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Welcome to the US Open Surfing
Huntington Beach!
During the US Open,
scenic Huntington Beach is Surf City of the world.
In the world of surfing, the US Open
in Huntington Beach is what Wimbledon is to tennis, the Masters is to
golf, the Super Bowl is to football. In 2009, it runs through July 26.
This is the biggest championship, the one all surfers want to win,
the most awesome tournament of them all. Huntington Beach, with its
signature pier, Surfing Walk of Fame, much-traveled Main Street and
those California girls, is the idyllic setting for such a scene, the
perfect place to search for the perfect wave. Or at least one good enough
to propel a competitor to victory. For
a look at Huntington Beach's bars and nightlife, click here.
Surf's up, and so are the people, for this annual giant event.
Each summer, the planet's top pros paddle out in this famous surf to
claim their most cherished championship. And the setting could not be
more ideal. Huntington Beach builds itself as "Surf City USA"
– although Santa Cruz some five hours up the California coast contests
this title – yet on this summer weekend at end of July it's the
surfing capitol of the world.
Yes, there's the world famous surf, but also other attractions.
As proof, tens of thousands of people stroll to the strand, making
it as much of a scene on around the beach as out on the ocean. On the
weekend, as many as 100,000 converge at the city's famous pier, making
it one of Southern California's largest events.
Surfers work their way through preliminary rounds, competing for the
same waves in groups of four, in order to advance to the final rounds
on the weekend. In the semifinals and finals, just two surfers take
to the water at the same time.
They have just 15 minutes to catch as
many rides as possible, with the goal of impressing judges with their
creativity and style. Short boarders are the most exciting to watch,
as they make hard cuts like a race car driver attacking a hard turn
on a road course, and as the wave rides itself out, the surfers often
pound their board by bouncing on it in an effort to maximize the ride
– and the points.
Surfers catch waves to score points with the judges.
The city's famous beach is packed with spectators all week.
In 2009, the record $100,000 prize was won by Brett Simpson. Rob Machado of nearby Cardiff has won has won this event a record three times. Legendary Kelly Slater and three-time world champion Andy Irons also think it's a "swell" idea and hit in the waves.
Courtney Conlogue of nearby Santa Ana won the 2009 women's championship.
Surfers sign autographs (top) while a people attend a demo (below).
Yet there is much more to the US Open Surfing Championships than simply surfing. The beach is like a modern-day carnival with sideshows, entertainment and huge tents welcoming and even educating visitors.
From the grandstands or the stands, people watch the surfing stars.
Hurley is the (very) obvious main sponsor this year and it has an air-conditioned welcome center – yes, a welcome center – adjacent to a retail outlet the size of a small store. Further down the sand, it has a "Sacred Craft" tent which features a Hurley expert demonstrating things such as how to properly paint a surfboard. It has a few rows of seats, giving it the same intimate atmosphere of the small magician's rooms at the Magic Castle.
There are as many corporate tents as grains of sand, or so it seems. A large stage features live bands. It's between two high grandstands, one featuring BMX bikers and another skateboarders, each performing on a specifically-built platform.
Beyond the beach, there are sports such as skateboarding.
And oh yeah, there's surfing. And there are grandstands for that, as well, though some people prefer to suntan on the sand.
Because of all the corporate involvement, all this is free and open to the public.
Up on Main Street, surfers gather at the Surfing Walk
of Fame to sign autographs and people fill the streets, plus the restaurants
and bars, to spend the day and go deep into the night. Among their favorite
places are Sharkeez, with its fun-friendly attitude and buckets
of drinks, Hurricane's with its upstairs balcony and the traditional
dive Perq's. After all, this is a beach and the Huntington Beach
Open is also a party.
Ridin' the waves,
super longboard style; this set a world record in 2005.
Surfer girls are all part of the scenery at the surf championships.
As proof of its corporate popularity, tents pop up all along the sand.
Hangin' 10 of another
sort: The BMX biking demonstration.
Making a way down Main Street, headed toward the beach.
After a day in the
sun, people surf over to Main Street for the nightlife.
 Ride
the Virtual Party Bus to The Best of L.A.
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