumph came in the Padrol Longboard Classic in Bali, Indonesia recently, also hurdled past Silvagni and Kevin Skvarna of the United States when he debuted a few days ago.
The top surfers here will inch closer toward qualification to the 2024 Championship Tour while also getting a chance to earn points in becoming the best in the sport in the whole planet.
And there is a golden opportunity that Mr. Esquivel could achieve both. — Joey Villar
