Gabriel Medina Dominates Nike Lowers Pro Surf Competition

Gabriel Medina, 18, was crowned the victor at the Nike Lowers Pro 2012 6-star ASP Prime surf contest Saturday at Lowers Trestles in North San Diego County.

The young Brazilian surfer earned a $40,000 paycheck, a 14-karat gold spike and the adoration of the crowd of more than 1,500 who watched him best Glen Hall in the 3-5' waves.

Once again the waves at Trestles during the five day event were rippable, rideable and consistent, providing a solid performance platform for the world's best surfers.

Surfers such as John John Florence, Ace Buchan, Jeremy Flores, Tanner and Patrick Gudauskas, Glen Hall, Daniel Reynolds, Julian Wilson, and Medina wowed the crowd and the webcast and television audiences with their aerial and power surfing.

A consistent crowd pleaser was former World Champ Mark "Occy" Occhillupo who powered through the Lowers rights with his big bottom turns and backside snaps, but couldn't match up with San Clemente local Patrick Gudauskas to make the quarter finals.

During the award ceremony, Medina, thanked the large group of Brazilian fans who passionately cheered their countryman as he received his contest check and golden spike alongside his little sister Sophia and Hall.

The ASP World Tour moves next to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Billabong Rio Pro on May 9th.

Serge Dedina is the Executive Director of WiLDCOAST, an international conservation team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. He is the author of Wild Sea.