WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

The new Western Surfing Assn.’s Prime Surf Tour has gained popularity really fast.

Participants have hopes of doing well in the U.S. Champion- ships this summer in Huntington Beach and possibly being picked for Team U.S.A. for International competitions. They’ve run a few invitation-only events for 112 surfers.

Some local surfers are doing quite well. At Church’s in San Clemente, in the boys 14 and under, Kanoa Igarashi took the win. In boys 16 and under, Taylor Thorne took the victory and brother Jared placed third. In boys 18 and under, nobody could stop the air blaster, Dane Zaun of Holly Glen, and Newport’s Chase Wilson came in third position. Gals 16 and under saw Huntington Beach’s Anise Guzman place second in close one and in gals 18 and under Courtney Conlogue won, with an almost nine score for some big snaps.

Next up was Oceanside in December where Igarashi again took the win averaging eights a wave, for vertical hits, tail slides, and some nice roundos too. Boys 16 and under was taken by local Derek Peters, doing some power surfing. In boys 18 and under Christian Saenz placed second after winning all his heats prior to the final. Another win for Conlogue in gals 18 and under and also Guzman throws a big lipper in that final to take gals 16 and under. The chilly waters of Steamer Lane Santa Cruz saw 6- to 10-foot surf going off. San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino took the big win in boys 16 and under. Saenz made the final placing third on some good-size sets. And making it three for three, Conlogue nails a perfect 10-point ride, bashing a right off the slot all the way to indicator in perfect form to close out a killer contest.

At the regular WSA’s in micro groms, Newport Beach’s Tyler Gunter has four wins for the 9 and unders. Newport Beach’s Meah Collins, daughter of Richie Collins a hot pro surfer, it looks like it runs in the family as Meah’s No. 1 in gals 12 and under and 14 and under. In girls 18 and under, Huntington’s Tess Lustbaum is sixth in the ratings with a win up north. In gals 18 and over, Mary Setterholm, who runs the surf school by the pier, is fourth. Boy’s 16 and under has Tony Morelli in fifth position.

In men’s, Surf City’s Matt Taylor is also fifth overall with a win at San-O. In seniors, Troy Bertrand is sixth in the ratings and has a couple seconds. In legends, yours truly is in first, with a win at Ventura and a couple second placings. The schedule is: March 8 at the Huntington Pier; last weekend’s rainout at S.C. pier is rescheduled for March 28 and 29 at Golden West Street; April 5 Salt Creek, April 26 Steamer Lane, and May 9 and 10 Church’s for the West Coast Championships.

Wow, a foot of new snow in our local mountains, it’s powder city.

Fig over and out.

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.