The Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge’s unique format hosts four-man teams, with each surfer gaining points for their respective group by advancing through heats. While an individual Katin Pro-Am Team Champion is crowned, the team with the most points at the end of the event is the overall champion. The four teams earning the most points shared in $15,000 worth of advertising and the top eight individuals received a cash payout worth $10,000 and prizes from sponsors.

Curran lived up to his reputation as one of the game’s top aerial specialists, launching the event’s most progressive maneuvers in the Final. He notched the highest single-wave score of a near-perfect 9.77 out of 10 for a massive frontside air-reverse on a lefthand ramp. He also earned the event’s highest heat-total, 18.50 out of 20, to leave fellow finalists Chris Waring, Micah Byrne and Tanner Gudauskas in need of two scores to overtake the progressive goofy-footer.

“I had a really slow start to that heat for the first 10 minutes and thought that heat was going to be a dud for me,” Curran said. “I did one little air and then I just decided that I was going to sit out the back and just go for airs. I know with the change in criteria now that the judges are rewarding big maneuvers so I just went for the airs.”

Curran, who solidified Team Hurley’s victory with his individual win at the Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge, admitted that he was able to enter the Final more relaxed with Hurley holding a firm lead prior to the Final heat.

“It’s great to see the guys in your team ripping,” Curran said “Everyone on my team kept making heats so it really took the pressure off entering the Final. I love Huntington Beach, I’ve been coming here since I was 15 and to win this event is great.”

The win at the Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge also marks a bit of a comeback for Curran, who is out to build his ASP World Ranking this year in order to get into the more premier ASP PRIME contests such as the US Open of Surfing.

“My plan this year is to take a break from the music tour and do as many fun events as possible to try and build my World Ranking,” Curran said. “I’d love to eventually get back into the US Open.”

For Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge highlights log on to www.katinproam.com

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Final Team Results:

1 – Hurley (48 points) – Two-page spread in SURFING Magazine
2 – Jack’s (37 points) – One-page ad in SURFING Magazine
3 – Buell Wetsuits (31 points) – $2,000 digital ad campaign on surfingthemag.com
4 – Rusty (27 points) – $1,000 digital ad campaign on surfingthemag.com

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Final Individual Results:

1 – Timmy Curran (HUR) 18.50 – $4,000
2 – Chris Waring (DRA) 13.06 – $2,000
3 – Micah Byrne (HBHS) 11.17 – $1,500
4 – Tanner Gudauskas (JAC) 11.10 – $1,000

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Semifinals Results:

Heat 1: Tanner Gudauskas (JAC) 15.86, Michael Dunphy (HUR) 12.80, Chris Waring (DRA) 11.30, Dane Gudauskas (JAC) 7.83
Heat 2: Timmy Curran (HUR) 16.00, Micah Byrne (HBHS) 15.73, Nathan Yeomans (RUS) 11.43, Cory Arrambide (BUE) 7.83, Blake Jones (BOD) 6.10

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Round 3 Results:

Heat 1: Chris Waring (DRA) 11.06, Michael Dunphy (HUR) 10.47, Nathaniel Curran (ALP) 10.36, Adam Virs (BUE) 6.67
Heat 2: Micah Byrne (HBHS) 13.00, Nate Yeomans (RUS) 11.17, Kalani Robb (17th St.) 10.37, Che Stang (FOX) 8.57
Heat 3: Dane Gudauskas (JAC) 11.23, Blake Jones (BOD) 10.70, Tom Curren (RIP) 9.80, Josh Loya (BUE) 7.74
Heat 4: Tanner Gudauskas (JAC) 12.37, Anthony Petruso (RUS) 9.83, Brad Ettinger (HUR) 9.83, Jesse Evans (FOX) 6.60
Heat 5: Cory Arrambide (BUE) 13.33, Timmy Curran (HUR) 9.40, Shaun Ward (JAC) 8.77, Dane Zaun (HUR) 8.56

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Round 2 Results:

Heat 3: Nathaniel Curran (ALP) 14.44, Michael Dunphy (HUR) 13.40, TJ Barron (BIL) 10.23, Taylor Brothers (RIP) 7.96
Heat 4: Kalani Robb (17th) 8.77, Che Stang (FOX) 7.66, Matt Pagan (BOD) 6.53, Sean Marceron (DRA) 3.13
Heat 5: Josh Loya (BUEL) 8.17, Dane Gudauskas (JAC) 6.50, Bud Freitas (FOX) 4.90, Kyle McGeary (KAT) 0
Heat 6: Tanner Gudauskas (JAC) 11.84, Brad Ettinger (HUR) 11.07, Austin Ware (BOD) 9.40, Jacob Halstead (BIL) 7.33
Heat 7: Tom Curren (RIP) 12.60, Blake Jones (BOD) 9.63,Ryan Turner (HBHS) 8.97, Killian Garland (FIL) 8.97
Heat 8: Jesse Evans (FOX) 8.44, Anthony Petruso (RUS) 8.14, Hans Haggen (17th) 5.67, Jake Davis (FIL) 5.46
Heat 9: Tim Curran (HUR) 10.93, Shaun Ward (JAC) 10.30, Jimmy Herrick (GLA) 7.76, Jason Harris (ANA) 6.50
Heat 10: Cory Arrambide (BUEL) 12.83, Dane Zaun (HUR) 10.10, Taylor Clark (DRA) 8.67, Colin Moran (RIP) 7.80

Special thanks to Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge sponsors: Katin USA, Sports 1 Marketing, Primo, Corralejo, Jack’s, Cushe, F.I.T.T. Energy, Café Rio, Power Balance, Hook Up, Future Fins, Sandy’s Beach Grill, Duke’s, Faction Surfboards, Wahoo’s, Hilton Waterfront, Kicker Audio, Alpinestars and SURFING Magazine (surfingmagazine.com).

The Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge has a rich history in the city of Huntington Beach that stretches over 30 years in its entirety and the original team format recognizes both the best individual performer as well as the top overall team.

Waring, who led Team Reef to victory last year, continued to be one of the form surfers of Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge competition today as the top performer for Team Dragon by claiming both Round 1 and Round 2 heat victories.

“Lots of people have been asking me that since I’m the defending champ if I’m going to win it again,” Waring said. “I just take it one heat at a time and can’t worry about the final. If you stick to that approach, before you know it you’re in the final and you’re setting yourself up for another opportunity to win.”

The local regular-footer expressed the confidence that comes along with competing at his local break on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier.

“It’s one of my favorite events because it’s at my home break,” Waring said. “I surf out here everyday with all of my buddies and it’s a good event for me. I feel real comfortable, so I’m stoked.”

Waring is also enjoying being able to compete along the likes of former ASP World Champion Tom Curren, who is surfing for Team Rip Curl in the Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge’s unique team event format. Curren is a two-time Katin champion, having won the event in both 1982 and 1987.

“Guys like Tom (Curren), there’s really nothing you can say about those guys,” Waring said. “You just sit back and watch them surf and watch them do their thing because they’re legends. If you get a heat against them, you’re pretty much the luckiest guy on the planet because to have the opportunity to have a heat against those guys is just awesome.”

Micah Byrne (Huntington Beach, CA), 29, surfing for Team Huntington Beach High School, was another local standout to shine in front of his home crowd by taking wins in both his Round 1 and Round 2 heats today.

“It’s great having this event in my backyard,” Byrne said. “We have so many good surfers and we always seem to have really good waves for the event. My Dad had me down here ever since I was little and it’s great to have the support to have the contest here.”

Other local standouts included Shaun Ward (Huntington Beach, CA), 28, surfing for Team Jack’s, who posted the day’s highest scores of a 9.17 out of 10 single-wave score as well as a 17.50 out of a possible 20 heat total.

The Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge will continue tomorrow, January 9, 2011 and will crown a champion by day’s end. For all of the live action log on to www.katinproam.com

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Chris Waring (USA) 14.33, Adam Virs (USA) 10.60, Christian Saenz (USA) 9.43, Bobby Okvist (USA) 5.50

Heat 2: Micah Byrne (USA) 12.93, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 12.06, Derek Peters (USA) 9.87, Chase Wilson (USA) 9.07

Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Chris Waring (USA) 11.93, Christian Saenz (USA) 10.00, Tom Rezvan (USA) 6.77, Sammy Orozco (USA) 3.83

Heat 2: Nate Yeomans (USA) 11.43, Derek Peters (USA) 9.77, Willie Safreed (USA) .9.14, Jack Boyes (USA) 6.66

Heat 3: Bobby Okvist (USA) 11.20, Adam Virs (USA) 11.00, Jamie Miestral (USA) 7.47, Ryan Carlson (USA) 5.23

Heat 4: Micah Byrne (USA) 14.26, Chase Wilson (USA) 8.40, Mike McCabe (USA) 4.77, Tyler Gunter (USA) 0.00

Heat 5: Nathaniel Curran (USA0 10.03, Taylor Brothers (USA) 5.17, Travis Beckmann (USA) 4.83, Matt McCabe (USA) 4.66

Heat 6: Kalani Robb (HAW) 13.93, Matt Pagan (USA) 7.07, Matt King (USA) 3.90, Mike Morrissey (USA) 2.33

Heat 7: Michael Dunphy (USA) 12.34, TJ Barron (HAW) 12.33, Andrew Gesler (USA) 7.07, Evan Kane (USA) 3.73

Heat 8: Sean Marceron (USA) 12.10, Che Stang (USA) 8.77, Adam Lambert (USA) 7.70, Frank Tesoro (USA) 4.16

Heat 9: Josh Loya (USA) 8.60, Dane Gudauskas (USA) 7.00, Ricky Whitlock (USA) 6.93, Eric Vallely (USA) 2.43

Heat 10: Jake Halstead (USA) 12.50, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.34, Pat Curren (USA) 8.07, Nick Fowler (USA) 5.66

Heat 11: Kyle McGeary (USA) 9.16, Bud Freitas (USA) 9.10, Teddy Navarro (USA) 8.20, Leo Fioravanti (ITA) 6.74

Heat 12: Austin Ware (USA) 13.66, Brad Ettinger (USA) 11.26, Jeff Deffenbaugh (USA) 9.34, Ethan Carlson (USA) 5.17

Heat 13: Tom Curren (USA) 9.84, Ryan Turner (USA) 8.33, Matt Powers (USA) 6.44, Matt Beacham (USA) 4.33

Heat 14: Jesse Evans (USA) 13.00, Hans Hagen (USA) 9.70, Kelly Zaun (USA) 7.70, Alex Gullett (USA) 5.33

Heat 15: Killian Garland (USA)14.93, Blake Jones (USA) 10.20, Victor Done (USA) 10.00, Ryan Croteau (USA) 6.30

Heat 16: Anthony Petruso (USA) 9.83, Jake Davis (USA) 7.50, Josh Hoyer (USA) 7.17, Tom Vos (USA) 6.84

Heat 17: Shaun Ward (USA) 17.50, Jason Harris (USA) 13.60, Cody Thompson (USA) 7.77, Billy Hopkins (USA) 6.76

Heat 18: Cory Arrambide (USA) 10.80, Taylor Clark (USA) 6.87, Richie Collins (USA) 6.80, Brighton Brandenburger (USA) 2.50

Heat 19: Timmy Curran (USA) 11.80, Jimmy Herrick (USA) 9.53, Brandon Tipton (USA) 8.44, Johnny Norris (USA) 7.83

Heat 20: Yadin Nicol (AUS) 13.34, Colin Moran (USA) 8.30, Jarred Cassidy (USA) 4.54, Jesse Steelman (USA) 4.43

Special thanks to Katin Pro-Am Team Challenge sponsors: Katin USA, Sports 1 Marketing, Primo, Corralejo, Jack’s, Cushe, F.I.T.T. Energy, Café Rio, Power Balance, Hook Up, Future Fins, Sandy’s Beach Grill, Duke’s, Faction Surfboards, Wahoo’s, Hilton Waterfront, Kicker Audio, Alpinestars and SURFING Magazine (surfingmagazine.com).

For more information, visit katinproam.com, or follow the action at facebook.com/KatinUSA and twitter.com/katinUSA.