Influx of International Pros Makes for Good Viewing

Rockin’ Fig saw better surfing and hotter moves than normal at a recent pro surf contest at Imperial Beach in San Diego County.

Ian Cairns, U.S. Bud Surf Tour director, said that’s because more international competitors are in Southern California right now. But they didn’t travel here just for one contest.

A cluster of contests has come up right before the OP Pro on June 28 in Huntington Beach, the biggest surfing competition in the continental United States.

“The pros are trying to cover the risk on their expenses,” he said.

“The upside is we get more international flavor for our events. The downside is the local guys don’t like it because it lifts the level of performance.”

For spectators, it’s a bonus. Right, Figgy?

Yup. You’ve got some of the hottest guys from all over the place flying in for these events. Right now, we’ve got the best of the surfers from California, and, we’re starting to see the best of the world surfers , who can really rack up competitive points.

Surfers from where, Figgy?

Well, at Imperial Beach there were people from Portugal, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, England and Australia. ‘Course there were guys from Hawaii, and that’s another surfin’ country for us on the mainland. Don’t forget that Derek Ho of Hawaii took first at Imperial Beach.

The pros have been in contests such as the one in Imperial Beach and the Richie Collins-Byron Scott Drug Use Is Life Abuse contest held at Huntington Beach last week. Coming up are the Brave New World-O’Neill Pro at Seaside near Encinitas from Friday through Sunday, and the Life’s a Beach Open at Oceanside from June 16-20.

Get the sunscreen and chairs ready. It’s gonna be busy.

The world tour then heads for Europe , and the Bud Tour takes a break, Figgy said.

You gotta see Ho surf. Some of his moves are just insane. He’s a real consistent surfer, and recently he got some good long waves and knocked off some good maneuvers. But there are other guys as explosive but on smaller waves, and that includes people like Rob Machado.

Figgy’s high on Machado.

He can turn a two-foot wave into a 9.0 wave (out of a possible 10). He’s known for putting in a bunch of slashing moves on a wave , and it gets the crowd going, too.

Machado is from Laguna Niguel and took second place at Imperial Beach.

I asked Cairns whether these world-class surfers in the ASP (Assn. of Surfing Professionals) enjoy California, where most U.S. Bud Tour contests are held.

“Well, California surf is known for being flat and mushy,” Cairns said. “The waves in Australia and Hawaii, for example, are way, way better than you get here. But, conversely for the Californians, they know how to surf the smaller waves easier.”

Social scene: Preparations are under way for Sunday’s Battle of the Surf Bands, which will feature Jan and Dean, Dick Dale & the Deltones, the Chantays, and other surf bands performing on the football field at Huntington Beach High School. Tickets are $10 for adults; children under 9 get in free. Figgy said his friends thought it was a happening thing last year. Concert is noon till sundown. (Related story, Page 4.)

Fame: Huntington Beach’s Surfing Walk of Fame is still in the idea stage. Figgy says several committees have been selected, including one on criteria for the selection process. For more information, contact the Huntington Beach International Surf Museum at (714) 960-3483.

Contests: Mark Bannister of Australia took first in the Richie Collins-Byron Scott Drug Use is Life Abuse Surf Contest held at Huntington Beach. Rob Machado was second and Dino Andino of San Clemente was third. Joey Hawkins of Huntington Beach was first in longboard competition, and Brian Wise of San Clemente edged out Mike Stewart of Hawaii to take first in bodyboarding.