Marks, Andino and Slater Headline Olympic Expression Session – highlight new big goal for up-and-coming surfers

(San Onofre State Beach, Lower Trestles) – June 22, 2021 - Team USA Olympic surfers Caroline Marks and Kolohe Andino and GOAT and Olympic alternate Kelly Slater put on a show in today’s “Olympic Expression Session” in front of more than 200 of the nation’s best under 18 surfers competing this week in the Toyota USA Surfing Championship.
 
Coming back from ankle surgery, Kolohe Andino looked strong, doing deep carves and layback snaps. Caroline Marks took to the air for the cameras and had the crowd cheering for her backside hammers. And, no one does a carving 360 like 11-time world champion and Olympic alternate Kelly Slater.  
 
“The Olympic expression session was a big hit!” said coach Brett Simpson. “So great to see Kolohe back finding his form. It looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat with some big maneuvers. And Caroline was in fine form showing why that back hand is one of the best in the biz.” 
 
World No. 5 Griffin Colapinto added to the session’s star power, drawing ooohs and aaahhs the whole session with a pop shove it and fun airs. Aerial phenom Kevin Schulz found plenty of ramps and could share his extensive experience surfing in Japan. 
 
“Having the Olympians surf in front of the up-and-coming surfers highlights the new big Olympic goal our young surfers now have to strive toward,” said USA Surfing CEO Greg Cruse. 

2021 ISA World Surfing Games surfer Ryan Huckabee said he was stoked to see Griffin and Kevin pushing the level of surfing on Lowers' lefts. "Those were some of the biggest airs I've ever seen at Lowers. And it's great to see Kolohe surfing well again after being injured. I can't wait to watch the Olympics!" Huckabee said. 
 
Olympic snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis impressed the judges and the announcers in the tower with her backside carves. Having medaled in several Olympics, Jacobellis said she was stoked for the surfers entering their first Olympics. She told them to be ready for more media, fan and brand attention than they’ve ever known. 
 
Caroline, Kolohe, Griffin and Kevin got their start in USA Surfing’s Prime Series and Championship events, as did many Olympic surfers from other nations and professional surfers on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour. 
 
Team USA Surfers Carissa Moore, John John Florence, Caroline Marks and Kolohe Andino will be headed to Tokyo for surfing’s first Olympics in July. The Opening Ceremony begins July 23 with the window for surfing opening on July 25. 
 
“I’m looking forward to seeing our Olympic surfers soak up the unmatched experience of representing their country on the world’s largest sporting stage,” Cruse said. 
 
Read more: https://medium.com/@usasurfteam/your-guide-to-watching-surfing-as-the-sport-moves-to-the-olympic-stage-3bcf7588bbbd?postPublishedType=repub