A stormy week in the waves and mountains

RICK FIGNETTI

It seems the winter storm track is in full force right now,

unleashing some stormy weather along the California coastline.

Clouds, rain by the buckets, some gusty winds and murky water from

the runoff have been the conditions around here lately. There were

even some waterspouts sighted off the coast of H.B., funneling up

toward the sky.

Haven’t seen too many surfers in the lineup, as it is advisable to

stay out of the water for a few days after a storm. Higher bacteria

levels and floating debris are common as everything flushes toward

the sea from storm drains and river mouths. That makes the water

quality pretty poor and gives you a higher chance of coming down with

some kind of ailment.

But ya never know. Sometimes these storms can produce some sizable

surf, and when you least expect it, it could glass off or possibly

turn offshore and get good.

The local mountains have been getting hammered by these storms

too. The first part of the week, they picked up more than a foot of

new powder, as the snow level dropped to 3,500 feet. Most resorts are

now reporting 100% of their terrain open, with tons of runs to ski

and board on.

Chains or four-wheelers have been required to get up the mountain

on some of the days, as the roads were pretty snow-covered and icy.

Could be a nice weekend up there, with excellent coverage and

shreddable conditions, and better weather is expected, too.

The 2005 World Qualifying Series has already started with the

Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro in Florida. It’s a three-star event worth

$50,000, and about 220 surfers from all around the nation are entered

in it. It runs about the same time that the surf industry is in

Orlando for the Surf Trade Expo, so they’ll be checking it out, too.

Besides the surf contest, there will be a tow-in specialty event

that’s invite only. Surfers will be towed by a personal watercraft at

about 20 mph into the waves and try to do his best air or carving

maneuver.

Top world surf stars entered in this unique contest are: six-time

world champ Kelly Slater, who resides in Cocoa Beach and learned to

surf at the Inlet; former world champ C.J. Hobgood and brother Damien

from Satellite Beach, Fla.; and former U.S. Open winner Corey Lopez,

who’s originally from the Gulf side of the panhandle. “Air Busters”

Timmy Curran from Oxnard, Ola Eleogram from Hawaii and Ben Bourgeois

from North Carolina will also add to the excitement.

I know some of the Huntington contingent will be making the trek

East in search of those points.

A high-five to the U.S. Surf Team, which went to Tahiti last month

to surf in the World Junior Championships. Out of 23 teams, the U.S.

finished second to the Australians after finishing 10th last year.

Coach “P.T.” Peter Townend from Surf City did a fine job keeping the

team motivated and focused. Newport Beach’s Erica Hosseini won a

bronze medal in the women’s competition, San Clemente’s Tanner

Gudauskas won bronze in the 16-and-under boys and East Coasters

Jeremy Johnston (18-and-under boys) and Karina Petroni (18-and-under

girls) won silvers in their respective divisions. Congrats!

Fig over and out.

* RICK FIGNETTI is an nine-time West Coast champion, has

announced the U.S. Open of Surfing the last 11 years and has been the

KROQ-FM surfologist for the last 18 years, doing morning surf

reports. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at

(714) 536-1058.