He Lets Surfing Do the Talking

Mystery man Neco Padaratz continued to astound competitors and spectators alike as he maintained his hot streak Saturday and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Gotcha Pro in Huntington Beach.

Padaratz, who does a disappearing act after heats and declines to speak to reporters, has become a focus of the contest as one of the two wild-card entries left in the event.

Six-time world champion Kelly Slater, who also won his heat Saturday, is the other.

Brazil’s Kaipo Jaquias, who was eliminated Thursday, and Tom Curren of Santa Barbara, who was defeated Saturday, were the other two wild cards.

Slater, Curren and Jaquias were invited by the Assn. of Surfing Professionals to the Gotcha Pro, but Padaratz had to surf his way into the contest with his third-place finish last week in the U.S. Open.

Although Padaratz’s feats in the ocean speak for themselves, not much is known about the surfer.

These are the facts so far: A former World Championship Tour surfer, Padaratz left the tour last year because of what he called personal problems. He has apparently gotten over his problems, and is now trying to requalify for the tour.

He’s clearly well on his way. Thursday he knocked top-ranked Mark Occhilupo of Australia out of the contest. On Friday he beat Australian Michael Campbell and Saturday defeated countryman Renan Rocha.

Against Rocha, Padaratz was dazzling as he carved the waves, providing some breathtaking maneuvers. He received the day’s best wave score with a 9.0.

According to Peter Townend of Rusty, which is Padaratz’s sponsor, the Brazilian spent some time attending Edison High in Huntington Beach in the early 1990s as a foreign exchange student. While there, Padaratz, like his older brother, Flavio, did in the late 80s, surfed for the Charger surf team.

“He’s very familiar with Huntington Beach,” said Townend, noting that the Chargers used to practice every day on the south side of the pier.

And about his behavior?

“He can be a little different,” said Townend. “But he’s really a smart kid and he’s very articulate.”

Ranked 10th on the WCT before he left, Padaratz was just starting to make a move up the list, when he left, Cairns said.

“He actually learned to surf in conditions very much like Huntington Beach,” said Ian Cairns, the contest organizer. “But I’m really stoked to see him back. He’s very exciting to watch. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he made it to the finals.”

Now that he’s back, Padaratz has been turning heads and banging on the door of the WCT.

Padaratz will surf against Australian Michael Lowe today in the quarterfinals.

Notes

Shea Lopez of Dana Point beat Taj Burrow of Australia, 20.35-16.60 to advance. Lopez, who won last week’s U.S. Open, said a back-to-back win is not out of the question: “My goal is to win every contest I enter. . . . I don’t like to lose.” Tom Curren, 36, could not hold off youth, as Brazilian Victor Ribas, 24, edged him, 20.85-19.60. Ribas said the victory was more than just another win. “I’ve idolized Tom Curren since I was a kid,” Ribas said. “I wished him good luck before we surfed.” Ribas surfs against Australian Nathan Webster. It’s as if Kelly Slater never left the tour as he dominated Todd Prestage of Australia Saturday to win his heat, 24.10-10.0. Scoring an 8.50, one of the top scores of the day, Slater’s surfing seemed effortless in the four- to five-foot waves. “You don’t want to peak too early,” Slater said. “I like to build on my scores as the contest goes on.” Sunny Garcia also advanced Saturday, beating Armando Dalto of Brazil, 18.85-17.40.

Surfing

* What: Gotcha Pro

* When: Today

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

* Basics: The mainland’s only World Championship Tour event features the world’s top 44 men and top 15 women professional surfers in a double-elimination format.

* Today’s schedule: 9 a.m.-10:40 a.m.--men’s quarterfinals; 10:40-11:05 a.m.--Menehune exhibition; 11:05-11:55 a.m.--men’s semifinals; 11:55 a.m.-12:25 p.m.--longboard nose ride; 12:25-12:55 p.m.--aerial expression session; 1:25-1:55 p.m.--men’s finals; 2:15 p.m.--awards.

* Other activities: An outdoor festival and exhibit that will include board-shaping demonstrations, surf-related products and displays and other beach activities.

* Admission: Free

* Parking: Available at the city parking structure one block from Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

* Web site: https://www.gotcha.com

* Information: (714) 593-9834