Surfing Organizations Consolidate Two Major Events
The U.S. Open and the AirTouch Pro surfing contests, which have attracted thousands of spectators to Huntington Beach during consecutive summer weeks, have been consolidated into a weeklong event, according to top officials from U.S. Surfing and the Assn. of Surfing Professionals.
The two events, which took place during the last week of July and the first week of August, attracted the world’s top amateur and professional surfers.
Graham Stapelberg, ASP executive director, said the U.S. Open was dropped because many participants and organizers wanted to move the event to a location with better waves.
Stapelberg said an agreement is being worked out with California Parks and Recreation to add Lower Trestles in San Clemente to the World Championship Tour. The U.S. Open title will most likely remain with the Huntington Beach contest, but its status and prize money would be shifted to Trestles.
Ron Hagen, director of community services for Huntington Beach, said the city is working with Fox Television and the Bud Surf Tour to get a second summer event. “But if not, then we’ll just have surfing for a week,” said Hagen, who added the city should know by mid-December.
Ian Cairns, executive director of U.S. Surfing, said it makes sense to move to Trestles.
“Since [the U.S. Open] started three years ago, this whole movement about getting the site changed from Huntington to Trestles was instigated by an ongoing desire by everyone to move . . . to a good wave. And Trestles was obvious,” Cairns said.
But Trestles is not as friendly a spot for spectators.
The area, just south of San Clemente, is secluded with little parking available. In addition, it takes a 1 1/2-mike hike to reach the contest site.
“Because of the fragile nature of Trestles, we will want to take real care concerning the environment. The area just doesn’t allow that kind of spectator use,” Cairns said.
Rich Barnard, deputy city administrator for Huntington Beach, sees little impact on the city despite losing one of the surf tournaments.
“I think it was good because it gave public exposure to what surfing was all about. But that time of the year is our peak season. It’s already crowded, so I think there would be plenty of people down here regardless of a surf contest,” Barnard said.