San Clemente’s Apex Predators Resurface At Lowers

There might be a fresh crop of hyper-coached, hyper-sponsored, hyper-funded young talent bubbling up in San Clemente, but who, for now, still holds the title of apex predator at Lowers?

You’d have to think Crane, Kolohe, and Chris Ward —  the three guys in Crane’s latest YouTube edit, where Lowers looks like the WSL’s finals day wet dream — still hold the kingdom’s keys, for now.

For a quick refresher: Crane recently slogged through three rounds in Surf100, but got sent packing by Cam Richards in some desperately unflattering conditions. Post-loss, he embarked on an undeniably epic Bobby Martinez-style takedown of CI, while Britt Merrick and Dane Reynolds awkwardly sat a few meters away. He lives on in spirit, though, and we’re down to three.

Kolohe appears to be splitting his time between family, his brand Steko, and occasional competitive forays — currently sitting 39th on the CS after his second event of the season at Huntington.

And Wardo… well, when we asked pro skater Alex Midler what defines a pro surfer, his answer was simple: “Surf like Wardo.”

The throne remains occupied.