US
Open of Surfing Still Off the Wall
Written
by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Action footwear and apparel brand Vans is back on board for another US Open of Surfing (USOS) in Huntington Beach (July 25 – August 2).
Along with the surf side viewing stands, there’s a sponsors’
village, on-site Vans retail store, and more. Lots more!
Positioned on the pier with a bird’s eye view of the
action, SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel could see that everyone
was sharing the stoke.
Vans has stated that it’s eager to create a community and
family-friendly environment.
Doug
Palladini, Vans Vice President and General Manager of North
America, said, “The
Vans family, along with partners IMG, WSL and the City of Huntington Beach, is
looking forward to our third straight year of providing action sports and
summer fun for thousands of fans within this historic surf community.”
Huntington Beach is used to being in the limelight, as it
was earlier this summer when it staged its Epic Big Board Ride to break two
Guinness World Records for the Largest
surfboard and Most people riding a
board.
A key stop on the men’s and women’s pro surfing tours,
the USOS always attracts the world’s top surfers and this year is true to form.
The 2014 Mens and Womens USOS winners, Felipe Toledo and Tyler Wright, are back to try for two-peats.
Other top surfers in the men’s lineup include: Brazilians
Willian Cardoso, who finished 2nd last
year, Alejo Muniz, and Caio Ibelli. The women’s lineup features: Californians Courtney Conlogue and Lakey
Peterson and Brazilian Silvana Lima.
And local favorite Brett
Simpson, who’s the only surfer to win the USOS in back-to back years – 2009
and 2010 – is a solid contender and crowd-pleaser.
All in all, over 300 world-class athletes – in surf,
skate and BMX events – are expected to compete.
During the week 500,000 people are anticipated to come
out to watch the competitions and join in the festivities.
Stop by the Vans Custom
Culture booth and you can enter the contest to design your own dream shoes…
with a chance that Vans will make them.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti could feel all the excitement around
us as people hugged the pier railing to get a good view or crammed into the
surfing village.
Surfrider
Foundation members from the Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter were out
to see the events, too, and a beach cleanup is scheduled with sponsor Red Bull.
Fiat’s
500
AWD all-wheel-drive model
and Jeep’s new
Cherokee are both drawing attention.
F45,
the functional team-training program that originated in Australia, is on hand
with an elaborate, multi-story fitness center set up on the sand...
and a contest with a $5,000 winner’s payout.
Even though World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater isn’t competing this year, his presence can be felt at
sponsor PB Teen’s booth, which is
showing his line of eco-friendly furniture and accessories.
Pacifico,
G-Shock and GoPro are back
again, too.
And Samsung is
drawing crowds with its futuristic, Galaxy virtual reality display.
The Open not only generates a lot of enthusiasm for
surfing, but adds over $20 million to the OC economy.
On a warm California day it’s nice to indulge in cool
treats and find a shady spot to escape the heat.
All in all, it’s a great time to chill out in Surf City
USA.
Please post your comment below.
Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted
material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com
Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites
as long as credit is given.
