Waves, local competitors rise to occasion
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Waves came up big yesterday, and so did the Hawai'i surfers.
Bernie Baker • Special to The Advertiser
The Hawai'i contingent had a strong showing during the second day of the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing yesterday. The third round was completed in 8- to 10-foot surf, with some wave-faces near 20 feet.
Jamie O'Brien of O'ahu's North Shore was one of 10 Hawai'i surfers advancing to the fourth round of the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing.
"My confidence is highest when the waves are big," said Myles Padaca from O'ahu's North Shore. "When it's like this, it's what us local surfers live for."
Ten Hawai'i surfers advanced to the fourth round, including Padaca. He won the World Cup at Sunset Beach in 2001.
"Lucky for me, I surf out here all the time," he said. "A lot of guys who don't know this place get caught in the wrong spot at the wrong time. I try to use that to my advantage."
Also advancing yesterday was Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia, keeping him in the lead for the overall Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
The World Cup is the second event in the Triple Crown of Surfing. Garcia won the first event last week at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.
"The other guys are not used to getting dragged or held under water," said Garcia, who has already won a record five Triple Crown championships. "For me, it's fun."
Garcia caught some of the biggest waves of the day during his morning heat.
"Hawai'i is not the place where you need to be shy," he said. "You just have to go out and try and take charge."
Other Hawai'i surfers advancing were Marcus Hickman, Nathan Carroll, Jamie O'Brien, Daniel Jones, Evan Valiere, Ian Walsh, Dustin Cuizon and Brian Pacheco.
Valiere may have been the most surprising surfer to advance. He got to compete as an alternate because another surfer from Brazil failed to show.
"The waves looked so good this morning, I was going out to surf, contest or not," said Valiere, who is from Kaua'i. "When they called my name, I was just excited. I have nothing to lose in this thing, so I'm just going out and having fun."
Australian surfers also fared well yesterday, including Daniel Ross. He had the best score of the day with a two-wave total of 17.10.
Three-time world champ Andy Irons of Kaua'i and the other top-ranked surfers had byes yesterday. The contest will continue today if the conditions hold. For status of the event, call 596-7873.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
