Gerlach Finishes Fifth at Japan Event, Gains in Standings

Brad Gerlach of Encinitas, a Huntington Beach High School graduate, finished fifth in the Maui Pro Sunday at Hebara Beach in Chiba, Japan.

Gerlach is now in second place on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals’ world tour with 9,958 points, trailing Damien Hardman of Australia (10,286). Richie Collins of Newport Beach is fifth with 8,680.

Derek Ho won the Japan contest, beating fellow Hawaiian Sunny Garcia, 95 to 79.3, in the finals. Seal Beach native Marty Thomas finished ninth.

The next stop on the tour starts Wednesday at Miyazaki, Japan.

Mike Parsons of San Clemente finished second at the Body Glove East Coast Pro at Sebastian Inlet, Fla. Parsons, who is the overall points leader on the Bud Pro Surfing Tour, finished second to Rob Machado, 17, of Cardiff, the tour’s top-ranked amateur.