Warm water packs the beaches

WET AND WILD WITH ROCKIN FIG

If you haven’t been in the Pacific Ocean yet this summer, you’re

missing it. How about that water temperature? Gee whiz, I can’t

remember water this warm in a long time. Maybe El Nino is in effect,

because 70-degree water is almost like being in Hawaii. Surfers have

been trunking it this last week, feeling loose in the juice. And some

say it wasn’t since the last El Nino that it got this warm for so

long.

We just got a blast of tropical swell action from a storm down

south that went through the window off Mexico that gave us some

rippable conditions. I have to say this though, it’s been packed in

the lineup, crowd central, but the boys are still shredding -- gals

too. This year I’ve seen more women get into the sport and out in the

water, and that’s a good thing.

The H.B. Surf series contest director, and former top 30 in the

world Jeff Deffenbaugh was stoked again with a good turnout and some

nice weather, sunny skies and fun contestable surf, in the 2- to

4-foot plus range for event number three held last weekend at the

Huntington Beach Pier. In the Prime Source Mortgage Pro Expression

Session, top honors went to Huntington Beach hottie Jay “Late Night”

Larson who was busting big-time to take the cash purse. Other rippers

in it were San Clemente’s Chris Drummy, Newport’s Ritchie Collins,

Seal Beach’s Ryan Simmons and Huntington’s Brandon Gilmette, Wyatt

Simmons and Tom Rezvan. That heat, no doubt, was a little tune-up for

the U.S. Open of Surfing coming up at the end of the month on the

south side of the pier, and those guys are in it for the hot local

talent.

Some other winners of their prospective divisions included;

Newport’s Andrew Doheny winning the super grom division, in boys,

Brighton Brandenburger was the champ. Transplant from South Africa

Dita Sariavo won in juniors, while in mens Matt Daniels took the

victory. Big Mikey Mattison bashed some sections to take masters. In

grand masters, two wins in a row for Richard Payne who’s been

shredding, and the style master Justin Hugron took long boarding.

Down south at Imperial Beach, some of the top surfers in the

nation were ripping the lefts off the pier there at the Professional

Surfing Tour of America surf contest. In the pro short board final,

Malibu’s Anthony Petruso took the decision over former U.S. champ

from San Clemente Dino Andino. Hawaiian Dustin Barca was third and

Layne Harrison fourth. See ya out there.

* RICK FIGNETTI is an eight-time West Coast champion, has

announced the U.S. Open of Surfing the last nine years. . You can

reach him at (714) 536-1058.