Evan Geiselman (USA), 17, defending ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion, won the 2011 Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior today.

Credit: HILLEMAN

SEASIDE REEF, California / USA (April 23, 2011)- Evan Geiselman (New Smyrna Beach, FL), 17, and Lakey Peterson (Santa Barbara, CA), 16, earned impressive victories in each of their respective divisions today at the men’s and women’s ASP 4-Star Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior presented by Hurley, Reef, and Whole Foods Market in peaky two-to-four foot (1 metre) conditions at Seaside Reef.

Stop No. 5 of 9 on the men’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series and No. 1 of 3 on the women’s, the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior’s ASP 4-Star status plays a vital role is surfers’ chances of qualification for the prestigious ASP World Junior Tour.

Geiselman, who belted the highest single-wave score of the competition, a near-perfect 9.50 out of 10 in his Semifinals heat, maintained his form in the Final with calculated wave selection to take his first ASP Pro Junior event win of 2011. The Floridian got the best of a low-scoring bout over current ASP North America Pro Junior Series leader Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA), 17, Chase Wilson (Newport Beach, CA), 20, and Dane Zaun (Holyglen, CA), 20, to move Geiselman to No. 2 on the ASP North America Pro Junior Series.

“It was kind of a sluggish final for me and I think for the rest of the competitors and I was pretty tired out there, but I’m so happy to get a win and get some momentum going,” Geiselman said. “I’m not having the best year like last year so I’m so excited. I just want to thank my Mom for helping me out lately. She flew out here before the event and has been doing everything for me.”

Geiselman, who had struggled to find the podium after clinching his 2010 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Title, looks at the victory as a confidence booster before entering the upcoming ASP 5-Star Oakley Pro Junior and is hungry to hunt down current series leader and close friend, Andino, in an attempt to repeat his regional title.

“I want to do really well at Lowers and try and catch Brother (Kolohe Andino) and try to make it a bit of a race,” Geiselman said. “This win helps my confidence after a slow start this year and I’m so excited for the next event.”

Peterson, defending Women’s ASP North America Pro Junior Series Champion, quietly advanced through the early rounds of the Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior before unleashing a dominant performance in the Final. The talented regular-footer combined committed snaps and rail work on both her forehand and backhand in the Final to top fellow competitors Nage Melemed (HAW), 17, Leila Hurst (HAW), 17, and Taylor Pitz (Laguna Beach, CA), 18, to take the lead on the women’s 2011 ASP North America Pro Junior Series Rankings.

“The final was super fun and the waves were super good the whole time,” Peterson said. “The waves never really stopped which was nice. I didn’t really have that good of heats in the beginning and I had been sick in bed the past few days. All of the girls were surfing so well and I’m excited to win.”

The young Californian’s win marks a perfect start to her 2011 ASP Pro Junior campaign as she looks to retain her regional title while hunting for a position on the ASP World Junior Tour.

“I want to go to Worlds and this result puts me in a good position,” Peterson said. “Hopefully I can get a couple more results this year.”

Peterson, who has been competing in the major ASP Women’s Star events across the globe, carried the confidence from her international experience into the ASP Pro Junior contest.

“Competing in the Star rated events definitely helps my confidence going into these contests,” Peterson said. “I was watching my friends in the Bells contest when I was sick in bed and that kind of got me amped up for today.”

For Rob Machado Seaside Pro Junior presented by Hurley, Reef and Whole Foods highlights log on to www.robmachadoprojr.com