Deffenbaugh Gains Surfing’s Main Event

Jeff Deffenbaugh is counting down the days until he graduates from Huntington Beach High School.

But he is also keeping track of another important number--his wave count.

Deffenbaugh, a senior at Huntington Beach, won his second- and third-round heats Thursday at the $22,000 Body Glove Cup pro surfing competition at Huntington State Beach.

Deffenbaugh, in his first full season as a professional, advanced to today’s main event first round, where he will face Pat O’Connell of Laguna Niguel, Todd Miller of Costa Mesa and Walter Cerny of Grover City, Calif.

Others expected to compete today are Mission Viejo’s Donovan Frankenreiter, Huntington Beach’s Kirk Tice, Fountain Valley’s Bryan Pottger, San Juan Capistrano’s Shane Stoneman and Huntington Beach’s Bobby Lockhart. Competition begins at 9 a.m. today.

Deffenbaugh, 18, was among several local surfers who advanced despite competing in pathetic one- and two-foot wave conditions.

“It’s tough because you’re on a bad wave,” Deffenbaugh said, “and the whole time you’re thinking somebody else might be getting a better one.”

Still, Deffenbaugh managed to score well on four of his six third-round waves. He had several strong moves, including a backside floater, to advance to the next round.

Laguna Beach’s James Pribram, who won his third consecutive heat, advanced along with San Clemente’s Josh Baxter, Capistrano Beach’s George Hulse, Huntington Beach’s Craig Bechtloff, San Clemente’s Chad Navarro and South Laguna’s Dan Kennedy.

Results

(Top two advance to next round)

Second round

(Continued from Wednesday)

Heat 13--1. Jeff Deffenbaugh (Huntington Beach), 2. Shea Lopez; Heat 14--1. Daisuke Imamura, 2. Brad Kingsley (Dana Point); Heat 15--1. Bill Ferguson (Malibu), 2. Rainos Hayes; Heat 16--1. Gavin Dickenson, 2. Donie Soloman.

Third round

Heat 1--1. Richard Lovett, 2. David Giddings; Heat 2--1. Kasey Curtis (San Juan Capistrano), 2. Strider Wasilewski; Heat 3--1. Chris Drummy, 2. Dean Randazzo (Somers Point, N.J.); Heat 4--1. Jun Jo (Kailua, Hawaii), 2. Jason Gantz; Heat 5--1. Josh Baxter (San Clemente), 2. Danny Melhado (San Clemente); Heat 6--1. David Rose (Irvine), 2. Jim Hogan (San Clemente); Heat 7--1. Renan Rocha, 2. Scott Desidario; Heat 8--1. George Hulse (Capistrano Beach), 2. Paul Reinecke; Heat 9--1. James Pribram (Laguna Beach), 2. Seth Elmer; Heat 10--1. Jason Senn (Capistrano Beach), 2. Craig Bechtloff (Huntington Beach); Heat 11--1. Tim Reardon, 2. Anthony Ruffo (Santa Cruz); Heat 12--1. Dan Kennedy (South Laguna), 2. Josh Bradbury (Santa Barbara); Heat 13--1. Deffenbaugh, 2. Walter Cerny (Grover City); Heat 14--1. Imamura, 2. Allen Johnson (Del Mar); Heat 15--1. Doug Silva (Solana Beach), 2. Hayes; Heat 16--1. Chad Navarro (San Clemente), 2. Donnie Soloman.