Mellem Advances to Championship Round

Travis Mellem of San Clemente could only smile at the comments made by a passing surfer.

“This guy ripped,” yelled another competitor.

Mellem had just advanced to the quarterfinals at the United States Surfing Federation Western Regional Championships at the Huntington Beach Pier Saturday.

Surfing in the 13-14 open boys’ division, Mellem went on to win his semifinal heat and will surf in the championship final today.

“It was really nice [Saturday] morning. I was going right and left, cutting as much as I could on the wave,” said Mellem, who had the highest score of the day in his age group. “I’m the defending champion and I want to win. I’ll have competition, but I think I’ll be OK.”

Mellem joined about 150 other surfers in the first day of the contest, which includes 26 other divisions in shortboard, longboard, bodyboarding and kneeboarding. The two top qualifiers in each division advance to the USSF National Championships next month in Oceanside.

Patrick Drummy of San Clemente was competing in the men’s open division. He also advanced to today’s final.

“I do this just because I love it,” said Drummy, whose mother, Mary Lou, is the coordinator for the USSF Western Region. “This is the first time I’ve competed since I broke my ankle six months ago and I feel really good.”

The senior men’s open, which includes defending champion Rick Fignetti, a local favorite, begins today. Also competing will be former world champion Peter Townend in the Grand Master’s Division.

Competition begins at 7 a.m.