All the competitors were asked to come up to the front. Ryan followed Tyler who looked at him.
Ty: "I never got to tell you, great wave kid."
Ry: "Thanks. And thanks for letting me take it."
Ty: "you deserved it. And you proved yourself. You know that you're the youngest kid to enter this competition right? At first I was thinking 'what can a 17 year old too. His too young' but you proved me wrong. You did great kid."
Ryan smiled. He couldn't believe that the best surfer in the United States was talking to him let alone telling him he was proud of him, and patting him on the back.
The announcer stood behind the podium. "this competition we have seen some of the best we have seen all year. But there can only be one winner today. The top 3 in today's competition however will be recognized and the second place wined we receive $500,00 and the third place recipient will receive $300,000. so now…In third place, we have Matt Weirden!"
The crowd went wild as Matt stepped up and received a trophy and took some pictures with the press. Ryan grew increasingly nervous.
The announcer went on "in first and Second place were extremely close, but we can only award first place to one, so in second place we have Ryan Atwood."
Ryan was so excited! Second place! That meant that he was the second best surfer in the Untied States! He was so excited he practically ran up to receive his trophy. He took some pictures with the press and then stood on the pedestal to hear that Tyler Jordan had won first place again.
Ryan was extremely happy with the way the competition had turned out. Never in a million years would he have thought he'd make it to the finals, and better yet make second place. As Ryan was stepping down 2 men approached him.
Men: "Ryan I'm John Ren, and this is Nick Waller, we are representing Hurly and Billabong. After seeing you out there we would like to ask you to be a member of our team and we would like to sign you on. This would mean 1 million dollars from each Billabong, and Hurly a year, and we are even willing you buy you a house so you can surf more. Of course clothes and surf boards would be included."
Ryan beamed! This couldn't be happening. Billabong and Hurly signed on only the best! He couldn't believe this!
Men: "what do you say Mr. Atwood. Do you accept."
Ry: "of course I do."