Surf fans will have plenty of local competitors to cheer for on the final day of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
Three of the four male competitors in the main Challenger’s Series event grew up surfing local waters and have competed since they were kids in countless events at Huntington Beach’s famed pier. And another San Clemente surfer has made it to the finals day in the women’s event.
The hundreds of surfers who traveled from around the world have been whittled down to just a handful who will compete on Sunday, Aug. 6, but it will be no easy task to take down the remaining surfers hoping to clinch the prestigious title.
Huntington Beach’s Kanoa Igarashi is hunting for his third US Open title, which has eluded him since he took the win in 2017 and 2018. Making it to the semifinals takes him one step closer.
“It’s been a really good week so far,” said Igarashi, who competes on the elite World Tour level and is a silver Olympic medalist. “I’m at home, I’m surrounded by friends and family. For me, it’s just another day at the beach.”
It’s the fans that make the event so special, he said.
“I know for sure I wouldn’t have gotten my other titles if it wasn’t for the fans,” he said in an interview with the World Surf League. “They give me the energy to do my best surfing. I always draw from the crowd and the crowd in Huntington is the best.”
Long Beach surfer Nolan Rapoza, who like Igarashi calls Huntington Beach his home surf break, has also clinched a finals day spot.
Crosby Colapinto is the remaining San Clemente surfer in the men’s event, after the town’s Cole Houshmand went down against Rapoza in the round of 16 on Friday, Aug. 4. The other San Clemente hopeful, Jett Schilling, was also eliminated in that round when he matched up against Colapinto.
Colapinto, whose brother, Griffin, competes on the World Tour, bested Brazilian Mateus Herdy during his heat.
The pressure was on about halfway through…
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