The surf action kicked off with plenty of swell.
It’s been a morning of mixed emotions.
San Clemente’s Tanner Gudauskas won his first round heat early Thursday morning, pumping up crowds and fans cheering for one of several Orange County surfers competing at the U. S. Open of Surfing.
But just 30 minutes later, as Huntington Beach favorite Brett Simpson lost his round 2 heat for an early elimination, a wave of disappointment filled the air.
“It’s a bummer, ” said surf fan Melissa Salas, of Huntington Beach. Salas came down to the sand to support Simpson, who won the event in 2009 and 2010. “It’s always the luck of the surf.”
There were some big victories – as well as big upsets – as some of the area’s top surfers both soared and stumped during Thursday’s action, which kicked off with waves in the 3-5 foot range for the international field of competitors at the contest just south of the pier.
“It’s nice to start the day off, you’ re always kind of nervous when you have those first heats, I’ m just stoked to make it, ” Gudauskas said after his heat. He’ ll join his brother Pat in round 3.
The women’s quarterfinals got underway, with last year’s champion Tatiana Weston-Webb knocking out France’s surfer Johanne Defay after getting an early score on the board.
“If it wasn’ t for that, I wouldn’ t have gotten into the flow and rhythm of the waves, ” Weston-Webb said.
The women’s quarterfinals saw a big upset as current World Champion Tyler Wright was eliminated, which could have big implications for the world title race.
Wright’s exit leaves the door open for Santa Ana’s Courtney Conlogue, who won her heat against Pauline Ado with a score of 14.87 over 10.47. She’ ll then match up with fellow California surfer Sage Erickson, of Santa Barbara, whom she recently beat at a surf contest in Oceanside.
“We’ re friends, but as soon as we get in the water, you know it’s going to be a great competition and exciting heat, ” Conlogue said. “She always brings the best out of me, I’ m really looking forward to it.”
Conlogue said the support she has from friends and fans chokes her up.
“It fuels me to want to do better. I think just funneling all that energy and all that positive vibe in a good way is crucial, ” she said.
When the men’s event got underway, Huntington Beach’s Kanoa Igarashi was matched in a heat with San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino, who took an early lead. The duo are the only World Tour surfers, among the top 34 in the world, from Orange County.
Igarashi was able to fight his way to his first spot. With New Zealand’s Richardo Christie taking the second spot, Andino was knocked out of the event.
Igarashi, who has made the semi-finals at the U. S. Open of Surfing for the past two years, hopes his streak continues through this year’s event.
“I hope I can finish up on top, ” he said.
