Aging Champion Tom Curren Ousted, but He Won’t Stop Surfing
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Three-time world champion Tom Curren came up short Wednesday while trying to work his way through the qualifying rounds of the Op Pro Surfing Championships at Huntington Beach this week.
Curren advanced through the third and fourth rounds in the men’s qualifying heats but was eliminated in the fifth round after Christian Vaccaro and Pete Rocky took first and second. Only the top two advance in each heat.
Curren won the world title in 1985, ’86 and ‘90, but at 31, he is considered an old-timer, possibly on his last legs as a professional.
Nevertheless, it was clear Wednesday that the Santa Barbara surfer had most of those watching from the beach rooting for him against his younger rivals.
“I kind of think about that, being too old, but I don’t let it stop me from competing,” he said.
Men’s trials will continue at 7 a.m. today, with the main event scheduled at 8:20 a.m.
The women’s main event is scheduled for this afternoon.
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