Participating in the Bank of the West Beach Games: The "Grand Daddy" of North American action sports events; Brett Simpson. © Getty Images
Life's a Beach
Jul 20 2006 / Los Angeles, CASurf City Hosts U.S. Open of Surfing
If it’s July, it’s time to pull out the board shorts and head down to the HB Pier. The nine-day extravaganza called Bank of the West Beach Games returns to Huntington Beach (“Surf City, USA”) July 21 to 30, 2006. This is the Grand Daddy of North American action sports events; the Vegas of surfing with over 500,000 spectators, a host of entertainment stages, peripheral activities and tribes of hardcore fans who pack the sand to watch the competition.
The giant Honda U.S. Open of Surfing (formerly the US Championships) anchors the event, boasting North America’s only six-star World Qualifying Series-rated men’s and women’s competitions, longboarding and men’s and women’s junior disciplines. As work crews snap together the last bleachers, and put the finishing touches on the nearby Tiki village, this year’s event promises to be as big and bad as ever.
Technically, the US Open is an all-access event. Just about anyone can get in, but the truth is that because of its high ratings on the circuit, a lot of Big Names surf this contest. It may not be Pipeline or Trestles but the world’s best show up. Last year, three-time reigning world champion Andy Irons and crowd favorite Rob Machado battled it out in a nerve-wracking final.
Nevermind that the hype doesn’t always match the waves. Summer in Huntington can mean mediocre surf near the famed pier. Sometimes it’s a surfers ability to perform in sub-par conditions that divides the groms from the pros. Maintaining speed, pulling tricks and destroying mid-sized waves takes real talent. This year, superstars such as defending champion Andy Irons, Kelly Slater, and Cory Lopez will be joined by SoCal pros Brett Simpson, Jeremy Sherwin, Chris Ward and others to compete for a prize purse of over $125,000.
Whatever the conditions, the event has enough sideshows to keep it interesting. Skaters and bikers drop into the 13 foot deep kidney-shaped pool at the Soul Bowl, FMX demos take place, DJs and live bands crank loud music, and dozens of sponsor tents promote new products to the massive crowds.
In 1960, the women's division was added to the US Championships. Today the Women's US Open of Surfing attracts top female surfers including 2005 returning champion Julia Christian, Rochelle Ballard, Holly Beck, Karina Petroni, Nikitta Rob along with teen phenom Erica Hoessini and longboarder Kim Hamrock.
With all the local and international talent, anything can and does happen at this comp. The next superstar might easily emerge from the pack to become part of the U.S. Open’s colorful and coveted history.
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The giant Honda U.S. Open of Surfing (formerly the US Championships) anchors the event, boasting North America’s only six-star World Qualifying Series-rated men’s and women’s competitions, longboarding and men’s and women’s junior disciplines. As work crews snap together the last bleachers, and put the finishing touches on the nearby Tiki village, this year’s event promises to be as big and bad as ever.
Technically, the US Open is an all-access event. Just about anyone can get in, but the truth is that because of its high ratings on the circuit, a lot of Big Names surf this contest. It may not be Pipeline or Trestles but the world’s best show up. Last year, three-time reigning world champion Andy Irons and crowd favorite Rob Machado battled it out in a nerve-wracking final.
Nevermind that the hype doesn’t always match the waves. Summer in Huntington can mean mediocre surf near the famed pier. Sometimes it’s a surfers ability to perform in sub-par conditions that divides the groms from the pros. Maintaining speed, pulling tricks and destroying mid-sized waves takes real talent. This year, superstars such as defending champion Andy Irons, Kelly Slater, and Cory Lopez will be joined by SoCal pros Brett Simpson, Jeremy Sherwin, Chris Ward and others to compete for a prize purse of over $125,000.
Whatever the conditions, the event has enough sideshows to keep it interesting. Skaters and bikers drop into the 13 foot deep kidney-shaped pool at the Soul Bowl, FMX demos take place, DJs and live bands crank loud music, and dozens of sponsor tents promote new products to the massive crowds.
In 1960, the women's division was added to the US Championships. Today the Women's US Open of Surfing attracts top female surfers including 2005 returning champion Julia Christian, Rochelle Ballard, Holly Beck, Karina Petroni, Nikitta Rob along with teen phenom Erica Hoessini and longboarder Kim Hamrock.
With all the local and international talent, anything can and does happen at this comp. The next superstar might easily emerge from the pack to become part of the U.S. Open’s colorful and coveted history.
