Vans US Open of Surfing 2013

Women’s final winner Carissa Moore is carried to the awards platform at the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Brazilian surfer Alejo Muniz holds up his nation’s flag after winning the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Brazilian surfer Alejo Muniz competes in the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Muniz later won the competition.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Thousands gather at the Huntington Beach pier as surfers compete in the Vans US Open of Surfing.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Crowds gather for the action.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Derrik Kapalla of Sharper Studios shapes a surfboard.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

A woman surfs the crowd during the Modest Mouse concert.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion, rides a wave in the men’s third-round competition.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Kelly Slater runs up the beach after competing in his third-round heat.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Vincent Duvignac of France rides a wave during third-round action at the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Surfer Hodei Collazo stretches on the beach before his third-round heat.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Peanut rides in his customized bike trailer driven by Ray and Marge Hernandez of Riverside, who were attending the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing competition in Huntington Beach.  (Allen Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

C.J. Hobgood poses for a picture with a fan after competing in the third round.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Kolohe Andino of San Clemente completes a maneuver during third-round action.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Charles Martin stretches under the pier before competing in the men’s third round.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Dax McGill of Hawaii starts a bottom turn during the junior women’s semifinals of the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Crowds gather near the Huntington Beach Pier for the surfing contest and more.   (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Tyler Wright of New South Wales, Australia, paddles to catch a wave during the women’s second round.   (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Sage Erickson of Ventura navigates her way through the Huntington Beach Pier during the women’s second round.   (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Sage Erickson of Ventura signs an autograph after competing in the women’s second round.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. surfer Taylor Clark stretches before competing in the junior men’s quarter finals.  (Susannah Kay / Los Angeles Times)

Spectators line the Huntington Beach Pier for a view of surfers during the first round of competition on the south side of the pier.   (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Zeke Lau of Hawaii high steps along the beach to warm up just before his heat in the first round of competition.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Ella Moss, 4, gets a ride along the beach from professional surfer Sonny Garcia after his first-round heat.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)