Open Season

The U.S. Open of Surfing returns to local shores

A A A Comments By JOSH CAIN Thursday, Aug 5 2010

They don’t call it Surf City USA for nothing. For the 51st time in as many years, Huntington Beach plays host to the U.S. Open of Surfing.

Courtesy U.S. Open of Surfing

Courtney Conlogue, a Santa Ana native and the 2009 Women's U.s. Open of Surfing champion

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The event, which was upgraded in July to an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Prime event, features some of the best surfers in the world. Legends such as Kelly Slater and Rob Machado are tearing up the waves alongside local amateurs.

One of them is Brett Simpson, but an amateur he is not. The man whom locals call “Simpo” is the defending Open champion, the first H.B. resident to win that title—and most of the expected 500,000 spectators are likely rooting for him to win it again.

But there are other OC competitors, including the Gudauskas brothers and junior surfers Kolohe Andino and Luke Davis. (Go ahead and click here to learn more about them.)

While many qualifying events have already happened, there’s still time to catch the men and women of surf in action. Plus, there are multiple skate and BMX events, as well as live music, art displays and dozens of vendors crowding the festival village. And it’s all free.

So take advantage of the summer sun that finally showed up in OC and treat yourself to a day (or four) at the beach.

For schedules and additional info, go to www.usopenofsurfing.com.

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