Curren Pulls Off a Tactical Victory

It was the day of the wild cards Friday as three of the four men’s entries advanced to the fourth round of the Gotcha Pro surfing event at Huntington Beach.

Former world champion Tom Curren, Kelly Slater and Neco Padaratz each won his heat. Kaipo Jaguias of Hawaii, the fourth wild-card entry, was eliminated Thursday.

Curren and Slater were added to the contest as wild cards by the Assn. of Surfing Professionals. Padaratz, who is trying to requalify for the World Tour, gained his spot by finishing third last week at the U.S. Open.

The victories by Slater and Padaratz were impressive, but Curren’s matchup with Shane Dorian was the highlight.

Curren was coming off a win Wednesday against Shane Beschen and Michael Campbell. But unlike Wednesday’s performance, strategy, not surfing, was the rule. Both jockeyed for position to catch the few good waves.

Waves were so scarce in the heat that the two almost opted for a ruling that allows them to extend their heat if neither surfer catches a wave in the first 12 minutes.

However, Dorian closed that door when he caught a wave to score a 4.50. Normally, 4.50 would be throw-away score, but the poor waves made it worth keeping.

Dorian continued to pressure Curren when he scored 7.75 on the next wave he caught. At this point, Curren hadn’t even caught a wave.

But Curren caught a 4.0 and a 4.85 to get within striking distance. And as Dorian stayed outside, hoping to catch a high-scoring wave, Curren stayed close to shore, racking up more points, until he took the lead with about six minutes left.

Dorian needed just a 2.81 to overtake Curren. He got it by scoring a 4.0. With a minute left, Curren needed a 5.91 to take the lead. Spotting a wave that could give him that score, Curren started to paddle furiously. But Dorian was paddling next to him, making it almost impossible for Curren to get in position.

But just as it seemed the Hawaiian would prevent Curren from catching the wave, the three-time world champion did an amazing turn on his board, leaving Dorian looking back at him, as he caught probably the best wave of the heat to score 6.0, and win the heat with 16.35 points. Dorian finished with 16.25.

“I knew that heat would be hard,� Curren said. “Shane Dorian is a great surfer. But when there’s nothing out there, you have to rely more on experience and tactics than surfing. I would much rather it come down to who’s the better surfer.�

Curren will surf today against Brazilian Victor Ribas, who beat Glyndyn Ringrose of Australia by one point.

After knocking out top-ranked Mark Occhilupo Thursday, Padaratz of Brazil continued on his way as he edged Australian Michael Campbell, 23.00 to 22.60.

Padaratz will be surfing today against countryman Renan Rocha.

Slater, surfing against second-ranked Damien Hardman of Australia, also had a tough heat with little wave action. Slater said he and Hardman were talking about taking the time extension too. But when a good wave came, both took off and collided when they went the same way. Both were given penalties.

Slater finally caught a wave late in the heat to give him the win, 12.75-12.0.

Notes

Cory Lopez is out, but older brother Shea, who won last week’s U.S. Open, advanced. Shea Lopez moved to the fourth round by beating Luke Egan of Australia, 18.00-17.40. Defending champion Andy Irons of Hawaii was ousted by Nathan Webster of Australia, 20.65-12.75. . . . Australian Layne Beachley’s knee injury finally caught up to her, as the defending champion and top-ranked woman lost to countrywoman Pauline Menczer, 14.74-12.05. Rochelle Ballard beat fellow Hawaiian Megan Abubo.

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Surfing

* What: Gotcha Pro

* When: Today-Sunday

* Where: South side of Huntington Beach Pier, Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street

* Basics: The mainland’s only World Championship Tour event features the world’s top 44 men and top 15 women professional surfers in a double-elimination format.

* Today’s schedule: 9 a.m.-12:20 p.m.--men’s Round 4; 12:20-1:10 p.m.--women’s semifinals; 1:10-1:35 p.m.--tandem exhibition; 1:35-2 p.m.--women’s expression session; 2-2:25 p.m.--men’s expression session; 2:25-2:55 p.m.--women’s final; 3:15 p.m.--awards.

* Other activities: Today and Sunday there will be an outdoor festival and exhibit that will include board-shaping demonstrations, surf-related products and displays and other beach activities.

* Admission: Free

* Parking: Available at the city parking structure one block in from Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

* Web site: https://www.gotcha.com

* Information: (714) 593-9834