Titus Santucci, Manera rider from Encinitas, recently qualified for the U.S Junior National Surf Team. Santucci is the first Filipino-American male to do so, and quickly headed off to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the Junior National Championship.
On his instagram, Santucci mentioned it has always been a goal of his to make the Junior National Team. “My dad would push me in the waves and so did my mom. It was cool to bring me in the surfing world and teach me everything I knew,” he said. (CBS8, 2023).
With 46 countries and 356 athletes competing at the championship, Santucci was proud to be amongst his eleven other teammates surfing in Brazil. The team has competing athletes ranging from U16 to U18, all who returned home with silver metals- a stepping stone from the previous year, where Team USA brought home bronze. (American Surf Magazine, 2023).
Santucci has been riding for Manera since early 2023. When reflecting on his Manera gear, he stated “These suits have been great at keeping me warm throughout my travels, always toasty!”
Congratulations, Titus! We can’t wait to see what you have in store.
