There’s no place like home.

Oh, to sleep in one’s own bed. And the Mexican food – how they missed the authenticity of burritos Southern California offers.

Orange County’s four World Tour surfers – Brett Simpson, Nate Yeomans, Patrick and Tanner Gudauskas – who are living life jet-setting around the globe and competing against the best surfers in the world, are home at last catching up with friends and prepping to compete in the U.S. Open of Surfing.

The contest is happen now, with the women’s heats starting at 7:30 a.m. and running until 3:30 p.m.

Since the year started and the four friends, all rookies, landed a spot among the elite 45 on the World Tour, they’ve battled in the best waves the world has to offer, had the opportunity to see exotic lands, and learned that life in the big leagues can be tough – but also really fun.

“It’s been busy. It’s cool, you see fresh faces and places that always keep it interesting,” said San Clemente surfer Nate Yeomans. “I’ve been enjoying every spot.”

For Patrick Gudauskas, who is on the tour along with younger brother Tanner, surfing with guys like Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning and Jordy Smith – in the world’s best waves – is the best part.

“It’s everyone’s dream to surf J-Bay with two guys out. For me, it’s great to surf against the best guys in the world, I think it’s been helpful for my surfing,” he said.
Meet the OC World Tour surfers in the slideshow below:

But then there are the moments outside of the water, like taking a safari in Africa where elephants are eating trees above you as you sleep. The Gudauskas’ parents met the brothers for the journey.

“It was this different world, raw and rustic,” Patrick said. “It was insane. It was just beautiful. The energy of the place is crazy.”

The surfers have four out of five contest completed before a mid-year cut determines whether they can stay on the World Tour for the remainder of the year. New rules this year say only the top 32 of 45 can stay on tour after Teahupoo, Tahiti, so many surfers are scrambling to do as many 6-star PRIME events – which the U.S. Open of Surfing was changed to this year – because of the high points offered in counting toward next year’s selection. Winning a prime event is equal to getting third place in a World Tour event.

Unless they can get a solid result in Teahupoo, they may need the U.S. Open of Surfing points. The only one who is in a somewhat comfortable spot is Simpson, who made it to the fourth round at the Billabong Pro at Jefferys Bay, Africa.

“I don’t have as much pressure. Guys have to do really well to pass me,” he said. “I’m just trying to relax and enjoy it, rather than stress it.”

Simpson said he’s been hanging with the Hobgood brothers – CJ and Damien – seasoned Americans who have been on the tour more than a decade. They’ve been showing him the ropes: where to go, secret surf spots, the good places to eat.

“They’ve had their arms open,” Simpson said. “They are just good guys to be around.”

Tanner Gudauskas, like his brother, sits on the bubble of being able to stay on the tour. He’s surfed Teahupoo twice, and generally does well in heavy, barreling waves.

“I’ve had a couple of really fun sessions there, I can’t wait,” he said. “I hope it gets bigger, and maybe opens up the playing field more.”

Yeomans said he’s not a fan of the changes the Association of Surfing Professionals made this year, but he’s taken the mindset of “going for broke.”

“It’s not the ideal position, but you don’t have anything to lose,” he said. “It’s more ‘who is going to go all out for the biggest and best waves’. It’s a good shot to beat some of the best guys.”

But first, there’s the U.S. Open of Surfing, a spot where all of them have the home-surf advantage. While Simpson is the only one that calls it his hometown break – while the others lean more toward Trestles near San Clemente – they’ve all put in countless hours at the pier in Huntington.

There are more than 200 surfers who show up to compete at the U.S. Open of Surfing, and again this year a large crop – 33 of 45 confirmed – World Tour surfers have signed up. Pitting World Qualifying Series, similar to the minor leagues, against the World Tour surfers makes the competition harder for up-and-comers, but as Simpson showed last year – anything is possible.

Simpson will be defending his title, after winning a huge victory last year against now World Champion Mick Fanning, which helped him earn his spot on the tour this year. He said he felt like more was on the line last year, and this year he’s feeling more relaxed.

“I surf out here on a daily basis, so I’m going to stick with what I know and hopefully have a reenactment,” he said.

All four surfers grew up surfing the event, and said you can’t beat the vibe of the crowd when it comes to Huntington Beach and the U.S. Open of Surfing.

“I love doing the event every year,” said Tanner Gudauskas, who won the junior’s division two years ago. “As far as venues go, I think it’s the best in the world. It’s really a good vibe out there.”

Here’s a bit more info on our local surfers:

Patrick Gudauskas:

Hometown: San Clemente

Age: 24

Main Sponsor: Vans

Three things he misses about home: His own bed, home-cooked meals, family and friends.

Lessons learned on tour: “Don’t hold anything back. Use all your resources to help learn about the waves, venues, people etc.“

Tanner Gudauskas:

Hometown: San Clemente

Age: 22

Main Sponsor: Vans

Three things he misses about home: Hanging out with friends, Pedros burritos, Juice It Up

Lessons learned on tour: “Focusing on improving instead of results. In all aspects of life, not just contests. It is better to travel than to arrive!”

Brett Simpson:

Hometown: San Clemente

Age: 25

Main Sponsor: Hurley

Three things he misses about home: Mexican food, family, and having a set regimen

Lessons learned on tour: “Pressure-wise, everyone wants you to do well and succeed. It’s for you to go out there and perform at the highest level. It helps my result if I don’t have as much pressure. I’m just trying to relax and enjoy it, rather than stress it.”

Nate Yeomans:

Hometown: San Clemente

Age: 28

Main Sponsor: Rusty

Three things he misses about home: Spending time with wife, my own bed, Mexican food

Lessons learned on tour: “You have to learn to evolve. You try to plan things out the best you can, but it always changes. Roll with the punches.”

Overwhelmed by the U.S. Open of Surfing? Check out our guide that breaks down the basics here.

SLIDESHOWS:

Day 1: Check out scene and some of the early surf shots

Day 2: Check out juniors heat up and crowds

Save this link as your favorites and follow the U.S. Open through the week:

http://beach.orangecounty.com/category/surfing/u-s-open-of-surfing-2010/

Enter your photos from the U.S. Open of Surfing for a chance to win a new Timmy Patterson surfboard. Log in at orangecounty.com/photo, set up a  profile and put in your snaps from the week. After the contest ends,  a team of judges will pick their favorites.

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