Surf Open Brings Friends Together

Surfrider Huntington Beach Celebrates Ohana!

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

The opening day of Vans US Open of Surfing (July 28th) was the perfect time for the Surfrider Foundation's Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter to celebrate the bonds of friendship and love of the ocean that bring us all together in one ohana (family).

Everyone was eager to honor Tony Soriano, the chapter's longtime chairperson, and to cheer on Stephanie Pedroza, who is taking over the helm.

Because of their hard work and leadership we are able to help clean SoCal's beaches and educate the community about ways to protect the environment.

Joe "Samoa" McMullin and his wife Lori embody the ohana spirit and made us all feel welcome in the tropical paradise they call home. With its Ocean Friendly Garden and tranquil setting, everyone was feeling good vibrations.

Joe told SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel this vibrant yellow plumeria his family brought with them from Samoa comes from a plant that's 90-years-old.

The potluck dinner was a feast with lots of different foods and colorful drinks to try, chicken wings, carne asada, chili, and more.

Good friends, good food, good fun!

A time to celebrate each other and the environment - and a week of champion surfing at Huntington Beach!

 

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

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Vans US Open of Surfing 2018

Who knows What You'll See?

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

The annual Vans US Open of Surfing (July 28 - August 5) always has something new and exciting to see. More than a champion surf event, it's a Surf/Skate/BMX extravaganza. 

Since surfers first began competing in Huntington Beach in 1959 the US Open of Surfing (now sponsored by Vans) has evolved into one of the largest action sports festivals in the country. The world’s best surfing, skateboard and BMX competitions are here along with art exhibits and hands-on creative workshops in the Van Doren Village on the beach.

It's a summer fun fest for everyone with a big dose of Huntington Beach hospitality that gets the whole community involved. And you never know what you're going to see - from sports greats and up-and-coming athletes to new surf product demos, art and outdoor movie events, athlete meet-and-greets, and more. That's part of the fun.

So, come early and stay late. Java Point Cafe in the Huntington Surf and Sport shop across the street opens at 6 AM. This is where the surfers go for coffee and breakfast treats or to grab some board wax. If you're there on August 3rd having your morning coffee, step outside the door and you can see this year's Surfers' Hall of Fame inductees - Brett Simpson, Ben Aipa and Herbie Fletcher. 

SurfWriter Girls are excited for all the new inductees…especially Ben Aipa, who we cheered on when he was honored by the Surfing Heritage & Culture Center for his illustrious boardshaping career.

This is a big year for Aipa, who is also being inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame.

The restaurants and shops along Main Street offer lots of places to hang out, enjoy a cool drink or ice cream and check out the latest surf apparel and equipment.

Fred's Mexican Cantina overlooking the HB Pier is one of SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel's favorite spots. So is Duke's. Named after surfing great Duke Kahanamoku, it's so close to the surfing action that you can feel the ocean spray.

And, while surfing history is being made, drop in to the International Surfing Museum on Olive Avenue to see how it all began.

The beach itself definitely will have some surprises on hand – in the water and on the sand. When Fiat introduced its Fiat 500 mini-cars it floated them in the ocean in front of the viewing stands.

One of McDonald's first McCafes showed up here – as a pop-up on the boardwalk. GoPro - maker of the ever-present cameras that go anywhere to capture the action - made its debut here.

And Kelly Slater gave people a first glimpse at his line of cool home products that turn any room into a beach retreat at the USOS.

There's so much to see and do, everyone loves the Open! Well, almost everyone. 

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

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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.