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Manasquan, New Jersey. Matt Lewis with the flag board that was lost to Hurricane Sandy just six weeks later. Photo: Joanne O'Shaughnessy
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Someone just scored wave of the day. Photo: Robert Siliato
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USA going left. Art: Richard Morrison
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Malibu, California. The locals! Photo: Lucia Griggi
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Lone surfer in West End, NJ, going out for another epic ride. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz
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Before the party starts. San-O at dawn. Photo: Bryce Johnson
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Sunset line-up at Swamis. I'm lucky to call Encinitas my hometown, it's truly special. Image: Roche
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Mason Dyer. Surfboard shaper, portrait of Americana 2011. Image: Roche
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OBX Lifestyle: OBX 2011. Heavy current, swell, and a pro lineup. What more could you ask for as a photographer? Photo: Chris Frick.
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Flags over the lighthouse: A transplant from Michigan, Tatar shows some California love. Photo: Ryan Tatar.
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Manasquan, New Jersey. Photo: Joanne O'Shaughnessy
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A surfer snaps a turn during warmups before the 2012 Belmar Pro. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz
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Giant Mavs, during the 2010 contest. This day was way next level. Photo: Rusty Long
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Surf instructor and Photographer Adam Lindstrom's take on the 4th of July. Image: Incitti/Summa Love
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Trestles, still home sweet home. Photo: Rusty Long
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Joe Guinand sitting in awe under the most ridiculous double rainbow spanning across the Bay. Image: Frings
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On the whole, it was a gorgeous Southern Calfornia day - and not a bad one to surf a contest at Uppers. With the San Onofre Nuclear power plant, gulls, and mountains of Camp Pendleton in the background, I couldn't name a better place to be. Photo: Surf-Shot.com
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Nothing says the fourth like a beach party. Photo: Ray Collins.
The fourth day of July marks plenty of things. It marks the historic day in 1776 when the United States claimed its independence from the British. It signals that summer is already two weeks deep. Better work on that sun tan (or burn). It’s the perfect excuse to grill out and have a cold beverage with friends and family. And it’s a great day to relive the beauty of surfing in the USA. Because there’s a lot of that to go around. We pulled together 20 photos, all from the land of the free and home of the brave, that we hope will send you running for the surf with a board under one arm and a stoked smile of patriotism splashed across your face.
