Gudauskas and Conlogue lead early rounds of WJC

American surfers Tanner Gudauskas, 20, and Courtney Conlogue, 16, have been the nation’s top representatives in the event thus far, and they will look to continue their top performances as the competition heats up.

The ASP World Junior Championships is the culmination of the ASP’s regional junior season, with each country sending their top performers to try an attain the ASP World Junior Championship title. Considering that past champions include three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons (Hanalei, HI), 30, Joel Parkinson (Coolangatta, AUS), 27, and Adriano De Souza (Guaruja Sao Paulo, BRA), 21, achieving a world title at the junior level is no easy feat.

Gudauskas, who finished third at last season’s ASP World Junior Championships, picked up where he left off, snatching a Round 1 victory from compatriot Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, and Andres Wurst (PER). The young San Clemente, CA native is hoping he can build upon his opening heat win as the event progresses.

“That first heat was crazy,” Gudauskas said. “Cory (Arrambide) got off to such a good start, but I just got lucky I guess. I’m just taking it as it goes. It’s great to surf in this quality event. The competition is similar to the WQS competitions. I got third last year, but now I want to better that result.”

Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 17, also snatched a Round 1 victory in his internationally stacked heat against Lincoln Taylor (Queensland, AUS), 20, and Shaun Joubert (Mosselbay, ZAF), 17. The opening round victory advanced the goofy-footer directly into Round 3 alongside Gudauskas.

Cory Arrambide (Ventura, CA), 19, Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), 16, Travis Beckmann (Vero Beach, FL), 20, and Blake Jones (Melbourne Beach, FL), 20, will all have to battle through Round 2 in order to keep their ASP World Junior Championship dreams alive.

Conlogue is the last American standing on the women’s front, earning a Quarterfinals berth with two tough heat victories in yesterday’s action. The Orange County based prodigy earned the day’s highest heat total of 15.67 out of a possible 20 when she defeated Nikita Robb (East London, ZAF), 19, in Round 3.

“I’m stoked to have made it through such a hard heat,” Conlogue said. “Surfing against all these girls is something which I’ve always aspired to. Although the conditions aren’t perfect, I felt really comfortable out there today. Hopefully I can take this momentum into the Quarterfinals.”