Top Events for the US Open of Surfing 2011

Welcome to the 2011 US Open of Surfing!

The party officially starts today with check-ins for the athletes and the big on-beach retail stores opening up. Though, with a big swell hitting right now most are probably in the water.

If you’re looking to attend I pulled together my favorite, must-see events, check ’em out:

All Stars – Sat, Aug 6, 1:30pm – this must see event involves 10 of the raddest surfers in the world showing off. Each one paddles out and attempts the craziest move they can think of. There will be airs, flips, pier shots, and who knows what. The competitors are Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Julian Wilson, Rob Machado, Andy Irons (Honorary Spot), and Facebook fan favorite Alejo Muniz.

Walk the Walk – Thu, Aug 4, 4:30pm – a fashion show in the style of ‘Glee’. Five high schools are given the complete lineup of Hurley clothes and with a small budget they have to come up with a themed fashion show. The challenge is for them to create a new fashion trend.

Surfing Heats – There are plenty to watch including mens, womens, and juniors. I recommend watching the morning heats, you can beat the crowds and avoid the hot sun (trust me it gets hot down there). Here is a schedule for the Heats:

Sat, Jul 30, 8-4pm – Juniors
Mon, Aug 1, 7:30am – Womens
Tue, Aug 2, 7:30am – Mens

Then there are the quarters, semis, and the finals. These are the most fun to watch but beware the crowds.

Sat, Aug 6, 8-4pm – Juniors Finals & Awards, Womens Quarters, Mens Final Round (#5).
Sun, Aug 7, 8-3pm – Mens quarters/semis/finals, Womens semi/finals, and awards for both.

Carissa Moore, the 2010 womens champion

Surfing Walk of Fame – Induction Ceremony – Thu, Aug 4, 10am – if you’ve ever been to Main St in Huntington Beach then you’ve probably seen the Duke statue and all the surfer stones embedded in the sidewalk. This local favorite ceremony honors surfers in the following categories: pioneer, champion, local hero, surf culture, woman of the year, and the honor roll. (**Update: there is also the Surfing Hall of Fame inside of HSS with handprints in the cement, that ceremony is on Friday at 10am**)

Lost Atlas Movie Premiere – Thu, Aug 4, 7:30pm – the latest movie from Kai Neville will be showing for free on the Strand in an open air format. In his last movie, Modern Collective, Kai set the standard for “elite-level surfing” and this flick is thought to be more of the same. A full review can be found here.

Free Concerts – MGMT, Jimmy Eat World, The Sounds, Surfer Blood, & Dead Country – at the end of each day (Thu, Fri, Sat) there will be an opening set and a main stage. Here is the schedule:

  • Thu, Aug 4, 6pm – The Sounds
  • Fri, Aug 5, 4:30 – Dead Country // 5:30pm – Jimmy Eat World
  • Sat, Aug 6, 4:30pm – Surfer Blood // 5:30 – MGMT

Longboarding Competition – Nose Riding Invitational – for the classic in you check out the toes-on-the-nose competition. The qualifying round is on Sat, Aug 6 at noon and the finals on the following day, Sun, Aug 7, at noon.

Open Practice– everywhere you go in the city the Pro’s are out and practicing. In the water surfing, at the skate parks, and in the BMX park. You can spend some time with some really talented folks and see how you hold up. There’s nothing like surfing with the Pro’s!

Here is a link to the full schedule.

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