Wet and Wild with Rockin’ Fig:Sunset contest closes out

Over on the North Shore the first part of the week they finished off the 2006 Xcel Pro at Sunset Beach in some four- to eight-foot-plus surf off the point.

There were some solid rights that were bowling for the finals as Kauai’s 22-year-old Evan Valiere made a come from behind victory in the last five minutes to pull out a squeaker.

Valiere found a hollow right, grabbed a rail and pig-dogged a barrel through the hollow section, then popped out and hit a couple nice cutbacks to outdistance San Clemente’s transplant to Hawaii, Gavin Beschen, who was ripping too and got a few shacks. Valiere won 15.83 to 15.50.

Third was Tahiti’s Michael Bourez, who logged some tube time and was racking the heat wins throughout the event. Fourth was big-wave standout Makua Rothman.

Losing out in the semis were South African Jody Smith, just off the win at the I.S.A. World Games in Surf City a week ago; Gavin’s brother Shane Beschen, a former runner-up in the world a few years back; the Big Island’s Myles Padaca, who scored a perfect 10 in the semis and still missed the advancement; and hot local T.J. Barron, who was blowing up too.

Former winners over the years include Derek and Michael Ho; Sunny Garcia; Andy Irons; Pancho Sullivan; and Freddy Boy Pattachia.

Down south in Brazil at the A.S.P. Championship Tour, the Nova Schin Surf Festival is up to round three. They’ve been on hold a few days, with some stormy conditions that include rain squalls, some variable winds and two- to three-foot surf.

Taking some heat wins thus far are the U.S.’s Bobby Martinez, C.J. and Damien Hobgood and Cory Lopez; and Aussies Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Mick Fanning.

Losing out in some early upsets were three-time world champ Andy Irons; top 10 standout Taylor Knox; the air-bustin’ Chris Ward; and Australian Dean Morrison.

It looks like the injury to H.B.’s Timmy Reyes is worse than expected. His blown-out knee probably will need surgery. So Reyes is out for the rest of the season, not being able to surf the last tour event at Pipe either. The good news is he’s rated No. 11 in the ratings and should hold on to a top 20 position for next year’s seedings even after missing the last two events. He should be ready for the start of next season.

The N.S.S.A. season is in full swing. Here’s an update at almost the half way point of the season with our local surfers. In the big-time open season O.C.’s Courtney Conlogue won the first H.B. event and is second in the ratings. In open mini-groms, Huntington’s Kanoa Igarashi is on fire winning three in a row for a solid first in the standings, while in men’s H.B.’s Logan Strook placed second at the first contest and is third in the overall standings.

Newport’s Andrew Doheny won the first open junior event, holding second overall there and is first in the explorer juniors ratings too. In the open boy’s ratings, Kanoa and Johnny Elles are currently third and fourth respectively. Elles is also No. 1 in explorer menehunes.

Huntington’s Sara Taylor has been going off, taking wins at H.B. and Ponto and is numero uno in explorer women’s and the Figster is holding down third overall in the super senior standings with three third places in a row.

The weather and surf can’t get much better than it’s been: 70s-plus air temps and three- to five-foot plus good waves!

Yeah now. That’s it for now see ya, Fig over and out.