Surfers Head to Surf City!
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Cowabunga! Vans US Open of Surfing is back in Huntington Beach (July 23-31) with 500,000 people hitting the sand and streets to watch the week-long surfing action.
Some of the largest cash prizes in the sport are at stake and the opportunity to accumulate ranking points on the surf tour.
Last year’s USOS champions Hiroto Ohhara from Japan and Johanne Defay from France will be trying for repeats. They were both underdogs when they staged their upset wins. But,that’s definitely not the case now.
Brazilians Felipe Toledo and Alejo Muniz – both former USOS champions – want to get back on the winners’ platform. Local favorite Courtney Conlogue from Santa Ana, who won the event in 2009, is eager for another shot at the crown, too. And, as the top ranked woman in the world, she is a strong contender.
Two-time champion (2009 & 2010), HB’s own Brett Simpson, is on the scene, too, and is a fan fav with supporters hoping he can three-peat.
With so many returning stars and up-and-coming surf athletes, there’s no telling who will take home the men’s and women’s champion trophies.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in style, Vans – the Off the Wall shoe company – has transformed this year’s Vans USOS into a festival of discovery with creative workshops,
classic games and interactive activities for all.
The event is about surfing and more. It has evolved into one of the premiere action and sports festivals in the world.
Kevin Bailey, VF and Vans Global Action Sports and Outdoor Brand President, says Vans has been “counting the days” until the event and is excited to be “once again in iconic Surf City, USA to celebrate the world’s greatest athletes in surf, skate, and BMX.”
In addition to putting the best men’s and women’s surfers on center stage, the USOS is also the setting for new inductees into the Surfing Walk of Fame (Thursday, July 28) and Surfers’ Hall of Fame (Friday, July 29).
Among the new inductees are sentimental favorites, brothers Ryan and Timmy Turner, whose family runs HB’s Sugar Shack restaurant on Main Street, and surfing pastor Rev. Blaine “Sumo” Sato.
And longboarding fans won’t want to miss the Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational part of the Open (July 29 and 30) that has longboarders in the spotlight showcasing their best moves.
Skate and BMX enthusiasts can watch the world’s top skaters and riders compete in a custom-designed concrete bowl on the sand.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are always amazed that there’s so much to see and that the Open is an event the whole community can enjoy. It’s a week to have fun at the beach, take a break and let yourself chill.
Hosted in partnership with the World Surf League and event owner and operator IMG, official sponsors of this year’s USOS include Vans, Samsung Galaxy, Jeep, Go Pro, AirBnB, Pacifico, Workday, Credit Karma, G-Shock, and LifeProof.
With so much going on,
it’s time to put on your sunscreen and head to Surf City!.
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