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The Vans US Open of Surfing: Yes, There’s Surfing!

The US Open at Huntington Beach is a carnival. It’s not really about surfing – it’s more about the scene. The surfing just acts as a catalyst, of sorts. People show up. People party. People surf. But most of all, people party.

Vans US Open of Surfing

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Malia Manuel (Kauai, Hawaii) was in dominant form at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Manuel posted a 9.63 and 8.50 by catching the best waves of the heat and punctuating them with searing snaps and carving turns. 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.