Reef Team Rider, Tonino Benson, is headed to Japan for another WQS 6-Star event following major back-to-back wins in California. This weekend Benson claimed the Lost Pro Juniors title at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing. The 17-year-old phenom nearly missed California’s largest surf contest, but showed up in Huntington Beach just in time to dominate the onshore peaks for a win.

"I am super stoked to come away with the win!” says Benson. “I was really bummed with my first round loss in the Open. Winning Juniors made my whole trip to California worthwhile." The fleet-footed Hawaiian posted a massive victory over a line up of very solid surfers including local Chris Waring (Seal Beach, CA), Jordy Smith (Durban, ZAF) and Mason Ho (North Shore, HI).

In the second half of the finals, Benson turned it up a notch with his trademark frontside air reverse posting consecutive high scores of 7.27 and 6.67. With 5 minutes to go, Benson built a bigger lead leaving his fellow finalist searching for scores over 6-points to catch the young Hawaiian. However, with luck on his side the ocean went flat. Smith and Waring made a couple of ill fated attempts, but came up short leaving Tonino in a solid position for the 2008 U.S. Open Pro Juniors title.

“Since coming back from Bali in April where Tonino surfed with Fanning, Machado and Bobby filming Mixed Tape, his surfing has really stepped it up,” says Heath “Nutty” Walker, Reef Global Athlete Manager. “He’s had back-to-back wins now with the NSSA National Championship last month and now with the U.S. Open Juniors. Tonino is only 17 and I am super proud of how he is maturing as a surfer and a young man. We’re really looking forward to watching his future surfing career take off over the next couple of years.”

From Japan, Tonino is headed to Indonesia to go on a boat trip with fellow Reef team riders including Bobby Martinez. Past winners of the US Open Juniors title include Damien Hobgood and Timmy Currin, who have gone on to have very successful surfing careers. As if anyone needs more proof, thisaweekend’s victory shows that Tonino is on the path.

You can check out Tonino in Reef's new flick "Mixed Tape."

RESULTS

Lost Pro Junior – ASP Grade 2 Pro Junior

Final
1 – Tonino Benson (HAW) 13.94
2 – Chris Waring (USA) 12.87
3 – Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.17
4 – Mason Ho (HAW) 11.77