Tuach takes second at Virginia Beach Surf Pro

Barbados’ top female surfer, Chelsea Tuach, has moved up to fifth in the North American rankings, after securing second place at the WSL 4000 Virginia Beach Surf Pro on Sunday. Tuach began the day in a semifinal matchup against North America’s No.1-ranked surfer, Reid Von Wagoner. The two went toe to toe throughout the heat, with Tuach needing only a modest score to advance in the dying moments. A wave arrived in the final minute, and Tuach surfed it expertly to earn the heat’s highest single-wave score—a 6.00. Combined with her earlier 5.17, the score secured the win and a berth in the final. Conditions slowed considerably during the final as the tide dropped. Although Tuach posted a solid 6.00, she was unable to find a decisive backup wave in the wave-starved heat and finished runner-up to Talia Swindel. “I’m very happy with my result,” Tuach said after the final. “It has been an amazing two weeks for me performance-wise, and to be in the top five in the North American rankings means a lot. “I’m very grateful for this blessing and am looking forward to my next competition next week, the Super Girl Surf Pro, which will also take place here in Virginia Beach.” The result continues an outstanding run for Tuach and places her firmly among the region’s leading surfers as she prepares for her next event. (PR)