o-Cal Local, Griffin Colapinto earns a near perfect 9.67 to take the Men’s Junior Championship. Photo by Michael Lallande.
Each year, half a million some people flock to Huntington Beach for one of the world’s largest surfing competitions. Vans US Open of Surfing has become a Southern California tradition, drawing people of all ages, sizes, and interests for the 9-day spectacle. In the water, you’ll find 200 of the world’s most accomplished surfers competing for the top honor and a kitty of $100,000 for the winner of the men’s competition and $60,000 for the winner of the women’s competition.
Out of the water, the competition continues with skateboard and BMX battles donning the beach while local establishments and big name sponsors compete for the business of thousands of sun and sport-enthusiasts. The event provides a big economic boom for the trendy So-Cal town. Vans North American general manager, Doug Palladini, said it best. “This truly the epicenter of action sports on the planet. This is the destination for surfing, for skateboarding and for BMX.”
This year’s competition has been fraught with surprises and upsets. Bailey Nagy, defending Junior’s Champ, was ousted in the Quarterfinals; Tyler Wright, the 2014 US Open of Surfing Women’s Champion was out-surfed in Round 2; in the Quarterfinals, Bianca Buitendag upset Carissa Moore, two-time WSL Champion; and Johanne Defay advanced to the Seminfinals after defeating 2012 US Open of Surfing champion, Lakey Peterson.
Caroline Marks celebrates her win. Photo by Michael Lallande.
The final day of competition will feature the Women’s Semifinals and Finals and the men’s Quarterfinals, Semis, and Final competition. It will be a jam-packed day of surf and sand before a blow-out crowd who knows how to enjoy a summer weekend, surf-style.
