Sunday, July 22, 2018

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. 





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. 


No comments:

Post a Comment