Pitz starts NSSA season strong

Taylor Pitz, a senior at Laguna Beach High and member of the school’s surf team, won the Open Women’s division of the National Scholastic Surfing Assn. (NSSA) Southwest Open Season series opener Sunday at the Huntington Beach Pier.

The contest was the first in a 10-contest NSSA season. Placement in the series qualifies surfers for NSSA West Coast Championships and NSSA Nationals in June 2011.

The Open Women’s division is the top division for female competitors.

“Starting my senior year of high school has been really busy and stressful, so winning this contest gives me a lot of confidence,” Pitz said. “I’m super stoked to start off the NSSA season strong.”

Pitz has been a member of the USA Surf Team the past three years and competed on the squad when it won at bronze medal in January at the International Surfing Assn. World Junior Games in New Zealand. She is also a Billabong girls’ team rider. She has been team MVP for Laguna Beach the past three years.

Last year, Pitz was the undefeated South Coast League champion in girls’ shortboard and the NSSA High School Women’s State Champion.

The next NSSA Southwest Open Division series contest is Sept. 25 and 26 at the Oceanside Pier.