Wet and Wild with Rockin’ Fig

It wasn’t hard to find these guys. Their office -- orclass -- is right

on the shores of the south side of theHuntington Pier. Coaches Andy

Verdone and BarryDeffenbaugh were leaning up against a lifeguard

tower,checking out the talent on this years Oiler surf team.

The surf at the time of this interview was 3- to 5-foot-plus and kinda

going off with some jammin’ lefts. They were scorin’ some intrasquad

heats, videotaping some of the sess’ and offering some advice to the

surfers as they came in, critiquement. And from what I saw, it looks

pretty good for the new 2001-02 season.

But the real reason I wanted to chat with these two was they just got

back from Ireland, from the town of Bundoran, and here’s what they had to

say.

It’s a beautiful country with a rugged coastline, fullof points and

rocky reefs, and full of potential for surf. The weather was kinda

variable, anywhere from a warm 80 degrees to a cooler 50 in the summer

time.

The water was a little chilly, 57 degrees, so definitely a full suit.

The coaches and team stayed attwo Irish beach cottages, and this whole

trip was planned right at the same time of the Assn. of Surfing

Professional’s MastersWorld Titles going on. Peter Townend, a former

worldchamp who lives in Huntington, surfed in the eventand helped

coordinate the efforts too.

One of the highlights of the trip was the day before the contest, when

it was 4- to 6-foot and perfect at the spot called the Peak. All the

former top pros and legends were out: Hawaii’s Derek and Michael Ho;

Australia’s Gary Elkerton; “Mr. X,” Glenn Winton; and U.S. former world

champ Tom Curren. Everybody was ripping, B.D. said.

A stoked Willie Safreed, one of the Huntington Beach surf team members

who went, was running by after a heat and said the Peak is kinda like

Seaside Reef, but even better. The lefts were top to bottom, way longer

and barreling.

Verdone said in one sess’ he was out with five previous world champs

at one time: P.T., Mark Richards, Rabbit Bartholomew, Barton Lynch and

Martin Potter, guys he idolized as a kid growing up, and they were stoked

too -- on the surf, the team and cultural exchange program.

It was tough to say who got the best barrels. B.D. actually got some

props from the Ho brothers, who said it’s lucky he’s 29 and too young to

be in the contest, because he’s been shralping it up big time. You have

to be at least 35 to be in the Masters.

Some of the other Huntington Beach surfers who went included Shaun

Ward; Brandon Guilmette; Brad Ettinger; Sean Rios, the backside barrel

man; and the Rhino, Brian Paullins.

P.T. added that it was unreal, but booties are a must for the walk

over the reef because it’ll shred your feet if you don’t.

So the waves were good, the hospitality was great by the local people,

and the food wasn’t bad either -- Irish delicacies, with a lot of meals

having potatoes in them. But if you go, respect the locals.

There’s not that many surfers, but if you show up with an attitude

they’ll shut you down -- show ‘em some love and they’ll take care of you.

On a final note, Verdone said they flew right over the World Trade

Center on the way home, which was a pristine marker in New York, and now

it’s rubble.

The whole team’s sad for the victims and their families. Our prayers

go out to them, he said. The same from the Figster too.

At the Huntington Beach Pro-Am series over the weekend at the Pier,

taking his first final after making them numerous times, was Surf City’s

Mike Hoisington, cashing in on $1,000.

Hoisington now moves to second in the overall points totals to Jeff

Deffenbaugh. Second in the event was San Clemente’s Chris Drummy, who had

some nice exchanges too. Adam Virs took third, and Dr. Doonan fourth.

Seal Beach’s Chris Waring took top honors in Boys’ and Juniors’, while

Men’s was won by Craig Butcher. Master blaster was Jason Haughey, and

Longboarding was won by Rocky Mckinnon. The final stop, and championships

are scheduled for Oct. 27-28 at 1st Street. A double-rated event,all

divisions, and air show too, with Cabo trips going to the overall points

leaders. Wow! See ya.

* RICK FIGNETTI is a six-time West Coast champion, has announced the

U.S. Open of Surfing the last eight years and, for the last 15 years, has

been the surfologist for KROQ-FM, where he’s done morning surf reports.

He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.