Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The US Open Of Surfing (A/K/A The Invasion Of THAT GUY)

Here's what's happening in Huntington Beach next week:

2011 Nike US Open of Surfing Set To Deliver Another Historic Week of Sport, Music and Art at Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, CA - The US Open of Surfing has a storied reputation for going big. This year will only add to that legacy as title sponsor Nike - along with presenting sponsors Hurley, Converse and Nike 6.0 - continue to elevate the event as the world's largest youth culture and action sport festival. With more than 500,000 people in attendance along a 14-acre stretch of sand on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier, the Nike US Open of Surfing showcases the best in surf, skate, BMX, music, fashion and art.
"It's hard to match the experience of the world's best in sports, music and art coming together on the beach in one of action sports' most iconic locations," said Sandy Bodecker, VP Nike Action Sports. "Our commitment this year is to bring the energy from Huntington Beach to even more fans across the world.
The 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing will run from July 30 to August 7. All events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC or can be viewed live daily at www.usopenofsurfing.com. The event is owned and produced by IMG, the global leader in sports and entertainment.
Anchored by the world's largest professional surfing competition, the $460,000 US Open is a pivotal point on the ASP World Tour for both the men and women. The Men's side will feature a North America ASP Men's Prime event with valuable points on the line right before the coveted ASP Top 32 cut-off. For the women, the US Open of Surfing will witness the final event of the 2011 ASP World Title Tour and crown a women's world champion in Surf City this summer. "I'm really excited to be returning to Huntington Beach to try to defend my US Open title," says Hawaii's Carissa Moore. "It's so fun to be competing in front of so many people!" In addition to the high-stakes Men's and Women's divisions, the US Open will feature a grade four men's and women's Pro Junior as well as the Pacifico Nose Riding Invitational - always a crowd favorite.
The action doesn't stop at the shoreline. On the beach, the event will once again host eye-opening tricks from the most talented and diverse crew of riders from across the globe as they skate in a state-of-the-art skate bowl at Converse Coastal Carnage. And, a stellar crew of BMX riders will push the realm of possibility at the Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro. The runway will be busy on Thursday, August 4 as five of the nation's top high schools will compete for $25,000 in the Hurley Walk the Walk National Championship - the ultimate youth fashion competition. And the US Open Music Stage will host a soon-to-be-announced lineup of bands that will surely rival last year's Weezer performance in front of 50,000-plus screaming fans.
Couple this with one-of-a-kind retail and brand experiences, more than 100 interactive exhibits, autograph signings, DJs and giveaways, and you have another summer to remember at the Nike US Open of Surfing. Be ready to dive into the madness starting July 30.
The Nike US Open of Surfing is proudly sponsored by G-Shock, Skullcandy, Red Bull, Pacifico, Paul Mitchell Salon Haircare, Invisalign Teen and Transworld Media.
Happier times at the Open - 1986
Other than the fact that the current title sponsor is my least favorite sporting goods company of all time (what does Nike know about surfing past what they've managed to buy?), this is a fun event.  I take Ian every year to catch a few heats of competition.  If we time things right, we get to see some vertical skating or BMX riding as well.

Unfortunately, of the 500,000 expected attendees, it's likely that 450,000 of them will not be from the Huntington Beach area.  In fact, they will probably not hail from places anywhere near the coast.  Their hometowns are called San Bernadino and Riverside, and as such they will not be hip to our coastal ways.  To keep things simple, these people will hereinafter be referred to as "THAT GUY".
 
Official vehicle of THAT GUY
THAT GUY still listens to mid 90's Nu-Metal and like Korn and Disturbed, and he will want everyone to know it.  THAT GUY will be dressed head to toe in tough-guy-cum-action-sports branded apparel:  Fox, Osiris, Spy and Famous Stars and Straps.  THAT GUY will be wearing a baseball hat - sideways.  The cooler in THAT GUY'S truck will be stocked with equal amounts of Monster Energy Drink and domestic beer.  Despite the obvious impact that the contents of the cooler is having on his physique, THAT GUY will take off his shirt as early in the day as possible.

THAT GUY also sucks at driving.

So I have no choice but to qualify the term "fun event" and limit it's meaning to include such times when I've made a deliberate decision to head down to the beach and check things out.  In other words, if I happen to be passing through downtown on my way somewhere else, it will definitely not be a "fun event".  And if I'm riding my bike through, which I am inclined to do at least 3 times a week, it will be a guaranteed nightmare.  This is because the aggregate driving skills of all the motorists downtown will plunge even lower than they already are, which in the summer is already bad.

I know I have choices - I can easily avoid the Coast Highway for a week.  The thing is I don't want to.  This is my town, dammit.  And since property taxes are high and City regulations are so absurdly rigid that if I hammer a nail into a wall without a building permit I am out of compliance, I want to ride my bike wherever and whenever I want.

And I probably will.  Wish me luck.

14 comments:

Amanda@runninghood said...

Just stopping in to say congrats on your Tri that Chris wrote about. You look awesome in the pics! Also love the new look of your blog here.

KovasP said...

Ah, I remember those times fondly, though for me it was all about skating, volleyball, and the girls in bikinis. Oh yeah, and surfing.

misszippy said...

I hope you make it happen and avoid "that guy."

Blog looks great.

TRI714 said...

LOL ! "That guy" is here for another 9 weeks. Hes just in full force right now.
P.S. I have a pair of FOX boardshorts and they might be might favorite pair, LOL (SERIOUSLY).
I also think the vert skating they set up is way better than Surfing in HB early August. There is always a 50/50 chance the waves will suck. But you can't beat the view.
Also you need to start heading North on PCH with me. And do some climbing in Signal Hill and Palo Verde area.

Emz said...

THIS GIRL loves monster energy.

So. Bite. Me.

Ransick said...

If you have to put up with "THAT GUY" hopefully you get some good blog pics of him :-)

Patrick Mahoney said...

Craig and EMZ - people I know get free passes.

Patrick Mahoney said...

Kovas probably started the riot in 1986.

Jason said...

Please avoid that guy at all costs but I wonder how he can be over there with you and yet still live here in Dallas at the same time? What is with THAT GUY!

Ride free and eat healthy!

Unknown said...

Always fightin' the man over here at The Road!

The funny part is that the Ed Hardy Douche cape wearer is also thinks he is fighting the man. And to an extent you both are, just different the mans!

XLMIC said...

Just thinking you might try walking in THAT GUY'S shoes sometime. You are so quick to jump on him, try BEING him. I challenge you... get all geared up in branded shit, sideways hat, Fila sneakers with the jacked up laces (or is he wearing something else these days?), take you shirt off, drink that coolerful of whatever he's drinking...assimilate. Talk to him like a brother. Now tell us... what's it like?

Caratunk Girl said...

I recognize THAT GUY. He comes here and thinks he is in the wild west and pisses and throws emptys on my lawn and jumps back in his hummer and digs up my lawn. I guess because I live by a stream and a popular whitewater river, I ask for this? When THAT GUY isn't here, it is pretty awesome though. Have fun with Ian!

Chris K said...

Serenity Now!

I'm a land lover and have no interest in surfing contests. I did love Jeff's comment. Sorry we missed you last night, I got to meet your Blogging friend Glen.

Jill said...

Hope you avoided THAT GUY! I drove through San Bernadino - twice - and if I never see another THAT GUY again, I think my life will be ok.

Miss you Friday :(.

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