Costa Rican Axel Castro and Panamanian Kai Gale Grani once again climbed onto the podium at a United States Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) event, this time at a Western Conference tournament held in Huntington Beach, California last Saturday and Sunday.

The two placed second, behind heavy favorite Cole McCaffray of California.

“I'm very happy, obviously I wanted to win but the waves were very difficult and I did what I could… I only surfed one good wave, I was missing a six,” said Axel after getting out of the water.

Another Costa Rican, Leo Apreda, and another Panamanian, Teo Gale Grani, also participated in the tournament; both came close to reaching the final.

The results were the following:
1-Cole McCaffray-Cardiff
2-Kai Gale Grani - Panama
3-Hudson Saunders-Laguna Beach
4-Wheeler Hasburgh-Encinitas

1-Cole McCaffray-Cardiff
2-Axel Castro-Costa Rica
3-Dane Matson-San Clemente
4-Daniel Boos-Manhattan Beach

It's worth noting that the United States should be signing Cardiff's Cole McCaffray for the 2024 Paris Olympics.