Impressive day. Tommy Orsini advanced to the second round in the Open Men's division during Saturday's AAU Surfing National Championships held behind Coconuts on the Beach in Cocoa Beach. Rik Jesse, FLORIDA TODAY WEB EXTRAS
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COCOA BEACH - Early morning rain showers didn't keep the AAU National Championships from kicking off Saturday in front of Coconuts On The Beach in Cocoa Beach.
Thirty-five heats were completed in semi-glassy, three to four-feet waves, including Round 2 of both Open Men's and Junior Men's events.
Finals in these divisions, along with Menehune, Boys, Longboard, Bodyboard and Masters will be held today.
"We're also holding an eight-team Tag Team event tomorrow, with two teams each from Satellite High, Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High, Melbourne High and Jupiter High," said contest organizer George Seguna.
More than 100 entrants flocked to the beach Saturday morning after a brief downpour moved north through Cocoa Beach. By 11 a.m., the sun came out to stay, and spectators lined the beach to catch a glimpse of the competition.
"This is the best turnout we've ever had," said Seguna, who also is the Satellite High surf team coach. "It's really good this year compared to last year."
Running alongside the AAU event was the Halloween Wahine Pro-am, organized by Monica Dyer of Surfet's Surf Shack.
"Our amateur divisions are now AAU-sanctioned," Dyer said. "This is also the first year we've had a pro purse for women's shortboard and longboard."
Amateur competition wrapped up on Saturday for the Wahines, with Pro finals set for today.
Some 50 girls entered the Halloween contest, with almost 25 competing for a share of the $1,200 purse.
In the Open Men's division, local pros like Rylan McCart, Tommy Orsini and Sean Volland advanced into Round 2. The top-four finishers in that division qualify for a slot in the Sean Slater Invitational, coming Nov. 11-13 in front of the Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach.
Last year, 18-year-old Melbourne Beach resident Marshall Alberga won the AAU qualifier and went on to take down eight-time world champion Kelly Slater and veteran World Tour pro Shea Lopez in the Slater Invitational.
Matt Sabatino, who advanced through his Junior Men's and Open Men's heats, said the waves were "pretty good today," although he was a bit worried about his upcoming heat.
"The competition is going to get more difficult as it goes on," Sabatino said. "I've got my friend Chris Duff in my next heat, but I think I've got a good chance of placing in the top four."
Prizes and trophies await the various winners today, but Saturday's focus was on families and fun.
"We're doing different contest formats (for the kids), but so far today, they're all having fun."
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