Riding the same wave

Mike Sciacca

They meet in a parking lot at the beach most mornings, go grab a

bite to eat and head out to do what they enjoy most: surf.

For Brandon Guilmette and Brad Ettinger, both graduates of

Huntington Beach High School, their almost daily, early morning

ritual has brought the two friends to the brink of a big moment --

competing in the Philips Fusion 2002 U.S. Open of Surfing, slated for

July 29 through Aug. 4 at the duo’s own stomping grounds -- the

Huntington Beach Pier.

Despite the hometown edge, they also come into the competition as

underdogs, a role neither minds.

“I think it’s kind of cool to be in the role of underdog on our

home turf,” Ettinger said. “We’re both going out there with nothing

to lose.”

This is the second U.S. Open for Ettinger. The 18-year-old

advanced in the first few heat rounds in last year’s Men’s Division

competition and reached the round of 32 in the Billabong Pro Juniors

event.

It is also the second appearance for Guilmette, 19, who three

years ago came up just shy of advancing to the quarterfinal round of

the Billabong Pro Juniors.

He’ll be contending in the Billabong/Boost Mobile Pro Juniors

event beginning Monday, as will Ettinger, who also will surf in the

U.S. Open Men’s competition.

The two good friends, who graduated from Huntington Beach High a

year apart, differ in terms of surfing style.

“Brad’s really smooth out there and a really good contest surfer,”

Guilmette said. “I’m more of a daredevil who tries to add a twist

here and there.”

Andy Verdone, who coached both Guilmette and Ettinger at

Huntington Beach High, had breakfast with his two former surfers the

other day, following an early morning surf.

“Brad was our captain this past year,” Verdone said. “He’s a great

surfer and a well-grounded kid.

“Brandon’s very talented, too. He can ride a surf board, wake

board, short board, long board, snow board -- you name it.”

Guilmette said he prefers to “go big.”

“I like trying bigger stuff out there, not just the standard

turns,” he explained. “I get more excitement watching guys doing

really great airs than the standard 10 turns. Guys like Andy Irons,

they can do it all.”

Guilmette’s maneuvers certainly have worked to his favor in the

Huntington Beach Pro/Junior Surf Series. He has won the last two

MACHO Airshow events this season. The most recent win earned him a

cool $500. It was his third air show win in the past two years.

The July 12-14 series event proved to be a huge weekend for

Ettinger, too, who won his first-ever pro contest by taking first

place in the Pro/Junior Division.

His take was an even cooler $2,000.

“We celebrated by going out to dinner at Duke’s with our friends,

Natalie and Danielle,” Ettinger said. “I was in shock, though, when

they called my name as the winner after the two-day event. Brandon

and I had been saying to each other that, wouldn’t it be cool if we

both won on the same day? And, we did.”

Ettinger, who models professionally and has worked for Abercrombie

& Fitch and renowned photographer Bruce Weber, says he aspires to

making it in the surf world.

“My goal is to make the World Championship Tour,” he said. “If I

go anywhere in surfing, it’s because of Brandon and Jesus Christ.

Brandon pushes me out there and we have a blast. He’s a great

friend.”

The 2002 Billabong/Boost Mobile Pro Juniors competition will not

come between that friendship, each says. While surfing is important

and they take their sport seriously, both Guilmette and Ettinger feel

that life goes beyond surfing.

“We’re just fortunate to have this opportunity,” Ettinger added.

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at [email protected].