Wet ‘N’ Wild with Rockin’ Fig:

It looks like it’s gonna be a big year for U.S. surfers on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals’ World Championship Tour. Leading the way, but still deciding if he’s gonna fully commit to the whole 2010 season, is nine-time world champ Kelly Slater. Can he get No. 10? A more focused “Slates” might. Former world champ from Florida C.J. Hobgood is tuned up and ready to go, looking about as fit as you can look. The hot goofy-footer Bobby Martinez from Santa Barbara is destined for greatness this year; watch out for him in hollow dredging lefts. Brother Damien Hobgood turned on at the end of last year and could be dangerous.

The high-flying Dane Reynolds set the pace for radness last season and, barring injury, this could be his breakout year. The veteran Taylor Knox has been so powerful with his classic speed turns, the judges still love his style. San Clemente’s Pat Gudauskas, a new member to the championship tour, can do it all, and showed it with a very impressive World Qualifying Series season. Nathan Yeomans took down the field of hotties at the Cold Water Classic and has been surfing insane.

Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson won the U.S. Open and can do air 360 reverses with his eyes closed, a big points move; plus, that boy can ride the barrel, too. And brother Tanner Gudauskas is fast and quick on his slashes and busts airs as well! This is the biggest crop of U.S. surfers in years.

The Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship started Jan. 20 at Piha, Auckland, New Zealand, and is expected to wrap up today. Piha is a good-size bay with big, rocky cliffs on each side of it, with black sand beach and tropical rain forest surrounding it. The surf has been pumping lefts in the 3- to 6-foot zone. Representing the U.S. in the 18-and-under division are Evan Geiselman, Andrew Doheny, Conner Coffin and Evan Thompson, who have been working those lefts.

In the 16-and-under, Kolohe Andino, Jake Halstead, Trevor Thornton and Parker Coffin have been ripping. And in the gals, Courtney Conlogue, Lakey Peterson, Taylor Pitz and Kaleigh Gilchrist have been on fire, too. Andino has been a standout in his division and had two of the highest single-round scores, landing a 9.0 or higher both times.

The U.S. team has been surfing solid with all surfers getting through the early rounds. Conlogue beat defending champ Tyler Wright of Australia in one of her heats. Hawaiian Keanu Asing has been impressive as has South Africa’s David Brand and Brazil’s Jesse Mendes.

The contest was still in progress at press time, but the U.S., Hawaii and Australia all look to be in contention for the gold medal.

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.