NOT EVEN a hungry shark could stop the latest international romp by local surfer Chelsea Roett.
Competing in the Explorer Women’s and the Open Women’s Divisions at the recently concluded National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) East Coast Regional Championships in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, the local surfing sensation had a close call with one of the frequent visitors to the area.
A spinner shark surfaced a few feet away from her in one of her semi-final heats, grabbing a meal of a smaller fish.
The previous day, two surfers in the contest found themselves victims of shark attacks and suffered minor bites.
However, the incidents did nothing to deter Roett as she completed a perfect winning streak – with number one finishes in all of her qualifying heats – on her way to the finals in both divisions.
The 18-year-old then sealed the deal bringing home the championship.
Speaking after the event, Roett said she “totally enjoyed” the contest and found the waves to be “quite fun with some punchy sections” where she could perform big manoeuvres allowing her to get the scores she needed.
The wins came on the heels of her recent third place finish at the Ron Jon Vans Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Junior Pro Women’s contest in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
That ASP event was Roett’s first ASP final and, with it, she bettered her fifth place showing at the 2013 version of the event.
The New Smyrna contest also now qualifies Roett for the NSSA National Championships in Huntington Beach, California in June. (HLE/PR)
