Posted on: Sunday, February 23, 2003

Big waves, big scores at Banzai

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

It was make or break for surfers on the second day of the Hansen's Energy Pro yesterday.

Those who made it through the treacherous barreling waves at the Banzai Pipeline were rewarded with near-perfect scores and the chance to surf on the final day. Those who didn't were eliminated from the contest, leaving them to walk away with broken dreams — and broken surfboards.

The second round and most of the third round were completed in wave faces that ranged from 10 to 15 feet yesterday. Most of Hawai'i's top professionals are in the field.

Two-time defending champion Bruce Irons of Kaua'i led the charge with a dominating performance in his third-round heat. Irons caught just two waves, but both resulted in long barrel rides that received scores of 9.0 and 8.5.

"All you need is two waves, so I waited for two good barrels," he said.

As one of the top seeds in the contest, Irons received byes through the first and second rounds, so yesterday marked his first heat of the contest.

"The first heat's always the most pressure," he said. "So now that it's over, the pressure's over."

If yesterday was any indication, Irons will not have an easy time defending his title.

Several other surfers turned in high-scoring performances.

Jamie O'Brien, who resides in one of the beachfront houses at Pipeline, received a perfect 10 and a 9.8 for his two best barrel rides.

Fred Patacchia Jr. of Hale'iwa, Andrew King of Australia and Chris Ward of California also received perfect 10s. Patacchia's double-barrel ride received the loudest applause from the crowd on the beach.

There also were several surprising performances, perhaps none more so than that of Kainoa McGee from Kaimuki.

McGee, who has been a professional bodyboarder for more than a decade, won both his second- and third-round heats yesterday. This is the first pro surfing contest he has ever entered.

"I've been riding a surfboard for two years now," said McGee, 31. "I figured what the heck, I'm out here all the time anyway so I might as well go for it. Pipe is my favorite spot, so if there was one contest to try, this was it."

Along the way, he eliminated proven North Shore surfers Shane Beschen and Nainoa Suratt.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised because I don't do anything halfway," McGee said. "But I also got lucky because it was a slow heat for waves and basically I got one good one."

With his success so far this week, McGee said he is now interested in competing professionally as both a bodyboarder and surfer.

"It's two totally different disciplines, and I wouldn't say one is better and I wouldn't say one is worse," he said. "I just like (surfing) right now because it's challenging and different. And when I approach sponsors, I can offer two guys in one."

California's Joel Tudor, who is more known for his longboarding skills, also advanced yesterday.

Former world champion Sunny Garcia was eliminated in the third round along with former event champion John Gomes.

Gomes injured his knee and his board was snapped in half after a wipeout. At least seven other surfboards were broken yesterday.

The final day of competition is expected to be completed either tomorrow or Tuesday.

For daily status of the contest, call 596-7873.