The Professional Longboard Association is pleased to announce that Kai Sallas (HAW) and Cori Schumacher (USA) have been crowned the 2009 PLA Pro Champions.
The PLA finished its 2009 season on Sunday November 15th in Oceanside, CA. The event saw some great surfing in some below average conditions. Taylor Jenson, former US Champion, was able to take the men's division and 2nd PLA victory of the year, while former World Champion Cori Schumacher, finished strong taking also taking her 2nd victory of the PLA season.
Although competition was strong in both divisions, the underlying story was that of the PLA championship race. The PLA men's division was tight as Kai Sallas (HAW) and Steven Newton (USA) were in the mix for the PLA championship. While only a few points separated the two throughout the year, Kai Sallas (HAW), helped by his big victory at the Rabbit Kekai Longboard Classic in Hawaii, and second place finish at the PLA San Diego Pro event was able to maintain the lead and finish the year with his 2nd PLA Pro Championship (2008-2009), winning with a total 1069 points. Steven Newton finished 1011 points. Sallas also won his 1st North American Championship, by beating out Newton. As for the women's division, the PLA Championship was already decided before the Championship event as Cori Schumacher (USA), held a large points leads over PLA runner up Lindsey Steinreide (USA). Schumacher becomes the PLA's first Women's Pro Champion, while taking back to back North American Championships.
"Winning the PLA Championships this year was really important to me. It was the first viable ASP rated tour for women longboarders in North America. As such, the winner was chosen, not by a single event but by a series of events with cumulative points going toward the title. This series has set a precedent for women's longboarding that I hope will continue in the coming years", said Schumacher.
The PLA will begin its 2010 season in February at Ventura's "C" St. A full schedule to be announced and posted on the PLA website, www.surfpla.com . |
