WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

It’s that time again, as the National Scholastic Surfing Assn.’s National Championships started this week.

The top amateurs have flown in from all parts of the country to compete in America’s premiere show case. The event started at Salt Creek on Wednesday and will run there till Saturday. A couple-day break then it cranks up again at Lower Trestles in San Clemente. National titles are on the line; some former winners include: Kelly Slater, Taylor Knox, Kalani Robb, C.J. and Damien Hobgood, Andy and Bruce Irons, Bobby Martinez and Freddy Boy.

In the big-time open men’s Lahaina’s, four-time national champ Granger Larsen is a favorite, winning the Hawaiian conference. Hawaiians Kai Barger and Alex Smith both made the finals last year and have been racking some wins.

From the Southwest, Dane “Air” Zaun has been busting big airs and is a threat along with Dillon Perillo of Malibu, who made three finals at the regionals. Plus Nat Young of Santa Cruz won nine events last season. Can’t forget local Huntington Beach slasher Quinn McCrystal, who was on the U.S. team and Surf City’s Eddie Elles and Kyle Kennelly.

In juniors’, Santa Barbara’s Conner Coffin has been on fire this season with radical surfing, another U.S. team star, plus San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino winning mens’ and juniors’ at the regionals at Huntington Beach.

East Coaster Evan Geiselman, who has a record 12 regional titles, is a major threat while defending champ from Newport Beach Andrew Doheny has been getting tons of coverage.

In women’s, Hawaii’s Alessa Quizon and Coco Ho have won a ton of events, and with 11-time National Champ Carissa Moore gone the door is open. Santa Ana’s Courtney Conlogue and Huntington Beach’s Sara Taylor were one and two in the s.w. ratings; both U.S. teamers have been looking strong along with Ventura’s Sage Erickson and Florida’s Amy Nicholl.

In the younger divisions, Huntington Beach’s Kanoa Igarashi is No. 2 in mini grom’s and No. 3 in explorer boys, while Johnny Elles is fourth in explorer boys and has been surfing extremely well. Going into this, Huntington Beach High School is No. 1 in high schools, winning the state championship by more than 25 points. Can coach Andy Verdone make it 18 national titles this year? Local schools Edison and Marina will give it a go.

In middle schools it’ll be tough for anyone to stop Shore Cliffs, going for a third straight title, with 2007 champ Andino and 2008 state champ Ian Crane teaming up. Look for Huntington’s Sowers and Dwyer to battle for the second-place spot.

There’s south swell on the horizon, so things look good. If you can’t catch the action live go to surfingthemag.com. Best of luck, Figgy 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.