Pro/Am starts today at H.B. Pier

Surfing can be one of the most individual sports out there, just you against the wave.

But that will not be the case starting this morning at the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier.

The Katin Pro/Am Challenge event is about team.

Teams of four make up the event, which began in 1977, was discontinued in 1998 and brought back last year. Surf City’s own Brett Simpson won the individual title last year.

“There are really big swells expected for [today],” said Scott Waring, Katin USA marketing director. “There’s some great teams and it’s a very unique event.”

Simpson, a new member of the Assn. of Surfing Professionals Tour, won’t be able to compete this year. But his Team Hurley, including locals Brad Ettinger and Christian Saenz, will be looking to defend its title.

The event starts at 8 a.m. today and continues through Friday, with the semifinals tentatively scheduled for 12:25 p.m. and the finals at 1:50 p.m. An awards presentation is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at the Shorebreak Hotel.

The individual champion earns $4,000 and a custom car stereo system. The winning team receives a two-page spread in Surfing Magazine, among other prizes.

Waring said other locals competing include his son Chris Waring (Team Reef), Jason Harris (Team Faction), Micah Byrne (Team Matix) and Ryan Carlson (Team O’Quinn). In addition, there’s a Huntington Beach High team made up of Jeff Deffenbaugh, Evan Kane, Shayne Nelson and Jay Larson.

For more information, visit www.katinproam.com.