Student Out-Surfs Teacher as Garcia Wins

It was the past, present and future. At least that’s what the scenario was in the individual surfing finals of the Katin Team Challenge on the south side of the Huntington Beach pier.

For Tom Curren, Sunday’s contest was a blast from the past as the three-time world champion and two-time Katin champion, tried for a third title. But although Curren is something of an icon in the sport, he knew that Sunny Garcia and Shea Lopez--both ranked among the top 10 on the World Tour--and upstart Banning Capps, would put aside their reverence as soon as the championship heat started.

On this day, the teacher was out-surfed by the student as Garcia won the individual title. Lopez, of San Clemente, finished second, Curren third and Banning, from Carlsbad, finished fourth.

Instead of the customary 30-minute final heat, the four surfers had 45 minutes to display their talent. The top three scores made up the final tally. But with conditions deteriorating, it turned into a waiting game as the finalists had to bide their time to catch a decent wave.

As Curren took off his wet suit after the final heat, he expressed disappointment in the conditions.

“There just wasn’t enough waves out there,” he said. “Oh well, I had fun anyway.”

Although waves were scarce, when one did come through, there would generally be two surfers fighting for position. In most cases, it was Garcia who caught the most waves among the four. Curren stayed outside waiting for a wave that would enable him to score well. And he caught just such a wave, late in the heat. He took the wave left and carved it in his patented smooth style that took him into the breakwater.

But for the most part, it was Garcia’s consistency and power that enabled him to take mushy conditions and turn them into a winning score.

“I enjoy surfing Huntington Beach,” said Garcia, who is from Hawaii. “I have lots of friends here and I like surfing Huntington and I always seem to do well here.”

Aside from Sunday’s finish, Curren, 33, said he’s been happy with his surfing the last few months. And has been thinking about taking a shot at getting back on the World Tour.

“I’ve actually been considering maybe giving it a try,” he said. “I have a wife and kid now, and the money is very good. So I might try.”

Said Garcia: “I think Tom is capable of doing whatever he wants to do. And if he wanted to get back on the [World] Tour, I have no doubt he would do great.”

In the team relay championships, Dr. G’s four-man team won the title. The team, named for Ray Gubernick, a Newport Beach chiropractor who treats many surfers, was made up of Todd Miller, Richie Collins, Dave Giddings and Todd Morcon. All are from Newport Beach. Hawaiian Island Creation finished third and Katin was third.

In the high school competition, Encinitas San Dieguito Academy edged Huntington Beach High to win the relay team title. Edison finished third.

The aerial competition was contested under crowed conditions as 20 participants were in the field, all of whom attempted 360s to get as much air as possible. Hawaiian Gavin Sutherland won the contest. Christian Fletcher was second.