WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

Way down south of the border at the No Fear Surfing Fiesta at San Miguel, Mexico, Surf City’s Brad Ettinger went big time. Ettinger made the final with a solid back hand attack the whole contest.

In the final he came from behind in the last couple minutes grabbing a right set wave off the point and carving numerous hard driving turns in the pocket moving him from fourth to first place, after receiving an 8.25 score to win it and $5,000.

Hawaii’s Billy Kemper had some nice rides too in the bumpy conditions and finished second, while Adam Virs, who’s made about four w.q.s. final appearances the last few months was third and another Hawaiian Even Valiere rounded out the top four slots.

Honorable mention goes to H.B.’s Mike Hoisington who scored a 9.5 score ripping big time and female sensation Carrisa Moore who scored the only perfect 10 of the event, yup taking out some big name guys in some heavy heats.

Next up for the world qualifying series surfers is the O’Neill Cold Water Classic which got under way last Tuesday at Steamer Lane Santa Cruz. Former winners include; Newport Beach’s Ritchie Collins, hot locals Adam Replogle, Chris Gallagher numerous times, east-sider Kieran Horn and Roy Powers the big boy from Hanalei Bay from the past.

Hotties who entered this year included H.B.’s Brett Simpson, Shaun Ward, Micah Byrne, Teddy Navarro, the Gudauskas brothers, former world champ Sunny Garcia, South Bay ripper Alex Gray, and Santa Cruz’s Peter Mel and Rat Boy Collins. A steep angled north swell was hitting this week so there should be some waves for it. With water temperatures ranging in the mid to low 50s, it’s definitely booty time!

The Billabong Pro Mundaka has run the first few rounds for the world championship tour. Already some upsets as both Irons brothers Andy and Bruce lost in Round 2 as well as veteran “Occy” Mark Occhilupo, San Clemente’s Chris Ward, also H.B.’s Timmy Reyes who’s back from the knee injury and East Coaster Corey Lopez.

Coming up in Round 3 match ups, last year’s winner Bobby Martinez is looking solid, the points leader Mick Fanning is up against a tough wild card surfer, Taj Burrow is busting some mean airs in his earlier heat, Kelly Slater is slashing away, and Taylor Knox and “Parko” Joel Parkinson are still intact and waiting for more swell.

The contest has been on hold due to lack of surf and there really hasn’t been any of the killer Mundaka dredging lefts yet. Thus far all the heats have been held in tough sub par beach break conditions.

We saw our first blast of Santa Ana winds last Saturday, opening up a few little barrels, hopefully more swell and more off shore winds will prevail. Saw Reyes and Byrne ripping it up on the south side of the pier the other day.

Reyes said he’s getting ready for Hawaii for some warm water and hopeful good sizable surf. Sounds good to me, that’s it for now Fig over and out.

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.