Free Expression Works for Beachley

Layne Beachley was not happy with her surfing during Saturday’s semifinal heat in the women’s division of the Op Pro.

So when she had the chance to enter the Expression Session before the women’s final, she jumped at the chance.

“I wish I had an Expression Session before every final,” Beachley, of Australia, told the crowd after she defeated Rochelle Ballard of Hawaii, 21.25 to 14.25, in the one-on-one championship final in Huntington Beach.

The Expression Session, a free-form event in which judges score points on radical maneuvers rather than traditional surfing maneuvers, is a 30-minute, no-rule contest.

“I surfed terrible in the semifinals. So I saw the Expression Session as more of a chance to get a good warmup before I surfed the finals,” said Beachley, who also won the women’s Expression Session. “I also saw it as a way to get familiar with the conditions, which had changed from this morning.”

It was a frustrating final for Ballard.

“I lost my concentration out there, which makes me mad since I have been doing really good the entire contest,” Ballard said. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay in that zone.”

While Ballard was disappointed with Saturday’s finish, she was happy to hear that she had jumped two places to second in the World Championship Tour rankings.

“I’ve been having a good year,” Ballard said. “But Layne has been having a winning year. And there’s not much you can do about that. I’d be very happy, though, to be a runner-up this year.”

Beachley has just about locked up the women’s world title. She just needs a few more points, which she will likely get in the next WCT event in France.

“I know I’m supposed to have this locked up, but I won’t feel good about it until I surf Hossegor [France],” Beachley said.

In the men’s fourth round, San Clemente’s Shane Beschen, ranked second on the world tour, took advantage of Kalani Robb’s mistakes to win, 23.00 to 17.50. Robb looked inspired when he caught his first wave Saturday, but fell at the end of the wave. Robb, from Hawaii, never recovered.

“I was really up for that heat. Maybe too much,” Robb said. “I was trying too hard to make those cuts and I started to rush things.”

Beschen, who will face Michael Campbell of Australia in the quarterfinals today, said he has been taking it easy after each heat. “I’m just resting after I surf and get focused on the next heat,” he said.

Pat O’Connell of Laguna Beach once again came from behind to win his heat and advance to the quarterfinals. O’Connell edged Tim Curran of Oxnard, 21.25 to 20.55, catching his winning wave with two minutes left.

“I’m so stoked,” O’Connell said repeatedly after his heat. “I really felt good in that heat. Curran is one of the ASP’s up-and-coming surfers, and he’s been surfing really good these last few weeks. A lot of people didn’t think I could win that heat. I’m the underdog in this contest. But that’s OK.”

O’Connell will surf against Danny Wills, who beat Hawaiian Kaipo Jaquias in one of the most competitive heats of the day.

A possible sibling matchup in the semifinals between San Clemente brothers Cory and Shea Lopez disintegrated when they both were eliminated in the fourth round.

Shane Dorian of Australia dominated younger brother Cory, winning 22.35 to 12.98. Dorian will meet defending champion Kelly Slater, who beat Damien Hardman of Australia in the fourth round.

Hawaii’s John Shimooka, with the help from a 8.50 wave score, beat Shea Lopez, 22.00 to 17.90.

Andy Irons, who won the U.S. Open last week, continued his excellent surfing as he beat Australia’s Todd Prestage, 21.25 to 18.50.

“I think I’m doing so good because I’m not worried,” Irons said. “After I won last week, and getting the chance to surf this week, I’m just taking it as it comes. If I advance it’s cool. If not, it’s also cool.”

Irons will surf against Shimooka.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

* What: Op Pro

* When: Today

* Where: South side of the Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street

* Basics: The 17th annual contest is the only U.S. stop on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour. Today’s competition features the remaining eight men, shooting for the $15,000 first prize.

* Today’s schedule: 9-10:40 a.m.--men’s quarterfinals, heats 1-4; 10:40-11:05--menehune exhibition; 11:05-11:55--men’s surfing semifinals, heats 1-2; 12:25-12:55 p.m.--longboard nose-ride exhibition; 1:25-1:55--men’s surfing final; 2:15--awards.

* Admission: Free

* Parking: Paid parking in lots by the pier and in the downtown area.

* Information: (888) 672-6737, Ext. 224

* Web site: https://www.surflink.com Surfing Contest