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.