School’s out, surfs up, so are surfers

RIC FIGNETTI

Summer’s here, so embrace yourself for the next couple months, cause

it’s gonna get pretty crowded in Surf City.

It seems there’s already been less June gloom than usual. I like

that -- its probably because that sea breeze has been holding so

steady. I’d like to see a few glassier days. I can’t believe the

water temperatures. Upper 60s. How nice. I can remember some years at

the start of summer when it was freezing.

Hopefully, I won’t jinx us by saying anything. The local schools

are out this week. The beaches are the place to be, with that, sun

and surf.

The Queen of Surf, all-women surf contest had some pretty fun,

waist-to-head-high-plus waves down at Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach,

San Diego over the weekend. Hot up-and-coming Hawaiian, Melanie

Bartels, was slashing it up on the lefts, with a solid backside

attack to take the win and a check for $3,500 dollars. Close behind

was World Tour veteran Kealla Kennelly of Kaui, who was runner up in

the championship-tour standings last season. Kennelly was ripping it

up, too, but came in a close second, pocketing $2,200 dollars. South

Africa’s Heather Clark caught some nice ones to finish third, and

rounding out the international final, in fourth, was Jessie

Miley-Dyer of Australia. We should see those gals here in Huntington

Beach at the end of July for the U.S. Open on the south side of the

Huntington Beach Pier. In the amateur divisions, Amy Chives took open

shortboard while Kassia Meader won longboarding. In the 13-15 age

group, the Princess Division, it was Co Co Ho winning it and little

Courtney Cenlogue taking the Mermaid, 12-and-under class.

The sport of women’s surfing is growing really fast these days.

The top amateurs in the nation are starting to show up, getting

ready for the National Scholastic Surfing Assn.’s National

Championships coming up next week at Lower’s in San Clemente -- the

prime southwest point break on the California coastline located on

the military base Camp Pendleton. It picks up the south swells that

are starting to rumble this time of year quite well.

Maximum size, drawing the swell and the rock-bottom reef, sets up

for long rippable rights, with speed sections and a shorter, steeper,

hollower left that’s killer, too. It’s a perfect showcase to rack off

the maneuvers with the style and grace that the judges are looking

for.

So, national titles are on the line for all age groups of men and

women. Plus, high schools, colleges and middle schools are looking to

bring home the big trophies. Quite a few of our surfers from right

here, Surf City, have a shot at it. Good luck and have fun! That’s it

for now. See ya.

* RICK FIGNETTI is a nine-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 18 years, doing morning surf

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

(714) 536-1058.