Looking to hang 100K

The much-talked about $100,000 grand prize for the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing men’s champion will be doled out this weekend at the Huntington Beach Pier.

And there’s at least one Huntington Beach local who would love to take home that grand prize, the biggest in the history of the sport and up from $15,000 last year.

“It’s a huge step in our sport,” Brett Simpson said in an e-mail from Brazil, where he was competing in a tournament through Monday before heading back to Huntington Beach. “I believe that the winnings in contests these days are a bit low and it’s an awesome sign of what’s to come in the sport of surfing!”

Simpson, ranked ninth in the World Qualifying Series rankings, will surf again at the U.S. Open this morning, in the Round of 48. He won his heat in the Round of 96 Tuesday. Brad Ettinger of Huntington Beach is also still in contention.

To win the men’s title in the finals, scheduled for 12:40 p.m. Sunday, they’ll have to go against not only WQS opponents, but surfers already on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals World tour who have been perhaps lured by the big payday, including nine-time world champion Kelly Slater, C.J. Hobgood of Florida and Adriano de Souza of Brazil. Hobgood and de Souza rank second and third, respectively, in the ASP World Tour rankings for 2009.

Simpson ended up finishing fifth in Brazil, which he said was his third-best result to date.

“I’m feeling great,” said Simpson, who finished tied for third at last year’s U.S. Open, in the e-mail. “I’m just coming off a bit of a sprained ankle I [hurt] a few weeks ago, so I came over here with a bit of a question as to if I can still compete. [But] it didn’t faze me too much as I got a fifth and a ninth! So I definitely know I can compete and now it’s just about executing some heats right at my home break!

“I’d have to say there is a bit of pressure!” he added about competing at his home break. “Can’t really steer away from that but just try and use it to your advantage. I know the waves pretty darn well so it’s not that that becomes a huge factor, there’s so much more to competitive surfing and being in the right spot at the right times. That comes in your preparation and a little luck always goes a long way too!”

Another Huntington Beach resident, Jason Harris, had a great run come to an end Tuesday. Harris had made it through qualifying last weekend to the main draw, and also advanced in the Round of 144. In the Round of 96, however, he finished fourth in his heat; only the top two surfers advance.

The men’s event also features some other familiar names. Former world champ Andy Irons is entered, as is fan favorite Rob Machado, who is now semi-retired but is still alive at this year’s U.S. Open. He’s going for his fourth U.S. Open title.

If the scene needed to be more amped up, big waves are expected this weekend for Orange County as well. Last year’s champ, Nathaniel Curran of Oxnard, is also still in the draw, although he only narrowly advanced in the Round of 96.

The men’s event continues at the pier today with the Round of 48, the Round of 24 on Friday and the Round of 12 on Saturday. Quarterfinals, semifinals and the final will all be contested Sunday.

The women’s event, featuring defending champion Malia Manuel of Hawaii, started Wednesday and continues until the final at 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Junior boys’ and girls’ finals will also be decided.

BMX and skate finals are also scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Live coverage of each heat is available at www.usopenofsurfing.com.