The word in waves is ‘big’

WET AND WILD WITH ROCKIN FIG

Rolling right along. 2002 is almost over. Christmas is a week

away.

Who knows? With all the hustle and bustle, you might not have even

had the time to get out there in the lineup.

For you big wave riders, I know you’re happy because Surf City

beaches have been mackin’.

It’s been big lately -- we’re talking even some double overhead

sets on some of the days. The north end of Bolsa, through the Cliffs,

to the Pier and south to River Jetties all picking the swell up

pretty good.

The National Scholastic Surfing Assn.’s Open Season has been

stoked with the waves its been getting. The last double AA-rated

event at Seaside Reef scored some overhead surf.

Huntington Beach High terror Brett Simpson has been on a roll in

the highly competitive men’s division. Simpson tore Seaside up

winning there, and he’s had two other victories this season. He’s

holding a commanding lead in the ratings.

Seal Beach’s Chris Waring placed second in juniors with some great

rides. In boys, Newport’s Ford Archibald has been unbeatable lately,

with three wins in a row. And having a perfect season thus far is

Newport’s Andrew Doheny, who has five wins in a row and is

undefeated. Huntington Beach’s Jessie Steelman is holding down second

in the ratings, having some great heats too. In longboarding

Huntington’s Justin Hugron had a good run, winning it. He’s currently

third overall.

In women’s, Erica Hoisseini took the win at Seaside and is holding

down first position. Congrats.

Over on Maui, the Billabong Pro for the women concluded with

Brazilian Jaqueline Silva striking her first win on the Championship

Tour. Silva had a couple of eight-point-plus rides in the final.

Second was Australian veteran Pauline Menczer, who is the overall

World Qualifying Series points winner.

Equal thirds were Kauiian Rochell Ballard and South African

Heather Clark. Australian Layne Beachly grabbed another World Title,

making it five, the new record, surpassing Lisa Anderson and her

four, even though she lost in an early round.

At the X-Box Gerry Lopez Pipeline Masters for the men on the North

Shore, the two wildcards were Californian Rob Machado, a former

winner and No. 2 in the world standings a few years back, and

Hawaiian standout Brian Pacheco.

The surf at Pipe was insane from the start, with 6- to 12-foot

barrels. Kelly Slater, six-time world champ, was the standout of the

first round.

* RICK FIGNETTI is a seven-time West Coast champion, has

announced the U.S. Open of Surfing the last nine years and has been

the KROQ-FM surfologist for the last 17 years, doing morning surf

reports. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at

(714) 536-1058.