Huntington Beach US Open of Surfing

The annual festival of surfing has a long, storied past and an exciting future. It began as a grassroots contest bringing together surfing talent from around the globe to Huntington Beach. As it progressed the event grew in popularity and attendance. At one time circa early 1980s it became so large that festival took on a party atmosphere. One year as the result of a swimsuit contest a riot ensued. After that, the event was scaled back.

But with Huntington Beach's popularity as a surfing destination this event could not be contained and each year it has bounced back bigger and better.

As the pendulum swings and history repeats itself, however, the 21st century US Open with title sponsors, multiple arenas showcasing BMX, skateboarding, fashion and even free beach music concerts with name acts, the US Open again took on the flavor of the 1980s event and again, a riot ensued in 2013.

Dateline: July 30, 2013

Everything's almost returned to "normal" in Surf City just days after a riot closed out the US Open of Surfing. Photos above, left to right: easyrider store where vandals broke in the window and stole a $5000 bicycle; a couple's dog (off leash) in downtown Huntington Beach runs out into the street and brings traffic to a stop; Southern California news stations line up at the Huntington Beach Pier to provide follow-up coverage of the violence that erupted on Sunday evening, July 28, 2013.

Today the sun is shining, crowds are meandering through the downtown streets, and visitors to the beach are enjoying the sunshine and fantastic weather. It's almost as if nothing ever happened. Tonight Surf City Nights street fair brings massive crowds to the downtown streets once again.

Huntington Beach and riots:

• In 1986 the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach experienced another riot (shown in photo with police car on fire.)
• City planners are committed to bringing the US Open of Surfing back next year and have invited the public's input as to how to improve things. A special meeting is being held today at City Hall to discuss the topic, public invited!
• A fundraiser called a "bake sale" by the local Shorebreak Hotel is helping raise money for damage caused by the melee.
• Huntington Beach downtown residents complain about the city's status as having the greatest concentration of bars and alcohol-serving restaurants in the state. They believe this could be a contributing factor to the recent riot.

US OPEN of Surfing Beach Festival

Huntington City Beach
315 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA
usopenofsurfing.com