WET ‘N’ WILD WITH ROCKIN’ FIG:

The ballots for the 15th year of the Surfing Walk of Fame are being reviewed as voters worldwide cast their votes. The July 24 induction ceremony will be at 10 a.m. in front of Jack’s Surf Boards, on Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

Surfers were nominated based on their achievements within the surfing community at least 10 years prior to this 2008 induction. The categories are Surfing Champions, Surf Pioneer, Woman of the Year, Surf Culture, Local Hero, and Honor Roll.

We have already seen some pretty big Champions, including our own P.T. Peter Townend, who got his star in ’98.

Possible selections this year could be repeat winner of the U.S. Open Rob Machado; Newport Beach ripper Richie Collins, an O.P. winner in ’89; Hawaiian Triple Crown star Michael Ho, or brother Derek a former world champ in ’93; and Katin winner Joey Buran.

In Surf Pioneers surfers are famous big-wave riders, shapers and overall rippers. The inaugural was Duke Kahanamoku, the “Father of Surfing,” in 1994.

Possible selections this year: Hawaiian Ben Aipa, a great surfer and shaper; big wave charger Ricky Grigg Triple Crown Director and shaper Randy Rarick; Hawaiian, Sunset Beach stand-out surfer “B.K.” Barry Kanaiaupuni or maybe Dewey Weber, known for his killer old-school surfboards.

Women of the Year category has seen stars on Main Street, including NSSA director and four-time world champ Lisa Andersen in ’04, who lives in H.B. and is still ripping our local beach breaks.

Possibilities include South Africa’s Wendy Botha, a former world champ a few times; movie star Annette Funicello; local gal rippa Nea Post; or former world champ in ’90 Pam Burridge.

Local Heroes must be a 10-year resident, have gone to school in the Huntington Beach district and surf champs, or contributed to Huntington surf Culture.

This year’s possibilities: Joey Hawkins, long board world champ in ’92; George Draper, owner of Georges Surf Center back in the day; Jeff Deffenbaugh, a former top 30 in the world; and brother Barry, a killer shaper; and yup, even the Figster, U.S. Open announcer for more than 15 years.

Surfing Culture nominees were selected for their help in the arts and administration aspects that defined beach culture. Inductees include wet-suit maker Jack O’Neill, who was inducted in ’98.

So many deserving people this year: Dick Dale, king of the surf guitar; Sandra Dee “Gidget,”; Ian Cairns, founder of the ASP Surfing tour; John Milius, “Big Wednesday” director; and Sean Collins, premiere forecaster for Surfline. So, top-secret info, for those Walk of Fame Stars!

Love this hot weather, Fig over and out.

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM (106.7) surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.