US Open of Surfing explained

The U.S. Open of Surfing is a week-long surfing competition held annually during the summer in Huntington Beach, California. Generally held on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier, the U.S. Open is part of the qualification process for the World Surf League and is a WSL QS 10,000 event.^{[1] [2]} It is the largest surfing competition in the world.^[3] It has been owned by IMG since 2000.^{[4] [5]}

As part of the event, notable people in the world of surfing are added to the Surfing Walk of Fame and to the Surfers' Hall of Fame, both directly across from the pier.

History

The U.S. Open, then called the West Coast Surfing Championship, was first held in 1959. In 1964 it became known as the United States Surfing Championships. In 1982 it became known as the OP Pro for its sponsor, Ocean Pacific. The event was renamed the U.S. Open of Surfing in 1994.^[6]

The contest was traditionally held during Labor Day weekend. The event was changed to an earlier date following the 1986 event when riots occurred at the OP Pro.^[7]

Rioting again marred the 2013 U.S. Open. On the final day of the event, as the crowds left the contest area and filled Main Street, a civil disturbance erupted, resulting in property damage and several arrests and some injuries.^[8] As a result, the event owner IMG stated that in 2014 it will discontinue events such as free concerts and focus more on the sport.^[9]

Spending at the nine-day event adds $21.5 million to the Orange County economy and $16.4 million in Huntington Beach.^[2] It is attended by nearly 500,000 people.^[10]

Champions

West Coast Surfing Champions

1959: Jack Haley, Linda Benson

1960: Mike Haley, Linda Benson

1961: Ron Sizemore, Linda Benson

1962: Ilima Kalama, Gudie Wilkie

1963: LJ Richards, Candy Calhoun

United States Surfing Champions

1964: Jim Craig, Linda Benson

1965: Mark Martinson, Joyce Hoffman

1966: Corky Carroll, Joyce Hoffman

1967: Corky Carroll, Joyce Hoffman

1968: David Nuuhiwa, Linda Benson

1969: Corky Carroll, Sharron Weber

1970: David Nuuhiwa, Joyce Hoffman

1971: Brad McCaul, Jericho Poppler

1972: Dale Dobson, Mary Setterholm

Op Pro Champions

1982: Cheyne Horan, Becky Benson

1983: Tom Curren, Kim Mearig

1984: Tom Curren, Frieda Zamba

1985: Mark Occhilupo, Jodie Cooper

1986: Mark Occhilupo, Frieda Zamba

1987: Barton Lynch, Wendy Botha

1988: Tom Curren, Jorja Smith

1989: Richie Collins, Frieda Zamba

1990: Todd Holland, Frieda Zamba

1991: Barton Lynch, Frieda Zamba

1992: Team USA (Kelly Slater, Richie Collins, Todd Holland, Mike Parsons, Alisa Schwarzstein)

1993: Sunny Garcia, Kim Mearig

U.S. Open Champions

1994: Shane Beschen, Lisa Andersen

1995: Rob Machado, Neridah Falconer

1996: Kelly Slater, Layne Beachley

1997: Beau Emerton, Rochelle Ballard

1998: Andy Irons, Layne Beachley

1999: Shea Lopez, Keala Kennelly

2000: Sunny Garcia, Tita Tavares

2001: Rob Machado, Pauline Menczer

2002: Kalani Robb, Pauline Menczer

2003: Cory Lopez, Chelsea Georgeson

2004: Taj Burrow, Chelsea Georgeson

2005: Andy Irons, Julia Christian

2006: Rob Machado, Sofia Mulanovich

2007: C.J. Hobgood, Stephanie Gilmore

2008: Nathaniel Curran, Malia Manuel^[11]

2009: Brett Simpson, Courtney Conlogue^[12]

2010: Brett Simpson, Carissa Moore^[13]

2011: Kelly Slater, Sally Fitzgibbons

2012: Julian Wilson, Lakey Peterson^[14]

2013: Alejo Muniz, Carissa Moore^[15]

2014: Filipe Toledo, Tyler Wright^[16]

2015

Hiroto Ohhara, Johanne Defay^[17]

2016: Filipe Toledo, Tatiana Weston-Webb^[18]

2017: Kanoa Igarashi, Sage Erickson^[19]

2018: Kanoa Igarashi, Courtney Conlogue

2019: Yago Dora, Sage Erickson^[20]

2020: Cancelled

2021: Griffin Colapinto, Caitlin Simmers

2022: Ezekiel Lau, Bettylou-Sakura Johnson

2023: Eli Hanneman, Sawyer Lindblad^[21]

2024: Alan Cleland, Sally Fitzgibbons^[22]

U.S. Open of Longboarding Champions^[23]

Year	Pro Longboard Open
2013-2016 Duct Tape Invitational	Justin Quintal (wins 4 in a row)
2012 Pacifico Noserider Invitational	Justin Quintal
2010-2011 Pacifico Noserider Invitational	Joel Tudor (wins 2 in a row)
2010 Trestles	Steven Mangiacapre^[24]
2009 Corona Noserider Invitational	Kevin Connolly
2008	Taylor Jensen ^[2]
2007	Colin McPhillips ^[2]
2006	Dodger Kremel
2005	Joel Tudor ^[8]
2004	Brendan White
2003	Taylor Jensen
2002	Joel Tudor ^[7]
2001	Josh Baxter
1995–2000	Joel Tudor (wins 6 in a row)
1994	Colin McPhillips

Awards

Notable people are inducted into Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers' Hall of Fame each year during the U.S. Open. The Walk of Fame has plaques imbedded in the sidewalk, while the Hall of Fame has handprints. Each are located across the street from one another and across Pacific Coast Highway from the Huntington Beach Pier.

Surfing Walk of Fame

Every year the Surfing Walk of Fame at Huntington Beach inducts members in the categories of surf pioneers, surfing champions, local heroes, surf culture, woman of the year, and honor roll. Eligibility for each award are as follows:

• The surf champion must have held the world championship and/or world class event titles specific to the city of Huntington Beach.
• Woman of the Year winners are chosen based on who garners the most collective votes from the surfing champions, surfing culture, surf pioneers, and local heroes categories.
• Local Hero award winners have either resided in Huntington Beach for ten years or graduated from the Huntington Beach Union High School District and were finalists in the surfing champions category, contributed to Huntington Beach surfing culture, were surf pioneers in the city, or were champions of the annual Huntington Beach City Championships.

Year	Surfing Champion	Woman of the Year	Local Hero	Surf Pioneer	Surf Culture	Honor Roll
2024	Felipe Pomar^[25]	Sally Fitzgibbons	Jeff Deffenbaugh	Bing Copeland	Doug Warbrick, Brian Singer (founders of Rip Curl	Mike Hynson
2019	Derek Ho, Joel Tudor^[26]	Courtney Conlogue	Sam Hawk	Reynolds "Renny" Yater	Jeff Divine, Art Brewer	Don MacAllister
2018
2017	Barton Lynch^[27]	Pam Burridge	Timmy Reyes	Jeff Hakman	Jim Jenks	Huntington Beach High School 50th Anniversary Coaches
2016	C. J. Hobgood^[28]	Mary Lou McGinnis Drummy	Timmy Turner	Whitey Harrison, Joey Cabell	Bob Hurley	Women's International Surfing Association (WISA)^[29]
2015	Reno Abellira^[30]	Sofía Mulánovich	John Boozer	Paul Strauch	Dick Graham	David Nuuhiwa, Sr.
2014	Larry Bertlemann	Phyllis O'Donnell	Mike Haley^[31]	Randy Rarick^[32]	John Van Hamersveld^[33]	Vince Moorhouse^[34]
2013^[35]	Taylor Knox^[36]	Keala Kennelly^[37] Sharron Weber	Roy Crump, journalist	Donald Takayama	Jack McCoy, filmmaker	Father Christian Mondor
2012	Michael Ho	Alisa Schwarzstein-Cairns	George Draper	Michael Peterson and Dick Brewer	Sean Collins^[38]	Stacy Wood, Dwyer Middle School surf coach^[39]
2011^[40]	Rob Machado	Debbie Beacham Kathy "Gidget" Kohner	Bill Fury	Skip Frye	Dick Dale	Hole in the Wall Gang surf team
2010	Sunny Garcia, Ian Cairns	Candy Calhoun	Rick "Rockin Fig" Fignetti	Dewey Weber	Dave Rochlen	Dick Baker
2009	Mark Martinson	Wendy Botha	Jackie Baxter	Fred Hemmings	Duke Boyd	50 Years at the HB Pier (Men's and Women's)
2008	Andy Irons	Lynne Boyer	Rich Chew	Buzzy Trent and Wayne Lynch	Drew Kampion	The NSSA Founders of 1978
2007	Midget Farrelly	Mimi Munro	Scott Farnsworth	George Greenough	Bill and Bob Meistrell	The H.B. Boys of 55'
2006	L.J Richards	Layne Beachley	Bob "The Greek" Bolen	Mickey Muñoz	Walter & Phillip Hoffman	Jan Gaffney
2005	David Nuuhiwa	Kim Hamrock	Carl Hayward	Buffalo Keaulana	George Greenough	Paul Morrow
2004	Corky Carroll	Lisa Andersen	Rich Harbour	Pat Curren	Gordon Clark	Meg Bernardo
2003	Martin Potter	Marge Calhoun	Chuck Linnen	Mike Doyle	Larry "Flame" Moore and Tom Morey	Michelle Turner
2002	Kelly Slater	Kim Mearig	Brad Gerlach	Miki Dora	Steve Pezman	Andy Verdone
2001	Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew	Janice Aragon	David Nuuhiwa	Rabbit Kekai	Simon Anderson	Max Bowman
2000	Mark Occhilupo	Nancy Katin	Bud Llamas	Eddie Aikau and Gerry Lopez	MacGillivray Freeman	Mike Abdelmuti and George Farquhar
1999	Tom Carroll	Jericho Poppler	Jack Haley	George Downing	Leroy Grannis	Chuck Allen
1998	Peter "PT" Townend	Frieda Zamba	Chuck Dent	Dr. John Heath "Doc" Ball	Jack O'Neill	Ann Beasley and Natalie Kotsch
1997	Shaun Tomson	Linda Benson	Gordie Duane	Dale Velzy	Hobie Alter and Rick Griffin	Bud and Gordie Higgins
1996	Nat Young	Rell Sunn	Corky Carroll	Greg Noll	Bud Browne	Tom Pratte and John Rothrock
1995	Tom Curren	Margo Oberg	Herbie Fletcher	Phil Edwards	John Severson	Jack Hokanson
1994	Mark Richard	Joyce Hoffman	Robert August	Tom Blake and Honorary induction for Duke Kahanamoku, the "Father of Surfing"	Bruce Brown	None

Surfers' Hall of Fame

Inductees by year are as follows:

• 2024: Jeff Deffenbaugh, Jamie O’Brien, Ilima Kalama^[41]
• 2022: Peter Mel, Martin Daly, Michele Turner^[42]
• 2019: Janice Aragon, Kai Lenny, Sam Hawk^[26]
• 2018: Ben Aipa, Herbie Fletcher, Brett Simpson^[43]
• 2017: Mick Fanning, Bethany Hamilton^[44]
• 2016: Blaine "Sumo" Sato, Shawn Stussy, Ryan Turner^[45]
• 2015: Gordon "Grubby" Clark, C.J. Hobgood, John Davis^[46]
• 2014: Timmy Turner, Carissa Moore, Rusty Preisendorfer ^{[47] [48]}
• 2013: Skip Frye, Rick "Rockin' Fig" Fignetti, Shane Dorian^[49]
• 2012: Rabbit Kekai, Dane Reynolds, Andy Verdone ^[50]
• 2011: George Downing, Chuck Linnen, Simon Anderson, Taylor Knox^[51]
• 2010: Stephanie Gilmore, Ian Cairns, Randy Lewis ^[52]
• 2009: Dick Baker, Chris Hawk, Joey Buran, Pat O'Connell, Bruce Brown, Jeff Hakman^[53]
• 2008: Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Sean Collins, Brad Gerlach, Mike Parsons^[54]
• 2007: Martin Potter, Bruce Irons, Al Merrick, Sofia Mulanovich^[55]
• 2006: Layne Beachley, Bob Hurley, Rob Machado, Greg Noll^[56]
• 2005: Carl Hayward, Tom Carroll, Bob McKnight, Mark Richards^[57]
• 2004: David Nuuhiwa, Jack Haley, Jericho Poppler, Mark Occhilupo, Peter "PT" Townend, Gerry Lopez ^[58]
• 2003: Andy Irons, Shaun Tomson, Tom Curren, Jack O’Neill, Bud Llamas, Paul Strauch, Mike Doyle ^[59]
• 2002: Laird Hamilton, Lisa Andersen, Kelly Slater, Joel Tudor, Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, Robert August, Corky Carroll^[60]

External links

• Official Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Men's Vans US Open of Surfing. World Surf League. 31 August 2015.
2. News: Connelly. Laylan. Biggest show on surf. Orange County Register. July 28, 2011.
3. News: Mike . Sciacca . Simpson wins his heats . August 2, 2012 . . A1 . August 2, 2012.
4. Web site: IMG Buys U.S. Open Of Surfing From Bluetorch. November 4, 2014.
5. Web site: Vans US Open of Surfing confirmed on WSL schedule. 30 August 2015. shop-eat-surf.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101456/http://www.shop-eat-surf.com/2015/04/vans-us-open-of-surfing-confirmed-on-wsl-schedule. September 24, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
6. Web site: History Of The Us Open Of Surfing . Surfing News Daily . July 18, 2014 . City of Huntington Beach web site . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729022224/http://surfingnewsdaily.com/3340/history-of-the-us-open-of-surfing/ . July 29, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
7. News: 25 years later, lessons from surf riot still apply. Huntington Beach Wave. September 8, 2011. Fletcher, Jaimee Lynn. Connelly, Laylan. 3.
8. News: Serna. Joseph. Dramatic photos, videos of Huntington Beach rioting. 29 July 2013. Los Angeles Times. 29 July 2013. Foxhall, Emily.
9. News: Fletcher. Jaimee Lynn. Connelly, Laylan. Activities to be cut back for U.S. Open. Orange County Register. October 12, 2013. Local 4.
10. News: Connelly. Laylan. U.S. Open Rides In. Orange County Register. July 31, 2011.
11. Web site: U.S. Open Champions. November 4, 2014.
12. News: Connelly . Laylan . Roy, Bryan . O.C.'s Courtney Conlogue wins U.S. women's surf title . . July 25, 2009 . July 25, 2009.
13. News: Connelly. Laylan. O.C.'s Simpson claims U.S. Open title, again!. August 9, 2010. Orange County Register. August 8, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100818145240/http://beach.freedomblogging.com/2010/08/08/o-c-s-simpson-takes-out-slater/26669/. August 18, 2010. dead. mdy-all.
14. News: Connelly. Laylan. U.S. Open of Surfing champs crowned in Huntington Beach. August 5, 2012. Orange County Register. August 5, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120806210507/http://beach.orangecounty.com/2012/08/05/u-s-open-of-surfing-champs-crowned-in-huntington-beach/59676/. August 6, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
15. News: Connelly. Laylan. O.C. surfers both come up short at U.S. Open. Huntington Beach Wave. August 1, 2013. 5.
16. News: Connelly. Laylan. Brazilian wins U.S. Open of Surfing. August 4, 2014. Orange County Register. August 3, 2014.
17. News: Connelly. Laylan. Richcreek. Katie. U.S. Open recap: Mellow vibe, lots of people watching and unexpected winners. 2015-08-03. Orange County Register. August 3, 2015. Sports 1.
18. News: Connelly. Laylan. U.S. Open of Surfing: Filipe Toledo tramples the competition to take top prize. 1 August 2016. Orange County Register. Sports 1. August 1, 2016.
19. News: Connelly. Laylan. Bringing It Home. 7 August 2017. Orange County Register. August 7, 2017. C1.
20. News: Connelly. Laylan. Riding Waves to Victory. Orange County Register. August 5, 2019. B1.
21. News: Connelly . Laylan . San Clemente’s Sawyer Lindblad, 17, wins US Open of Surfing . 7 August 2023 . Orange County Register . August 6, 2023.
22. News: Connelly . Laylan . U.S. Open of Surfing has an action-packed finish . 12 August 2024 . The Orange County Register . August 12, 2024.
23. http://articles.hbindependent.com/2010-07-29/sports/tn-hbi-0729-pastwinners-20100729_1_san-clemente-hawaii-cardiff
24. http://cbsurfshop.blogspot.com/2010/06/us-open-mens-longboard-champion-stephen.html
25. News: Connelly . Laylan . Surfing Walk of Fame marks 30 years with stories, memories shared . 12 August 2024 . The Orange County Register . August 9, 2024 . A3.
26. News: Top pro Conlogue among this year's inductees into Surfing Walk of Fame. Huntington Beach Wave. The Orange County Register. A6. July 11, 2019. Connelly. Laylan.
27. News: Huntington's Surfing Walk of Fame welcomes new inductees. 7 August 2017. Daily Pilot. Los Angeles Times. August 3, 2017.
28. News: Connelly. Laylan. Bob Hurley, Mary Lou McGinnis Drummy among Orange County surf icons to be honored at Walk of Fame. 21 July 2016. Orange County Register. June 30, 2016.
29. Web site: Honor Roll. Surfing Walk of Fame. 21 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160814065215/http://www.surfingwalkoffame.com/honor_roll/WISA.html. August 14, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
30. News: Carpio. Anthony Clark. 9 stars of surf join Huntington Beach shrines. 2015-07-30. Huntington Beach Independent. July 30, 2015.
31. Web site: Local Hero. November 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102052846/http://surfingwalkoffame.com/local_hero.html. November 2, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
32. Web site: Surf Pioneer. November 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102053314/http://surfingwalkoffame.com/pioneer.html. November 2, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
33. Web site: Surf Culture. November 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102053225/http://surfingwalkoffame.com/culture.html. November 2, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
34. Web site: Honor Roll. November 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102052927/http://surfingwalkoffame.com/honor_roll.html. November 2, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
35. 2013 Surfing Walk of Fame Inductees Announced. June 12, 2013 . . 2013-06-12.
36. Web site: Surf Champion. November 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102052823/http://surfingwalkoffame.com/champion.html. November 2, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
37. Web site: Woman of the Year. November 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141102002730/http://surfingwalkoffame.com/woman.html. November 2, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
38. Mike Cianciulli,Surfline.com, August 2, 2012, "Sean Collins Inducted into Surfing Walk of Fame". Retrieved August 30, 2012.
39. News: Connelly. Laylan. H.B.'s Igarashi takes second. Huntington Beach Wave. August 9, 2012. 15.
40. News: Carroll. Corky. Walk of Fame inductee list one of the best ever. Orange County Register. June 9, 2011. Corky Carroll.
41. News: Szabo . Matt . Jeff Deffenbaugh, Jamie O’Brien and Ilima Kalama inducted into Surfers’ Hall of Fame . 4 August 2024 . Daily Pilot . Los Angeles Times . August 2, 2024.
42. News: Szabo . Matt . Huntington Beach to celebrate 25th anniversary of Surfers' Hall of Fame with three inductees . 6 May 2022 . Daily Pilot . Los Angeles Times . May 4, 2022.
43. Web site: Kingsbury. Mike. Surfer's Hall of Fame to induct Ben Aipa, Herbie Fletcher, and Brett Simpson. Vans US Open of Surfing Website. December 12, 2018. July 9, 2018.
44. News: Connelly. Laylan. 'Soul Surfer' Bethany Hamilton and champ Mick Fanning inducted into Surfers' Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach. 4 August 2017. Orange County Register. August 4, 2017.
45. News: Connelly. Laylan. Surfers' Hall of Fame announces 2016 class. Orange County Register. June 19, 2016. Local 4.
46. News: Carroll. Corky. Corky Carroll. Hall of Fame induction ceremony to feature stars and legends. Huntington Beach Wave. Orange County Register. July 23, 2015. 6.
47. Web site: Surfers' Hall of Fame. Huntington Surf & Sport website. June 25, 2014.
48. Web site: The Surfers' Hall of Fame Announces its 2014 Inductees. November 4, 2014.
49. Web site: The Surfers' Hall of Fame Announces its 2013 Inductees. November 4, 2014.
50. Web site: Surfers' Hall of Fame – 15th Anniversary. November 4, 2014.
51. Web site: Category Archives: 2011. November 4, 2014.
52. Web site: Category Archives: 2010. November 4, 2014.
53. Web site: Category Archives: 2009. November 4, 2014.
54. Web site: Category Archives: 2008. November 4, 2014.
55. Web site: Category Archives: 2007. November 4, 2014.
56. Web site: Category Archives: 2006. November 4, 2014.
57. Web site: Category Archives: 2005. November 4, 2014.
58. Web site: Category Archives: 2004. November 4, 2014.
59. Web site: Category Archives: 2003. November 4, 2014.
60. Web site: Category Archives: 2002. November 4, 2014.