Pro Surfing at San Clemente : Andino Rides His Waves to Victory

Dino Andino of San Clemente slashed his way through a series of high, challenging waves Sunday to win the $4,000 first prize in the U.S. Pro Tour of Surfing and Bodyboarding at San Clemente Pier.

Andino, who scored his second consecutive victory on the Professional Surfing Assn. of America tour, was followed closely by Jim Hogan, also of San Clemente. Mike Cruickshank of Dana Point, who said he is retiring from competition after this season, was third and defending U.S. champion Mike Lambresi of Carlsbad came in fourth.

Hogan, who also finished second to Andino in their semifinal heat, received $2,000. Cruickshank, who came in second to Lambresi in his semifinal heat, received $1,000 and Lambresi got $710.

Andino, who practices often at San Clemente, used his knowledge of the area to the utmost. Riding waves as high as five feet, he streaked along the top of the waves and then fought his way through the white water to score heavily with the judges.

Hogan, who also works out at San Clemente, had some strong rides as well, but he was not consistent enough to overtake Andino.

“You can never take anything for granted in surfing,” Andino said. “Once I made the finals, I was going all out for the win. I had real good wave selection in the finals, and when I pulled off that floater on the final wave in the finals, I felt good.”

The victory pulled Andino within 753 points of Lambresi in the PSAA standings. Lambresi leads with 7,397 points. Hogan is third with 6,044 points.

In the bodyboarding competition, Ben Severson of Honolulu scored his third victory of the season by twisting and turning through the waves to hold off defending U.S. champion Mike Stewart. His first-place prize was $1,200.

Stewart, who has a 500-point lead over Severson in the PSAA standings, received $610 for finishing second. Cameron Steele of San Clemente got $300 for finishing third.

“I knew I had the better waves to ride,” Severson said. “If you are able to connect with the right kind of waves, you are going to be right there for the title, and that’s exactly what I did.”