Professional Surfing, Sponsor to Meet in Aftermath of Huntington Beach Riot

The future of the Op Pro Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach apparently remains in doubt after Sunday’s rioting, but Ocean Pacific Sunwear Ltd., the event’s sponsor, still has in interest in supporting surfing.

Jerry Crosby, executive vice president for marketing and advertising for Op, said that Op officials, their public relations firm, and Ian Cairns, executive director of the Assn. of Surfing Professionals (ASP), will meet today to discuss the incident and its effect on the championships, which has been in Huntington Beach the past five years.

Crosby said, “In light of the success of the surfing itself, it’s fair to say that we have an interest in wanting to support a major surfing tournament in the future.”

Said Ruth Finley, a member of the Huntington Beach City Council, “In my opinion, it’s doubtful that we’re going to have any more of these events unless there is a way to build confidence (in security).”

Times Staff Writer Mark Pinsky contributed to this report.