Tidal teamwork

Mike Sciacca

The surfing talent gathered on the south side of the Huntington Beach

Pier Monday morning was staggering.

Mike Todd and several other professionals, took their turns out in

the water.

Others, including local Bron Heussenstamm, had already tested the

surf and took time to catch up with their peers.

“We’re all friends, so it’s pretty cool for all of us to come

together like this,” said Heussenstamm, 24, a 1997 graduate of Laguna

Beach High. “There’s a lot of talent out here, that’s for sure.”

What was even more awe inspiring was the fact they were practicing

to compete as a team in a sport known for its individualism.

Fifteen of the 16 members of Team Orange County were in Huntington

Beach for a “wet run,” in preparation for a three-day competition at

the pier this weekend.

The Hurley Game Weekend is one of four regular season Game

Weekends in the National Surf League’s California Cup.

The California Cup consists of four consecutive regular season

Game Weekends, pairing four teams composed of the region’s best

surfers from Orange County, San Diego, Santa Cruz and Ventura,

against each other.

Following the Hurley Game Weekend in Surf City, the California Cup

moves to Ventura for the Quiksilver Game Weekend, Santa Cruz for the

Billabong Game Weekend and concludes in San Diego with the O’Neill

Game Weekend.

The championship game weekend will be held June 4-6 at the

hometown break of the team leading in the standings at the regular

season’s end.

The weekend competition, which begins at 9 a.m. each day, marks

the debut of the National Surf League, developed by Brad

GerlachGerlach, a former world No. 2, put a twist on the usually

individual sport of surfing with his revolutionary team concept, The

Game, which debuted last summer at the pier as part of the X-Games.

The team competition drew praise from surfers and fans.

“Brad actually began to form this idea almost 12 years ago,” said

Jeff Cutler, vice president of, The Game, and one of three partners

in the National Surf League Inc. “We’re excited to launch this league

and next year, we will open Hawaiian and East Coast divisions.”

Todd likes the idea of the team concept and expects the league to

be a hit with surfers and fans, alike.

“So far, I think it’s been taken really well by the surfers and

the people behind the league have done such a great job in getting

great support,” said Todd, 22, a 1999 graduate of Laguna Beach High.

“The television deals have opened up the spectrum and let people in

on an event like this. Those who do come out to see the event, will

see some pretty awesome talents.”

ESPN 2 will cover the competition.

“I look around here today and see plenty of smiles,” Todd said,

after returning from surfing. “It’s great to surf with 15 people who

you know and consider friends. Even though we’re competing against

some of the best surfers around, at the end of the competition, we’ll

all shake hands and become friends, once again.”

Each three-day event consists of two teams squaring off in a

three-hour long, four-quarter battle similar to traditional sporting

events. Each team features 10 competitors -- eight starters and two

substitutes -- with head, assistant and in-water coaches.

All team members compete during each quarter, getting scored on

their best two waves. Team scores are totaled for a final result.

Included among the star-studded roster of surfers competing this

weekend include Rob Machado, Taylor Knox and Dean Randazzo of Team

San Diego, Tom Curren, Dane Reynolds and Bobby Martinez of Team

Ventura and Jason Collins, Kieran Horn and Adam Repogle of Team Santa

Cruz.

The teams will compete in three “home” and “away” games during the

course of the month-long regular season.

“Current professional surfing is great for people who understand

how it works,” Gerlach said. “However, most people have no idea

what’s happening while watching a contest. Our goal is to bring the

excitement of pro surfing back to the communities, so the fans can

give the sport the entertainment value it needs to grow, and give the

surfers the support they deserve.”

Team Orange County is Todd, Heussenstamm, O’Connell, Timmy Reyes,

Jay Larson, Danny Nichols, Brett Simpson, Mike Hoisington, Chris

Ward, Mike Losness, Nate Yeomens, Dino Andino -- who also will serve

as assistant coach -- Shaun Ward, Pat Gudauskas, Chris Drummy, Ryan

Simmons and head coach Mike Parsons.