Irons Heats Up to Reach the Quarterfinals

Andy Irons of Hawaii had the best individual wave score and the best heat score of the day in third-round competition Friday in the MCD Defcon 4 surfing contest at Lower Trestles.

Irons had a wave score of 9.5 and a heat total of 23.10 to finish ahead of fellow wild-card entry Gavin Beschen of San Clemente, who had a heat score of 22.05. Jay Larson of Huntington Beach, Shea Lopez of Dana Point and defending champion Tim Curran of Oxnard also had impressive rides in advancing to the quarterfinals.

World champion Colin McPhillips of San Clemente advanced to the longboard semifinals.

In the women’s division, Andrea Lopes had the day’s highest heat score, followed by Tina Tavares of Brazil, Heather Clark of South Africa and Melanie Redman of Australia.

The eight-day event ends today, with women’s quarterfinal competition beginning at 8 a.m. After the women’s final round is completed, the men’s quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will follow.