WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

At the two-star ASP Newport Pro Saturday and Sunday, San Clemente’s Nate Yeomans was the man of the hour, taking the men’s final by storm. Yeomans racked a good left at the beginning of the final and busted a nice backside air later to win it and $5,000. It’s been a contest he’s liked winning an incredible three years in a row now.

Malibu’s Dillon Perillo had some action-packed rides too, pulling into second; followed by S.C.’s Travis Mellem who ripped to third. Surf City’s Micah Byrne, who was killing it all event, came in at fourth. Losing in the semis, East Coasters Asher Nolan and Brett Barley were equal fifth. H.B.’s. Brad Ettinger, who had some nice tail out slashes, and Darrel Goodrum both finished equal seventh.

Yeomans was first in the men’s ratings, with Nolan second, Hawaiian Joel Centeio third and Santa Cruz’s Kieran Horn fourth with the O’Neill Cold Water Classic in October. In the pro junior final, Perillo was on fire, throwing back side blasters and front side airs, getting a 9.33 and 8.83 scores for the win.

He finished ahead of the U.S. Open junior winner Tanner Gudauskas who came in second with some quick speed slashes. The win moved Perillo up to second in the overall ratings behind Hawaiian Sebastian “Sea Bass” Zietz, with Huntington’s Jason Harris knocking on the door in third position. The WCT is over in Europe right now for the Quiksilver Pro France this week.

Taking wins in Round 1 were Taj Burrow just off the second place not long ago at Trestles, Taylor Knox and C.J. Hobgood. Kelly Slater, the point leader who’s won five of the last seven events this year, was beat in Round 1 by hot French wild card surfer Joan Duru, but he came back and won his Round 2 heat against Frenchy Tim Boal — remember that name — second at the U.S. Open in H.B. If Slater wins this event he’ll have world title No. 9 under belt.

Some big upsets: world champ Mick Fanning knocked out, losing to Floridian Gabe Kling, H.B.’s Timmy Reyes losing a close one to Portugal’s Tiago Pires. Hawaiian three-time world champ Andy Irons a no show for his heat, and “Parko” losing to wild card French Polynesian surfer Michel Bourez. The wonder rookies, Ventura’s Dane Reynolds and South Africa’s Jordy Smith, both won their Round 1 heats and matched up against each other in Round 3, not to mention battling for the rookie of the year honors on the side.

And San Clemente’s Chris Ward ripped, moving on to Round 3, too. The first official day of fall was Monday, the Autumnal Equinox. Ah, summer’s over till next year. Special high five to everybody who went down and lent a helping hand cleaning the beaches Saturday on Beach Clean Up Day.

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.