Santa Barbara surfer Cole Robbins, a member of Team USA, earned a bronze medal in the longboard competition at the Pan American Games on Sunday in Peru.
Robbins surfed against Julian Schweizer for a spot in the gold-medal heat. He scored a 7.33 on his third wave to take the lead, but Schweizer took the lead back and finished with a total score of 15.10 to seal the win. Robbins’ score was 12.50.
“I’m very proud to represent my country, my family and my community in the debut of surfing in the Pan American Games,” Robbins told the media. “I was determined for the gold but I’m proud to make the podium. This was an important day for surfing.”
Peru’s Benoit Clemente beat Schweizer for the gold medal.
Robbins was invited to compete in the U.S. Surfing team trials, where he earned a spot as the USA longboard representative.
He recently made the final at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Championships and received a copper medal.
“It’s an honor to be contacted by the U.S. Olympic Committee to be the first longboard surfer in history to compete in the Pan American Games representing the United States of America in Lima, Peru,” said Robbins.