Vans US Open of Surfing to Feature Its First-Ever Cement Bowl Skateboarding Contest on Sand

All the action at July's Vans US Open of Surfing will not be in the waters off Huntington Beach–and no, that's not a reference to the young things prancing near the pier in nothing but dental floss.

Vans has announced the debut of the Van Doren Invitational, an invite-only bowl riding competition featuring 40 of the world's best skateboarders, including Vans' own bowl-riding phenom Pedro Barros.

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Barros will be coming off his third straight X-Games Park title, won last month at X-Games Barcelona. In Surf City, he'll be competing with the likes of legends Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi, past bowl champs Ben Raybourn and Raven Tershy, up-and-comers Colin Provost and Greyson Fletcher and fellow Vans Pro riders Tony Trujillo and Curren Caples for a share of $100,000 in prize money.

For what's billed as the first-time ever at the US Open, a cement bowl is to be constructed on the sand in Huntington Beach by California Skateparks, inspired by the design of the legendary Skatepark du Prado bowl on the beach in Marseilles, France.

Trick riders will get a chance to compete for “Cardiel Cash,” a new contest judged by Vans legend John Cardiel. Women's skateboarding and BMX bouts are also planned during the weeklong celebration near the pier.

“It truly is an honor to have the Van Doren family name be a part of this historic festival,” says Steve Van Doren, VP of Events and Promotions, in a Vans statement, “and I look forward to all of the action in the water and on the cement!”

It's free to watch the Van Doren Invitational bowl jam Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28. Visit www.vansusopenofsurfing.com for webcast information, contest info, schedules, confirmed athlete lists, rider profiles, photos, videos and more.

Email: mc****@oc******.com. Twitter: @MatthewTCoker. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!

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