Santa Barbara local surf stars to represent the U.S. in Central America surf contest

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Two Santa Barbara local teenage surf stars are headed to Central America to represent the United States in a surf competition.

Vela Mattive, 14, and Jak Ziets, 16, got invited to the Central American competition because of the high results they scored at various big surf competitions, Mattive said.

The teenagers are two of 12 people representing the United States in the competition, which includes surfers from 40 different countries, according to Mattive.

Ziets said it's an honor to represent the Santa Barbara community at the competition and he is excited to compete with surfers from all across the world.

The surfers stopped by News Channel 3-12 to talk about their upcoming competition.

Click here to watch the live competition.