Orange County’s top up-and-coming surfers kicked off their campaigns at the Maresia Surf International at Praia Mole in Florianopopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil yesterday and several local surfers advanced through their early round heats.

Tanner Gudauskas, 21, who is fresh off of his ASP 6-Star victory in South Africa, advanced through to the Round of 48 when he finished second behind local Brazilian standout Pedro Henrique. Although Tanner was happy about his advancement, his celebration was cut short due to brother Dane’s early round elimination.

“It was a shame that Dane lost his heat right in the end, but that’s competition,” Gudauskas said. “It’s super hot outside, but it’s fun. I’m stoked to be here, beautiful day, a lot of people on the beach, good looking girls so the surf is just a bonus. I feel really great after Ballito.”

Nathan Yeomans, 28, also advanced out of his Round of 96 alongside Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson, 24, and Shaun Ward, 26.

Patrick Gudauskas, 23, and Brad Ettinger, 24, will surf their Round of 96 heats when competition resumes.

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Tanner Gudauskas, 21, of San Clemente, Calif., earned the best result of his professional career when he won the ASP 6-Star Mr. Price Pro Ballito in South Africa today over Australian Taipan Wood (AUS). The win launches him from 20th to sixth overall on the ASP WQS, putting him in excellent on The Grind as the season approaches the halfway mark.

“I just can’t believe it, this is a personal best for me,” Gudauskas said. “Every night this week I’ve been going to bed dreaming about winning this contest and putting myself up there where Pat (Tanner’s brother and ASP WQS No. 10 Patrick Gudauskas) was at, and it came through today so I’m fired up!”

Gudauskas jumped out to an early lead in the final, staying busy throughout the heat. He found the waves he needed to claim the win over his ferocious Australian competitor. Gudauskas’ win was not only his first ASP WQS victory, but the significance of winning an ASP 6-Star event makes the win that much more prestigious due to the heightened ratings points on offer toward qualification for the ASP World Tour.

“I just got into this mindset that when the surf got worse, I was going to get better and as the tide came up and it got less consistent, I just got more fired up and more pissed off,” Gudauskas said. “It’s crazy because I can hardly remember half of it now, but my priority exchange worked out and it all came together and I’m just super fired up!”

The impressive victory came as a late birthday gift to the young American, who turned 21 July 4, and was able to share the festivities with brothers Dane and Patrick, who carried him up the beach alongside his fellow American competitors.

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Orange County locals Timmy Reyes, 26, and Chris Ward, 30, both won their opening heats at fourth stop on the ASP World Tour, the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro at Imbituba in Santa Catarina, Brazil and will continue their event campaigns when competition resumes.

Reyes won his Round 1 heat over nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater, 37, relegating the legend to Round 2, while advancing directly through to Round 3.

“There are some pretty fun waves out there, but our heat was pretty slow,” Reyes said. ”I think Kelly (Slater) needed a 2-something at the end and I just went in. I was exhausted and wasn’t going to chase him around for a 2. He easily could have got it, but he didn’t. The clock wound down and I came away with the win.”

Reyes got off to a slow start in 2009, but is hoping the early round victory will help build some momentum for his season.

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“I’ve had some pretty close heats this season and things just haven’t gone my way,” Reyes said. ”I was pretty frustrated, especially in Tahiti, and I was almost ready to throw in the towel and sit down for the remainder of the year. After Tahiti, I went and got some waves to myself and cleared my head. My sponsor (of 10 years) O’Neill really stood behind me and I’ve come to Brazil looking for a result. I feel like my surfing is there and if I can start stringing together some results, I’m sure my confidence will return.”

Ward aslo had early round success, advancing directly into Round 3 with a Round 1 heat win over Australian Ben Dunn, 23, and fellow American Damien Hobgood, 29.

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