gentlemen, in the water

Mike Sciacca

A great mix of world-wide athletes and local talent has created what

U.S. Open of Surfing officials are calling the most competitive men’s

field in the 45-year history of the event.

There are 272 entries in the men’s draw, including 13 of the

world’s top 16 and 85 of the top 100 on the World Qualifying Series.

In addition, a record 136 men are listed as alternates.

Defending men’s champion Cory Lopez of Florida is back to try for

a repeat, but he’ll find the competition tough. The challenge will

come from several local surfers, among the group, Timmy Reyes, Danny

Nichols and Brett Simpson, as well as former world champions Andy

Irons of Hawaii, Kelly Slater of Florida, C.J. Hobgood of Florida,

Aussie Mark Occhilupo -- who is being inducted Friday into the

Surfers’ Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach -- Derek Ho of Hawaii and

California’s Tom Curren.

A look at a few of the local athletes competing in the U.S. Open

of Surfing men’s division:

Danny Nichols

Age: 24

Hometown: Huntington Beach

High school: Huntington Beach

Years as a professional surfer: Six

The lowdown: After only eight years on a short board, Nichols is

able to use his size to deliver powerful and stylish surfing. He is a

few years into his pro career and has earned himself a great

reputation throughout the surf industry. He is rated and seeded

195th for this week’s U.S. Open of Surfing men’s competition.

World ranking: “I haven’t really been focused on the world tour

the last few years. Instead, I really tried to market myself through

the magazines by going on photo trips around the world, and trying to

get footage in my friends’ surf films.”

Career highlights: “Last year I was Pro Surfing Tour of America

champion. It was a smaller regional tour, but still competitive. I

placed fourth in the 1997 Pro Junior at the U.S. Open in a pretty

stacked heat: Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, C.J. Hobgood and myself.”

Years competing at the U.S. Open of Surfing: “This will be my

seventh.”

Best finish: “Well as you know, there are about 10 trial rounds

before the main event, and every round is stacked. The most heats

I’ve made is six, and I still didn’t make the main. But I’m getting

close.”

What makes the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach so special? “To me, I

have a chance to compete with the best surfers in the world on my

home turf. That really gives me a lot of confidence. If I can beat

them here, then I know I can beat them on the road. Also Huntington

Beach is the mecca of our industry, and everyone in the world comes

here to watch what’s going on. Local merchants as well the two major

surf shops, Huntington Surf and Sport and Jack’s Surfboards, really

benefit the crowds. I love it.”

Is the caliber of world competitors getting better each year? “Yes

and the reason why is because more and more professional surfers are

training like real athletes. They’re realizing that you can’t just

surf anymore you really have to train.”

Where would you like to see professional surfing go from where it

stands now? “Well if you’re familiar with professional surfing, then

you know that the World Championship Tour is the best tour in the

world, mainly because of where the tour goes. They get to compete at

world class surf breaks around the world. It’s just a pain to get on

to. It’s very complicated, but basically only eight out of 150 worthy

competitors make it each year. Those eight come from the World

Qualifying Series that has about 600 or more competitors traveling

the world surfing horrible waves trying to make it. I would love to

see a change, and people are trying, so we’ll see what happens.”

How often are you traveling world-wide for competitions? “Not that

much right now, maybe three or four months out of the year. Hopefully

next year I’ll be able to put together a strong campaign and really

do some damage.”

Final thoughts: “Try to enjoy the moment. Yesterday’s history and

tomorrow’s a mystery. Life is so short so it’s really important to

enjoy now. Simplify things. One love -- one world -- peace out!”

Timmy Reyes

Age: 22

Hometown: Huntington Beach

High school: Edison

The lowdown: One of O’Neill’s team riders, Reyes has won several

National Scholastic Surfing Assn. high school championships and

placed impressively high during his first year of competing with the

pros on the World Qualifying Series tour. At the 2002 Newcastle Pro

event in Australia, Reyes placed seventh among the world surfing

champions. Earlier this year, he participated in the first-ever

National Surfing League’s “California Cup,” competing on the Orange

County team. He was compared to the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and

considered Orange County’s “go to guy” during the tournament. Reyes

received the National Surfing League’s MVP award for his outstanding

participation and support. He is rated 56th on the WQS tour and is

seeded 58th for this week’s U.S. Open of Surfing men’s competition.