Encinitas establishes itself as pro surfing’s most powerful city after US Open sweep

Tears in San Clemente.

Encinitas, California, long in the shadow of San Clemente to the north is a simple town. Children and tweens enjoying leisurely electric bicycle rides down quaint paths, mothers waking with the sun to do the work of yoga, fathers waving hello as they pass in Sprinter vans. Friendly folk living humble lives.

Well, the spotlight will certainly shine brighter now after the quaint North County, San Diego hamlet utterly destroyed San Clemente and its arrogant surf superiority by winning the entire US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Jake Marshall, of Encinitas, and Sierra Kerr, who the mainstream media claimed for Encinitas but, I think, comes from Carlsbad, took the men’s and the women’s divisions right out.

“I can’t believe it. Coming in and having both my brothers on the beach is a dream come true. I never won a WSL event ever, even Pro Junior or QS,” Marshall told gathered reporters. “This year has been one of the hardest competitive years of my life, and to win this event means so much to me.”

“It’s been the hardest year ever and I never would’ve expected to be back here, winning this event. There were a lot of times where I didn’t know what the future would hold,” Kerr weighed in. “A lot of times that no one saw the tears, the pain, the not being able to get out of bed. Now, I’m just getting chaired up at the most prestigious event in the world, and I’m just so grateful.”

While, as mentioned, Encinitas is both simple and humble, plans might be in the works to erect street banners hailing Marshall and Kerr and other ones that read “Pro Surfing’s Most Powerful City.”

Stay tuned.