Vans US Open of Surging once again overtakes the Huntington Beach Pier.
It was another banner week for the US Open of Surfing. The annual event, held in Huntington Beach, California, is the largest surfing competition in the world. Attended by nearly half a million people, the tourney is so much more than surfing. With simultaneous skate and BMX competitions, a sizable sponsor village replete with the usual swag and samples, a public skate bowl, live music, and dozens of other crowd-pleasing activities the US Open of Surfing has been converted into a nine-day, free-to-the-public party for young and old, families and friends. The 2013 competition was certainly no exception.
The main event did take place on the water where surfers from around the world and across the country battled it out in cool Pacific waters. After a grueling week of competition, for the men, Brazilian Alejo Muniz beat out Kolohe Andino of the United States, taking home the first prize purse of $100,000. Muniz who took the early lead in the final heat with an impressive 8.43 score after executing a series of nearly flawless frontside turns. It was an emotional day for Alejo as the win marked the largest of his career and coincided with the anniversary of Muniz’s grandfather’s death. After dedicating the win to him, Muniz said, “I was putting everything in to this event and the work paid off. I focused more on myself rather than who I was surfing against and what scores they were getting. I’ve been getting good scores, but losing heats for some reason. I knew inside that I just needed to get the good waves and surf how I could. I’m stoked that I was able to do it this week. I think I surfed smart all week and it’s been amazing.”
The ladies events were no less exciting with Hawaiian Carissa Moore ousting crowd favorite, local Courtney Conlogue. Despite a late surge in the final heat and the roaring shout of the fans, the Hawaiian was crowned the champion of the Vans US Open of Surfing. The win came as a surprise even to Moore, as the roaring crowd seemed to seal her fate.
After the competition, Moore commented, “To be honest I’m a little shocked right now because I thought Courtney (Conlogue) won when the crowd erupted on that last wave . . .I let her go and I had priority and it was a bad decision, but I’m stoked that it worked out in my favor. I was happy to be in the final and Courtney’s in the title race and I had fun, but I was definitely nervous at the end of that heat. It’s such an honor to win this event in front of this big crowd. I feel amazing!”
Vans US Open also features a Pro Junior competition for both the men and women. The Open is vital to qualifications for the ASP World Junior Championships and continued to draw top-notch, 21-and-under surfers from around the world to compete for the title. This year, California local, Conner Coffin, and South African, Bianca Buitendag won the four-star surfing competition.
The festivities were not limited to the water! Title sponsor, Vans, put on an amazing Coachella-type event featuring groups such as The Faint, Twin Shadow, FMLYBND, Matt Costa and Modest Mouse. The popular groups played to sea of while bathing-suit clad, surf enthusiasts dancing on the sand.
In the cool of the evening, the energetic crowd spread out their towels and laid back to catch Vans Movies on the Beach series including the premiere of the Joel Tudor Documentary. The weekend brought an even bigger party for the late night crowd – with the Post Show event and festivities.
The party came to an end on Sunday and reluctant fans packed up their things and headed home… but not before they donned the beaches to try their own hand at surfing and soak up some rays. An all-out event for sure, Vans US Open of Surfing is an annual tradition that Southern California loves to celebrate.
View the NEC Ideas full gallery of photos here.
