SURFING : S.D. Area Surfers Make Some Waves

Two San Dieguito High graduates found conditions at the $35,000 Body Glove Memorial Weekend surfing classic a bit harsh--choppy two and three-foot waves are not exactly a surfer’s delight.

But while the conditions were not on Colin Smith and Trevor Christ’s side, the five judges were.

After a set of steady but unspectacular rides, Smith waited nervously for the judges to decide his fate. After 30 minutes, the public address announcer notified Smith he had advanced into Monday’s round of 16 after finishing in a tie with Charlie Kuhn of Indian Harbour, Fla.

“I didn’t think I made it, truthfully,” said Smith, whose best finish this season is ninth in Hawaii. “I thought I could have done a lot more out there. That makes me fired up for (Monday).”

Smith admitted luck played a part in his round.

“With the waves being so small, you just have to paddle around and hope you catch the right one,” he said. “It’s always going to be close when the conditions are like this, because nobody is going to get on a real good wave.

Christ, the 1987 Bud Pro Surfing Tour rookie of the year, was second in his first heat and advanced to the round of 16, where he failed to qualify for the quarterfinals. He finished third, behind Dino Andino and Richie Collins, two surfers who now are ranked in the tour’s top-16.

After his first heat, Christ complimented the judges on their decision.

“I think they have been pretty fair lately, including today,” Christ said.

But Christ, 22, says he has not always been on the best of terms with judges.

“I won two events (Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach) in 1987 before the judges knew who I was,” Christ said. “But after that, it seemed like they were really hard on me.”

Christ finished 1987 ranked seventh on the tour. After three events this season, Christ is ranked 20th.

Smith, 21, says he’s learned to deal with the judges by ignoring them.

“I used to get hung up on what kind of scores they were giving me,” Smith said. “But I know I can’t do anything about it. All I can do is go out and surf.”

Smith and Christ grew up surfing together at Seaside in Encinitas. They credit much of their success to the waves at Seaside.

“We have good reef breaks and we get our share of good waves,” Smith said. “I think it prepared us well.”

Surfing begins this morning at 7:30, with the finals scheduled for 2:15.