Crowd of 160,000 Remains in Control Near Huntington Pier, Police Report

Police reported that an estimated crowd of 160,000 jammed the beaches around the Huntington Beach Pier but remained basically under control Saturday, the final day of the Op Pro Surfing Championship.

“It was extremely busy and on the brink of getting out of hand two or three times,” Lt. John Foster said, “but each time we were able to quell the problem.”

Although Foster said the department came within four to five minutes of requesting outside assistance to maintain order, the action was not necessary. He estimated that there were 25-30 arrests during the day, mostly involving drinking violations, with four or five more serious incidents of assault. There were no serious injuries, he said.

At about 2 p.m., police closed the crowded pier, allowing people to leave and not reenter. The closure, Foster said, was “a tactical move,” designed to keep people from dropping or throwing material on officers below, where fights occasionally broke out.

Saturday’s events were a marked contrast to the closing day of last year’s championship, when a riot resulted in 40 injuries, 35 arrests and damage to numerous police vehicles. As a result of the riot, the championship was moved from Labor Day weekend, and police established a high profile, with an emergency plan for rapid assistance from other law enforcement agencies in the county.