Wet ‘N’ Wild with Rockin’ Fig:

The women’s world championship tour Beachley Classic ran into some stormy weather for the finals, but the surf was up, ranging anywhere from 3 to 6 feet with some 8-foot sets for the last couple days.

The gals put on quite a performance, going for the big moves, charging the big lined-up peaks at Dee Why Beach, New South Wales, Australia. The highly anticipated final saw the two top gals in the world again matched up against each other. Australia’s world champ, Stephanie Gilmore, got off to a fast lead, getting a couple nice waves, racking some slicing turns and staying busy. Brazil’s Silvana Lima was more patient, waiting for the bigger lined-up sets, which paid off as she held a slim lead.

But as time was winding down, Lima pulled into a good barrel ride and hit a couple huge turns after, to score an 8.83 wave to solidify the win. This was the third final here in three years for Lima but her first win, as she scored the highest point totals of the whole event for her power-packed action moves.

Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich also had some killer barrels but lost in the semis to Lima, while Hawaiian standout Melanie Bartels came up short against points leader Gilmore. Gilmore is still out front in the ratings with 3,241, but Lima has 2,880, shrinking that lead to 361 points.

Hawaiian Coco Ho made the quarterfinals and is fifth in the standings, making a run for rookie of the year honors. And former Australian world champ Layne Beachley lost in round three and said this was her last pro heat, going into the ultimate retirement. The 37-year-old Beachley started competing in 1989 at 16, and this closes her 20th year, a fairy tale story that set the pace for women’s surfing: small and big waves and an incredible seven world titles.

Next up for the gals: the Rip Curl Pro Search in Portugal on Oct. 26 to 30. They just had the SIMA Surf Summit in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, last week.

This is where they recognize outstanding achievement and contributions in the surf industry. Among the winners was Billabong, which won the most exciting men’s designs apparel brand, while Hurley took best board short innovation with the Phantom. Retailer of the year was Surfside Sports in Costa Mesa, while best women’s retailer was Huntington Surf & Sport. Surfboard of the year was Channel Islands’ Proton, and Vans won for best footwear products.

The second annual Blessing of the Waves happened at the Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday morning.

More than 1,500 people showed up to hear the Rev. Mathew Munoz and the Rev. Christina Mondor show spiritual appreciation of the ocean.

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.