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New sponsor, new vibe announced for US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach

June 28, 2023

A new main sponsor has been announced for the upcoming US Open of Surfing, the world’s largest action-sports festival that kicks off July 29 in Huntington Beach.

The title spot was vacated earlier this year by Costa Mesa-based Vans, with Wallex, a digital asset service provider that allows customers to make international payments via a secure electronic platform, stepping in, World Surf League officials announced this week.

The nine-day surf competition, now the 2023 Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, will continue to be accompanied by “a full calendar of engaging creative activities for the entire family to enjoy,” WSL officials said. It wraps up Aug. 6.

A new big addition to the event this year: Freestyle motorcycles on the beach.

A new addition for this year’s Wallex US Open of Surfing – moto freestyle. Nitro Circus’ ‘Full Throttle FMX’ show will feature world-class athlete Beau Bamburg. (Courtesy: Nitro Circus)

The Nitro Circus’ Full Throttle FMX will bring “jaw-dropping spectacles that push the boundaries of excitement and adrenaline” to the beach from July 29 through Aug.5.

It’s not the first time motorcycles have been part of the big event, with a freestyle moto exhibition featured in 2008.

Some of the well-known FMX riders who will be showcasing their skills include Twitch Steinburg, Jarryd McNeil, Beau Bamburg, Keith Sayers and Brian McCarty.

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The action in the water will feature the fourth stop of the WSL’s Challenger Series with a mix of local and international competitors vying for a spot on next year’s World Tour to compete among surfing’s best.

There will be 80 men and 48 women surfers competing for points to qualify within the Top 10 men and Top 5 women rankings by the end of six events.

The Huntington Beach Longboard Classic will also be held – it’s the first of four stops on the WSL Longboard Tour.

Entertaining spectators on the sand will be WSL One Ocean activities, beach games, food trucks, live music, surfboard shaping, WSL Rising Tides gatherings, athlete signings and more.

Now that the event isn’t under the Vans umbrella, there could be a whole new vibe at this year’s event.

Crosby Colapinto of San Clemente surfs in his heat on the opening day of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 30, 2022. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The US Open of Surfing has taken on many forms through the decades in Huntington Beach and sponsorship has changed hands many times.

Costa Mesa-based Vans had run the event since 2013, but announced earlier this year it wasn’t going to renew for 2023. Under its sponsorship, the event took on a more family friendly vibe, a sharp turn from the raucous party scene that filled the sand in earlier years.

The event has had its wilder years. Most notably in 1986, when it was known as the OP Pro, a riot broke out on the sand during a bikini contest.

The event struggled in the years following and was rebranded into the US Open of Surfing in 1994.

In the mid-’90s, it was the G-Shock US Open of Surfing, and then the Shockwave US Open of Surfing. For a while it was dubbed the Honda US Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill.

Bank of the West sponsored the festival for a few years. From 2009 to 2012, Hurley and Nike took over title sponsorship, until Vans stepped in with a big focus on skate and BMX events accompanying the competition in the water.

“The US Open of Surfing is one of the largest surfing festivals in the world, known for its community-focused activities and beachside entertainment,” WSL officials said said. “As such, fans can expect more than just a surfing competition, as the US Open’s festival-style setup will include activities and experiences for the whole family.”

All festivities throughout the competition are free and open to the public. For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Orange County Register

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New sponsor, new vibe announced for US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach

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