It’s been dubbed the “Super Bowl of surfing,” a mega, nine-day spectacle considered the largest action-sports festival in the world, with a mini city on the sand in Huntington Beach and big action in the surf.
For surfers, the Wallex U.S. Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico getting underway on Saturday, July 29, is a chance to showcase their talent in front of a stadium-like arena with thousands of fans and maybe take home the event’s prestigious title, which can catapult them to stardom. For the sponsors and brands, it’s an opportunity to market to the masses, giving out free gear and interacting with consumers.
And the influx of visitors to town means big tourism bucks for the city of Huntington Beach.
This year, with Vans exiting the sand as the main sponsor and Wallex, a digital currency company, stepping in, there will be a new vibe with different offerings, organizers say. One of the most anticipated additions is high-flying freestyle motocross happening right on the sand.
“There’s always different iterations of the U.S. Open. At the end of the day, there’s different things happening at the beach, but the premise is the same,” said World Surf League Chief of Sport Jessi Miley-Dyer. “Everyone is excited to be there, and there’s this action sports vibe that’s really special.”
There will be no skateboarding or BMX events this year, Miley-Dyer said, which had a large footprint in the festival area under the Vans sponsorship. But she gave a glimpse at what will be offered this year.
Music will make a return on a main stage, though not with the massive beach concerts seen in the past. Acts have not been announced yet.
There will also be beach games, activities for families and food trucks on the sand – with everything from tacos, pizza and ice cream on offer.
The World Surf League will be hosting a “Rising Tides” session on Friday, July 28, where young up-and-coming female surfers will be hanging out with the sport’s…
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