RETAIL : OP Surf Competition, Facing Wipeout, Now Back on Solid Footing

Things looked a bit rocky by the end of last year’s OP Pro, a prestigious surfing event held for the past 11 summers at Huntington Beach.

For starters, Irvine-based Ocean Pacific Sunwear, the OP Pro’s sponsor, entered bankruptcy early last summer, raising doubts about the company’s ability to continue sponsoring the event. Huntington Beach wasn’t able to open its new pier in time for the event. And attendance at the meet was hurt by two earthquakes that hit June 28, the final day of competition.

But things are looking brighter as the 12th annual OP Pro approaches. Ocean Pacific in April sold its remaining assets to a San Francisco-based investment company that has pledged to pump much-needed capital into the ailing surf apparel brand.

OP will provide a $60,000 purse for the men’s competition, $7,500 in prize money for the women’s competition and $14,000 for a tag-team competition. The annual event, to be held June 27 through July 3 in the shadow of the new pier, is a World Qualifying Series event sanctioned by the Assn. of Surfing Professionals.