Andersen Shows She Can Hang With Boys at Surf Event

Women’s world surfing champion Lisa Andersen of Ormond, Fla., made surfing history Saturday on the third of four days at the 18th Katin Team Challenge at the Huntington Beach Pier.

Andersen made good on her threat to surf directly against the men, taking out several highly regarded competitors. In what is believed to be the first time a woman surfer has competed in a major pro surfing event, Andersen made it as far as Round 6 before being eliminated.

But it was three-time world champion Tom Curren of Santa Barbara who stole the show. Curren, 34, came out of semi-retirement to compete in the Katin and was the day’s dominant force and crowd favorite, winning his semifinal heat.

Joining Curren in the final are Banning Capps of San Diego, Sunny Garcia of Hawaii and Shea Lopez of Florida.

Newport Beach surfer Todd Miller advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.