Ben Bourgeois, Tim Reyes and Damien Hobgood into Round 4 in Brazil
Three of five Southern California surfers on the ASP World Tour today advanced to the fourth round of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro in Brazil.
Winning their third-round heats were Ben Bourgeois of Carlsbad, Tim Reyes of Huntington Beach and Damien Hobgood of Encinitas. Among surfers eliminated were Chris Ward of San Clemente and Taylor Knox of Carlsbad.
The Santa Catarina Pro is the second-to-last contest on the elite circuit and, while the world title has already been claimed by Kelly Slater, surfers are trying to earn points toward requalification for the 2009 tour.
The tour takes its top 27 at the end of the season, and adds 15 from the qualifying circuit. Bourgeois and Hobgood, ranked Nos. 37 and 30, respectively, are the only surfers truly on the bubble. Reyes is ranked No. 22, Ward No. 20 and Knox No. 18.
The fourth round is expected to be contested Sunday.
--Pete Thomas
Photo: Tim Reyes of Huntington Beach cuts back on a four-foot wave during his third-round triumph over South African Travis Logie. Credit: ASP Rowland/Covered Images
