After losing the Southwest title to Sun Diego Mission Beach in 2017, Surf Ride Oceanside found redemption and solidified their spot at the Oakley Surf Shop Challenge National Championship in Nicaragua.

Cooperating winds and a new SSW swell building throughout the day made conditions at Seaside Reef in Cardiff, CA on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 prime for the twelve competing shops to battle for top southwest honors and the coveted ticket to Nicaragua.

With less than one and a half points separating the top three teams in the highly contested final, competitors were on edge as the final surfers tagged up to take to the water. In the end, Surf Ride Oceanside managed to squeeze out the win by a mere 0.34 over their fellow North County San Diego shop rivals Surf Ride Solana Beach.

“That was the most exciting final I’ve ever seen,” says Surf Ride Oceanside’s Gabe Garcia, “we’re all super amped to go to Nicaragua!”

The 2018 win marks the seventh Southwest regional Surf Shop Challenge title for Surf Ride Oceanside. (2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008)

Congrats to Surf Ride Oceanside team members Gabe Garcia, Dayton Silva, Simon Hausmaninger, and Chris Murnane on taking the Southwest win.