Area Surfers Advance at U.S. Open

Adam Virs and Geoff Brack of Ventura and Brett Simpson and Andy Hobson of Huntington Beach each won sixth-round heats in chest- to head-high wave conditions Tuesday at the Philips U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.

Virs, 23, had the best ride of the day and matched the highest wave score of the event, earning a 9.17 from judges after a two-second tube ride to advance to Thursday’s round of 128. Former U.S. surfing champion Dino Andino, 33, of San Clemente was eliminated when Josh Montgomery of Carlsbad scored a 6.43 with seconds remaining to take the heat’s final qualifying spot. Travis Mellem of San Clemente also failed to advance by one position, but later transferred to the junior division.

Pat Gadauskas and Benji Severson of San Clemente, Brandon Tipton of Huntington Beach and Carl Holm of Morro Bay each won his fifth-round heat and will compete today in the second half of the sixth round.