It will be a battle on the beach to decide who will take home the big Vans US Open of Surfing title in Huntington Beach.
Will one of the world’s top competitive surfers prove why they are among the best in the board sport? Or will they be toppled by hungry surfers hoping to earn valuable points while climbing their way to a win during the nine-day surf contest?
No matter who claims the title on Aug. 7, spectators are guaranteed an explosive show in the surf arena on the south side of the famed Huntington Beach Pier.
“It’s an exciting event where there’s always a few underdogs who kind of break through,” said Ryan Simmons, USA Surfing coach and a longtime announcer for the competition. “Everyone is gnarly. Anyone can win the event.”
The US Open of Surfing, which kicks off Saturday, July 30, draws a mix of competitors: surfers who grew up on the amateur circuit proving themselves at the same world-famous surf break, as well as international athletes who travel from afar for a chance at the coveted title.
A strong finish at the US Open, recently made a stop on the World Surf League’s eight-event Challenger Series, could also mean big points for those looking for a chance to join the ranks of the world’s best. It also allows surfers at risk of falling off the World Tour a chance to earn valuable points to stay in the hunt.
In the men’s event, there are 96 surfers who will paddle out, several of whom already have a US Open title under their belt.
Last year’s winner, Griffin Colapinto, of San Clemente, is one of the surfers to watch as he looks to defend his title. Colapinto is having a breakout year on the World Tour, currently ranked fifth after two huge wins – first in Portugal in March and again in El Salvador in June.
Also looking for another US Open title is Kanoa Igarashi, who grew up surfing the Huntington Beach Pier and knows the break better than most of his peers. Igarashi is also an Olympic silver medalist, surfing for host country Japan in the sport’s debut last year.
“Guys who have done well in the past always seem to do well,” Simmons said.
San Clemente’s Kolohe Andino, who grew up competing against Igarashi and in the same town as Colapinto, has come painfully close to winning this event, so perhaps this could be his year.
But don’t count out the international competitors, including Brazilian world champion and Olympic gold medalist Italo Ferreira, who is signed up for the event. Ferreira has an explosive style that always wows judges and crowds alike.
The fourth-ranked Ferreira, who is in no danger of falling off the World Tour, will be one of the bigger names in the event.
Then, there is the long list of younger surfers hoping to earn big points in their quest to become top professionals – among the local up-and-comers to root for are San Clemente surfers Kei Kobayashi, Kade Matson and Jett Schilling.
Another local surfer to watch is Long Beach’s Nolan Rapoza, who grew up surfing the Huntington Beach Pier and had a strong third-place finish at last year’s event.
On the women’s side, Santa Ana’s Courtney Conlogue is always a crowd favorite. The two-time US Open winner is looking to win for the first time since 2018.
Conlogue will have to navigate a field that includes fellow World Tour surfers Lakey Peterson, of Santa Barbara, and Caroline Marks, who lives in San Clemente. And there are several other standout San Clemente-based surfers to keep an eye on, including Sawyer Lindblad and Kirra Pinkerton.
“They are doing well and looking to get a big breakthrough result that would help them to qualify,” Simmons said of the younger surfers looking to overtake the veterans on tour.
Last year’s winner, Caitlin Simmers, from Oceanside, is back to defend her title.
One of the women on the list of competitors who has created waves this year is Hawaii’s Moana Jones Wong, who dominated in big surf at Pipeline against the world’s best at the start of what has been a competitive season.
While she’s known for her barrel-riding skills, fans will be eager to see how Jones Wong handles Huntington Beach’s smaller beach break conditions. A few strong results on the Challenger Series could mean a spot on the World Tour, where she would no doubt be a threat.
Then, from Aug. 3-7, longboarding fans will get to see the best loggers at the Vans Duct Tape Invitational. This year’s competition will be sanctioned by the World Surf League for the first time ever – it is the second stop of the World Surf Longboard Tour.
Forty of the world’s best male and female longboarders will compete for a shot at the Longboard World Title, which will be decided in Malibu in October.
Three-time WSL longboard champion Honolua Blomfield, of Hawaii, and 2021 runner-up Harrison Roach, of Australia, are leading the rankings going into the event.
Source: Orange County Register
Be First to Comment