Area pro men look to break through surf on top

Mike Sciacca

With all eyes in the surfing world looking at Huntington Beach this

week, it just may be the local scenery that could demand attention at

the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing men’s competition.

Two of the locals hoping to maneuver their way into the spotlight

are Brett Simpson of Huntington Beach and Mike Todd of Laguna Beach.

Each pro has tasted success at the U.S. Open of Surfing, and

Simpson’s initial foray into the big time left him wanting more.

Two years ago, he burst onto the scene by winning his first “five

or six” heats, he said.

Last year, he advanced to the Round of 32.

Here’s a look at each surfer:

Brett Simpson

Age: 20

Resident of: Huntington Beach

High School: Huntington Beach (Class of 2003)

Years as a Pro: Three

Current Ranking: 93rd

Career highlights: Won several heats during his first time out at

the U.S. Open of Surfing in 2003; finished third at a five-star

Billabong event in Bahia, Brazil.

Best finish at U.S. Open of Surfing: Round of 32 in 2004

What attracts you to the U.S. Open of Surfing?: “It’s an awesome

event, but what attracts me is that it’s at my home break, and we

surf before more people than anywhere else throughout the year. The

crowd factor is great. There are other contests that are similar, but

being on the home front and loving the fact that I get to see my

family, makes this the best.”

How would you rate the talent pool worldwide among male surfers:

“It’s insane, but guys from Australia and Brazil always seem to win

these big events. I think a lot of that has to do with their junior

programs, which are a lot more involved than ours. A lot of American

guys have the talent to win these big events; it’s just a matter of

putting it all together come contest time.”

Final thoughts on the competition: “I’m feeling pretty good

heading into this thing, and I’m really excited to surf. My main

goal, though, is to take it one heat at a time.”

Mike Todd

Age: 24

Resident of: Laguna beach

High school: Laguna Beach (Class of 1999)

Years as a Pro: Six

Current ranking: 61st

Career highlights: Finished fifth twice at the World Qualifying

Series event and the Pipeline U.S. Junior Championships.

Favorite spot to surf in the world: “I can’t say that one spot in

particular is my favorite. I’ve had days at so many spots that stand

out, but I also have days where I can’t stand the place, so it just

depends on the day.

What attracts you to the U.S. Open of Surfing? “The U.S. Open is a

big event for everyone, because it is the only venue where we [in the

World Qualifying Series] have a chance to prove ourselves against the

big boys in front of our home town.”

The sport of surfing continues to receive greater recognition. Do

you like the direction the sport is heading? “The level of the sport

continues to grow leaps and bounds every year, and it’s amazing to

think where it can go. The only bummer is that the water keeps

getting more crowded, and where I live, the attitudes seem to be on

the decline.”

Final thoughts on the competition: “It will be interesting to see

who does well this year. There have been a lot of new winners and a

lot of the young guys proving themselves. But the veterans know what

it takes to win. I think that I have a chance to do well this year.

It just comes down to getting the waves, so if I can find them, I

should be able to do well.”