The US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach, California

An Annual Southern California Surf Festival

July 16, 2008 - The hot summer days of late July annually bring to Huntington Beach, California many of the top professional and amateur surfers from around the world for the Honda US Open of Surfing competition and festival. One of the premiere surfing events in the world, the Honda US Open of Surfing also brings thousands of visitors to the Huntington Beach Pier every year. In addition, the sand surrounding the Honda US Open stadium grows into a mini tent city with numerous displays, vendors, and extreme sporting events. For ten days the downtown Huntington Beach area becomes one giant beach party.

The history of the US Open of Surfing began in 1959 when it was called the United States Surfing Championship. After 1973, the contest was renamed the OP Pro. In 1994, the contest became known as the US Open of Surfing and is the largest surfing contest in the world. The event draws about 600 competitors from all over the world and more than 400,000 spectators every year.

Several surfing events are held each year during the Honda US Open of Surfing. On land, the Surfing Hall of Fame inducts its new members during a special ceremony held in front of Huntington Surf & Sport on Main St. Past inductees include: Corky Carroll, Kelly Slater, Jack O'Neill, David Nuuhiwa, and Rob Machado. In the water, the event consists of five separate contests: men's ASP WQS 6-star qualifying series, women's ASP WQS qualifying series, men's Pro Junior, women's Super-girl Pro Junior, and the ASP Long-boarding competition. Top surfers from all over the world competing in the 2008 Honda US Open of Surfing include former world champion Sunny Garcia and world tour stars Chris Ward, Tim Reyes, and Taylor Knox.