Veterans Gather for a Different Type of Battle

Mike Todd, 19, of Laguna Beach, one of the young stars on the World Championship Tour, won his heat in the quarterfinals of the Junior Pro U.S. Open Friday at the Huntington Beach Pier.

“This has always been an important event for me, and a good result can never hurt,” said Todd, who recently won a minor league surfing event in San Clemente and earlier placed 13th at a six-star event in Argentina.

Another young surfer who appears ready to make waves on the WCT is San Clemente’s Chris Baiata, 20, who came on late Friday to win his heat and advance to today’s semifinals.

But Baiata, who attends Saddleback College, said he is not in a position economically to become a tour staple. “I’d love to go out and tour,” Baiata said, “but financially I’m not ready.”

Matt King of Mission Viejo and Dane Reynolds of San Clemente failed to advance.

Chris Drummy and David Pinto of San Juan Capistrano are fast becoming a one-two punch. On Friday, the friends from Capistrano Valley High advanced from the same heat for the third consecutive time.

Cory Lopez, a part-time San Clemente resident, and Rob Machado of Cardiff also advanced. But Lopez’s brother, Shea, and Gavin Beschen of San Clemente failed to qualify for today’s competition.

In the women’s event, Australian Layne Beachley, who leads the WCT ratings, was out after finishing third in her heat.

Australian Prue Jefferies, who’s not among the top 15 in the WCT ratings, won the heat and advanced to today’s semifinals.

This year’s U.S. Open is a six-star World Qualifying Series event.