SURFING SOAPBOX: Machado soars to the top

Delivered as predicted.

It was 32-year-old Rob Machado, with heaps of professional surfing experience, again vying for this year’s U.S. Open of Surfing title.

This time, he was up against Hawaiian standout Roy Powers, a newcomer, in this year’s finals in good 4-to-5-foot waves.

However, they don’t call the south end sand bar “Machado’s peak” for any other reason than the fact that Machado is almost unbeatable out there on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier.

Except for last year, as he lost a nail-biter in the dying seconds of the final, to an in-form and former three-time world champion Andy Irons.

A year later, it was Machado picking up his third U.S. Open of Surfing title, dominating the event all the way from the trials and into the finals with his lightening fast, rail-to-rail brand of surfing and a sense of style that is now becoming legendary in the sport of surfing.

Perhaps even more impressive is that “Mob” — as he is known to his friends — spent the week at the U.S. Open with Johnny Miller, a young man benefiting from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Machado was trying to fulfill a dream for the youngster who is terminally ill with cancer.

True to form, Machado did just that, as he choked up in giving his victory speech, introducing Johnny to an inspired U.S. Open crowd.

Three U.S. Open titles are impressive. More impressive are athletes such as Machado, who constantly give back to their sport and to those whose dreams they can make come true — as he did for Johnny.

Every sport could use a few more Rob Machados. Lucky for surfing, it has him.

Keep surfing, Johnny.

Peace.