Simpson qualifies for tour

Huntington Beach native Brett Simpson probably couldn’t have scripted it better.

After winning the U.S. Open of Surfing at his home break in July — and $100,000 to go with it — Simpson has now accomplished another big feat. He’s qualified for the 2010 Assn. of Surfing Professionals Tour, after finishing top 15 in the ASP World Qualifying Series.

Simpson, 24, finished 10th after the last event was completed in Hawaii earlier this month. He had been on the verge of qualifying for several years but this was the year he broke through.

“It’s definitely my biggest achievement yet in my goal line,” Simpson said in e-mail. “I’ve been at it for about four years now and I can say it didn’t come easy, but the hard work and being persistent paid off! I’ve always dreamed about surfing heats at most of these destinations on tour and now 2010 will be the year!”

Simpson, a Huntington Beach High alumni, said one of his goals before the year was to get a win at a six-star event. He never knew it would be the U.S. Open in his own backyard, setting off a series of events that made for a special year.

“That event was a whirlwind for me, as things were just going as planned and nothing was having to be overworked or stressed,” Simpson said. “It will probably go down in my memory banks as the biggest win of my career, no matter what happens on the [tour].”

Simpson was one of four Americans who qualified, along with Patrick Gudauskas, Nathan Yeomans and Tanner Gudauskas. The 2010 ASP Tour begins in late February at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast event in Australia.