Vans US Open of Surfing
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) (pictured), Five-Time ASP Women's World Champion came flying out of the gates at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Gilmore top scored the opening round with an impressive two wave tally of 15.77 out of a possible 20. Photo: ASP/ Rowland
The Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach is a carnival. It’s not really about surfing – it’s more about the scene, which is pretty awesome, even though it sometimes involves a riot or two. The surfing just acts as a catalyst, of sorts. People show up. People party. People surf. But most of all, people party. And while Huntington doesn’t normally get amazing waves (it’s a surf contest in California in mid-summer), it does get amazing surfers, and they do pretty amazing things on not-so-amazing waves. See proof above. One-to-three foot slop doesn’t usually equal gouging turns and big-ass boosts, but somehow, amid the Huntington cacophony, those were both accomplished.