Sullivan shines at Sunset

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

When it comes to surfing at Sunset Beach, Pancho Sullivan never loses faith.

Pancho Sullivan

"Any time I show up for an event here, I'm gunning for a win," said Sullivan, 30. "This is such an amazing wave, and it's a wave that, I think, fits my style. I just enjoy being out there — I feel totally comfortable when it comes to Sunset."

Sullivan grew up surfing at Sunset Beach, and his knowledge of the waves played a key role in his victory.

The final day of the two-day contest was completed in 6- to 10-foot waves. The event was the season opener for the 2004 Hawaiian Pro-Am Circuit. It also awarded points for surfing's World Qualifying Series.

"It was definitely grueling," Sullivan said of surfing in four heats yesterday. "It was like an ironman surfing contest. But at the same time, the more you get to surf, the more you can get a rhythm going and adapt to the conditions."

"I have so much respect for this place," he said. "I consider it a challenge every time."

Sullivan relied on his trademark power-surfing style yesterday.

In the four-man final, he caught only four waves, but two resulted in high scores.

On one wave, he completed three difficult top-to-bottom carving maneuvers on the open section. The judges rewarded him with a score of 7.4

Later in the heat, he caught an 8-foot wave and successfully rode through a fast-closing barreling section for a score of 7.8.

"I tried to pick off the better set waves and maximize those waves," he said. "I was just trying to be patient and I got lucky with that barrel. Usually, I'd try to get in as many maneuvers as possible, but I saw the barrel lining up, so I gambled and went for it. Fortunately, I had enough speed to project through and make it."

His two-wave total of 15.2 was enough to hold off a talented field that included a surprise entry in six-time former world champion Kelly Slater of Florida.

Slater happened to be on O'ahu last week when the first day of the contest was held. He entered the contest on a whim.

"I was just driving by one day and I thought I'd stop by and see if there were any spots open," he said.

There was one alternate spot available, and he took it all the way to the final.

Despite oversleeping yesterday, he wound up in second place with a two-wave total of 13.8.

"I would've missed my (second round) heat this morning, but Ross Williams called me and said the waves were pretty good," Slater said. "He told me my heat was going out in 10 minutes, so I got up."

Slater normally competes only in World Championship Tour events, and not in qualifying series contests such as yesterday's.

"It was just a fun thing for me," he said.

Still, his presence was a factor in the contest. As Sullivan put it: "Kelly's level of surfing is so high, I know he can take an average wave and turn it into an incredible score. I was just focusing on myself, but you have to be aware of what he's doing."

Joel Centeio of Makakilo placed third with a two-wave score of 12.1. His opening wave received a score of 7.0, but he was never able to find a solid second wave.

Each surfer could catch up to 10 waves, but only the best two would count toward the final score.

"With guys like Slater and Pancho out there, I was stoked just to even be in the final," Centeio said. "It seems like there were good surfers in every heat, so I was happy to keep making it."

Roy Powers of Kaua'i placed fourth. His surfboard broke midway through the final heat, costing him about 10 minutes while he paddled to shore to get a new one.

Sullivan, who earned $2,500 for the victory, is a North Shore surfer who does not compete on the world tour.

"That's why I look forward to these contests," he said. "It's pretty much the only chance that guys like us get to compete and when the waves are good like this, it only makes it that much better."

Slater got $1,000 for second, Centeio received $800 for third, and Powers $700 for fourth.

Two-time defending world champion Andy Irons of Kaua'i did not enter the contest.

Kekoa Enriques won a longboard exhibition heat prior to yesterday's final.

Final results

1, Pancho Sullivan (Hawai'i), $2,500. 2, Kelly Slater (Florida), $1,000. 3, Joel Centeio (Hawai'i), $800. 4, Roy Powers (Hawai'i), $700. 5 (tie), Josh Fuller (Australia) and Brian Pacheco (Hawai'i), $600. 7 (tie), Scott Fountain (Hawai'i) and Gavin Beschen (California), $500. 9 (tie), Mark Mathews (Australia), Fred Patacchia Jr. (Hawai'i), Arnold Dowling (Hawai'i) and Marcel Trekinho (Brazil), $400. 13 (tie), Tom Dosland (Hawai'i), Raymond Reichle (Hawai'i), Kolea Fukumitsu (Hawai'i) and Love Hodel (Hawai'i), $300.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.