SURFING : Machado’s Waiting Game Backfires

Competing on a moving surface, surfers have to accept what the ocean gives them. And some days, it gives nothing. Ask Rob Machado.

Winner of the Op Pro at Huntington Beach Pier last Sunday, Machado did not catch the waves he needed at the same spot Friday in the third round of the U.S. Open of Surfing, losing to Jeff Deffenbaugh.

Machado, of Cardiff, surfs regularly on the world championship tour and was seeded fourth in the U.S. Open. Deffenbaugh, of Huntington Beach, earned a wild-card invitation to the Op Pro.

Paddling out in 3- to 5-foot surf before noon, Deffenbaugh caught the first wave of the heat.

Machado waited longer for better waves that never came. When he did take off, he showed his power and quickness, but also fell three times.

Deffenbaugh once scored a 7.33. and three times scored in the five-point range. In the final minutes, Machado needed a 5.42 to catch him. Machado caught a wave in the final 10 seconds.

“He could easily have pulled it off,” Deffenbaugh said. “He’s done it many times.”

But this time, even Machado could not execute the needed maneuvers on the small wave.

Kelly Slater, the 1992 world champion, dazzled the crowd with vertical maneuvers, tail slides and slashing turns. His total score of 31.50 was the highest of the day.