The US Surf Open has grown into more than a professional surf competition, it has morphed into a cluster fuck of truly captivating contests, athletic rivalries, and hundreds of exhibits. Not to forget the free shows on the famous Huntington Pier, that has pulled in A-list talent such as; Rebelution, Shwayze, and The Donnas.From its start in 1959, the US Surf Open has been the worlds largest surf competition and the only one in North America to combine ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) Men's Prime and the Women's Six-Star competition.

But this nine day event isn't just all about surfing, introduced just two years ago, the Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro competition has amplified into 12,000 square foot course with a prize purse of $100,000! This years BMX pro competition will include 15-year old boy wonder Brett Banasiewcz, and long-serving pros like Ryan Nyquist, Daniel Dhers and Mike Spinner. The current invited rider roster includes these talented dudes as well:

Drew Bezanson
Andy Buckworth
Diogo Canina
Allan Cooke
Scotty Cranmer
Rob Darden
Brandon Dosch
Dennis Enarson
Ryan Guettler
Chris Hughes
Andre Jesus
Craig Mast
Todd Meyn
Josh Perry
Garrett Reynolds
Nicholi Rogatkin
Jeremiah Smith
Marcus Tooker
Ben Wallace (wild card recipient from the Nike 6.0 BCN BMX Pro) Mark Webb

With three days filled with so many talented BMXers, this will be nothing less than mind-blowing, so be sure to be there August 5-8th. The Converse Costal Carnage will be returning with a "Super-mini park," giving skateboarding pros a chance to compete as well. Not only is this event about extreme sports and athletic sagas, its about fashion and youth culture too. Six high schools will be given a chance to win $25,000 in Hurley's Walk the Walk National Championship fashion competition. The high schools competing in the fashion show are Huntington Beach, Pearl City, Tom Rivers, Corona Del Mar, Kellam and Lincoln. They will be showcasing their skills on Friday, August 6. Finally at the end of each night a free concert is held on the pier. Ready for this years line-up? I don't think your are.
 
Tuesday, August 3 @ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m: Cold War Kids preceded by The Soft Pack
Wednesday, August 4 @ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m: Bedouin Soundclash preceded by Iration
Thursday, August 5 @ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m: Switchfoot preceded by Timmy Curran
Friday, August 6 @ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m: Cobra Starship preceded by Street Drum Corps
Saturday, August 7@ 4:30 – 6:30 p.m: Weezer preceded by Hot Hot Heat

Now, lets back to the main reason why this is all put together, THE SURFING!  Competing this year to keep her title as the US Open of Surfing Women's Championship, is last years winner, Courtney Conlogue (Santa Ana). She will be up against some fierce lady surfers such as, Jessi Miley-Dyer (Australia),  Jacqueline Silva (Brazil), Sally Fitzgibbons, Coco Ho, Sage Erickson (Hawaii) and Karina Pertroni (Florida), with a first place prize of $20,000. This years Six-Star division will include Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) and Sofia Mulanovich (Peru) who are both world champs. But the highest prize purse belongs to the Men's Prime division that has skyrocketed to a whopping $250,000 with a first place prize of $100,000. Last years champ, Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach) is up against Mick Fanning (Australia), Taj Burrow (Australia), C.J. Hobgood (Florida), Andy Irons (Hawaii), Rob Machado (Cadriff), Dane Reyonlds (Ventura), Patrick Gudauskas (San Clemente) and the current world number one, Gordy Smith (South Africa). Their might also be an appearance by nine-time world champ Kelly Slater, who has entered the competition but has yet to confirm his attendance.

I've never been to the US Surf Open, and I really had no idea of its stature, but I can guarantee that I will be there to observe all of the elite talent in, and out of the water! The fun and festivities will being July 31 and ends August 8, so they're NO EXCUSES as to why YOU shouldn't be there. Now, go out there soak up some sun, and be awestruck at all the extreme sports that you can't do.