Photo: Cole Houshmand Proves Power Surfing’s Not Dead At Lowers

Summertime finally arrived for Southern California surfers last week as a solid run of southwest swell lit up the coast. Back home in San Clemente after a quick training trip to Tavarua, WSL Championship Tour rookie Cole Houshmand didn't waste any time getting his feet in the wax at Lowers. From soaring straight airs to full-rail hammers, the local hero laid down a tour de force.

The hotbed of American talent on tour today, standing out among the masses at Lowers isn't easy, especially when you're built like a linebacker. But illustrating exactly why he's in the Rookie of the Year conversation, along with homie Crosby Colapinto, Houshmand's able to leverage his size and power like few others.

Ventura -based photographer Brent Flaaten chased the swell down south and showed up just in time to document Houshmand's act. We grabbed a handful of Flaaten's frames that illustrate exactly how hard Houshmand goes when he's feeling it on the Lowers left. And true to his good nature, he even got out of the water in time to show up to a surprise Olympic sendoff for friend and mentor Griffin Colapinto.

Harkening back to Lowers legends like Christian Fletcher and Chris Ward, Houshmand with a frontside punt everyone can enjoy.

Disco moves on the Lowers left dance floor.

Houshmand putting on a show for his homie on the shoulder.

All eyes, and lenses, were on Houshmand as he made the most of the solid, mid-summer south swell.

Big kid, big power. Growing up surfing Lowers, Houshmand's hands down a driving force at most competitive lineup in Southern California.

That feeling when you get out of the water and know you were on a heater.

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