She’s Only California Dreamin’ Now

Surfing isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you mention Peru. But don’t tell that to Sophia Mulanovich, who at 14 is the youngest participant in the G-Shock U.S. Open of Surfing.

Mulanovich, who lost in the third round of the overall women’s division to veterans Rochelle Ballard and Kate Skarratt after advancing two rounds Monday, was not happy with her performance. Still, she was glad to be surfing in California again.

“Oh yeah, I like this Huntington Beach,” said Mulanovich, who has been competing for only three years. “I was surfing in a contest last week here and I did OK. But this U.S. Open is my favorite. It’s good before school starts.”

At last year’s U.S. Open, her first trip to compete in the Open, Mulanovich advanced to the quarterfinals in the women’s division.

Although Mulanovich was not pleased with her fourth-place finish in her heat, she was probably more upset that she had to go home.

“I don’t want to go. School will be starting Monday. I’ll be starting eighth grade, and I’m not looking forward to that,” she said. “I want to stay and surf. It’s so cool here.”

At least she’ll be able to stick around to watch her hero Lisa Andersen surf through Sunday.

Andersen finished second behind Australia’s Prue Jeffries to advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinals in the overall division. Andersen will also compete in the Kahlua women’s division, which features the top females on the world tour, and the men’s open.

Other women who advanced to the quarterfinal round were Hawaiians Ballard and Megan Abubo, former World Champion Frieda Zamba of Florida and Australians Kylie Mercer, Skarratt, Neridah Falconer, Serena Brook, Pam Burridge and Belinda Godfrey.

Competition continues today with men’s surfing trials starting at 7 a.m. followed by the first round of the junior pro-am men’s surfing. Among the county participants will be David Pinto of Capistrano Beach and Mike Riley of Huntington Beach.

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Surf’s Up

* What: The G-Shock U.S. Open of Surfing

* Where: Huntington Beach, south of the pier

* When: Today through Sunday. Competition is 7 a.m.-5 p.m. each day except Sunday, when it’s 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

* Today’s schedule: Men’s surfing trials, junior pro-am trials

* Tickets: Free sand and bleacher seating all days of the competition; however, premium stadium seating packages available for Saturday and Sunday.

* Website address: Surflink will provide regular scoring updates and photos during the competition at https://www.surflink.com