Luke Hughes wins Volcom VQS

Following up a second place in the Corona Super 16 (he trailed Maz Quinn by just .5 points), DC's Luke Hughes continues his amazing recent run of form by winning the Volcom VQS. Now he's off to California to compete in the World VQS finals. Good work Luke! Here's a little rundown of the final.

The last final of the day was the Pro Am division with two local surfers, Luke Hughes and Leon Santorik going head to head. In a 15-minute final, they knew that they were going to have to post massive scores to take home the winner’s trophy and a chance to represent their country in the World VQS finals in California. It was Leon Santorik that landed the first blow and picked up a perfect left-hander, smashing it all the way down the point to pick himself up a 8 point ride. Hughes waited out the back patiently, he knew he had his work cut out for him, but when he took off on a cracker set wave and didn’t hold back, unleashing a series of beyond back hand vertical reo’s, he was awarded a near perfect 9-point ride from the judges. He knew he was back in the lead with 7 minutes remaining. Leon knew he needed a decent wave to take it out and when he paddled into a bomb the crowd thought he might of taken out the win. With 3 massive backhand blasts he had another 8-point ride added to his heat total of 16. With only 3 minutes left in the final and Hughes knowing he needed better than a 7-point ride to take out the final, his patience paid off when a 5-foot set came straight to him. He knew if he surfed this wave well he would have it in the bag. With the crowd on the point holding their breath he didn’t disappoint with 6 of the biggest turns all day. He picked himself up a near perfect 9.7 and also the winner’s trophy and the opportunity at a World VQS title to his name. After making the Final of the VQS 5 times Luke Hughes was ecstatic to finally have the prestigious title to his name In his winning speech Luke Hughes dedicated his fabulous win to his dad.