Wave of the Present, Future

Surfing has been in the air these warm spring weekends along the waterfront in Huntington Beach. The weekend crowds bustling along the Pacific Coast Highway and in the vicinity of the downtown pier are testimony to the vision of city officials and of U.S. Surfing, the organization that holds the U.S. Open surfing competition slated for this summer.

Some surfers had argued for relocating the open to the Lower Trestles area near San Clemente. While Trestles has its seaside charms, and some of the best waves in the world, there is no substitute for the ability of Huntington Beach to put on a good show. They don’t call it Surf City for nothing. The sponsors have chosen wisely in deciding to keep the open in Huntington Beach.

Moving the event south essentially would have traded convenience and access for waves because Trestles has little parking and requires a walk of 1 1/2 miles from the lot to the beach. That would have made for an atmosphere reminiscent of “The Endless Summer,” but part of the cachet of the open is to help promote surfing to a wider audience.

Huntington Beach has hosted the event since its precursor, the OP Pro, was held there in 1982. It has a redeveloped waterfront that is accessible to large crowds. When the event is held Aug. 4 to 10, it is expected to draw 50,000 people a day to watch some of the world’s best surfers. That has to be good for the sport, as it no doubt will catch the attention of casual onlookers.

Moreover, the size of the event is fitting for a setting better geared to host a large-scale event. The open will have $145,000 in prize money for a men’s qualifying event, longboard and bodyboard competition and championships for women and juniors.

The city and the organization appear to have worked out problems associated with construction of the $12-million Pier Plaza, which will begin in May and create some construction-related disruption, limiting some beach access.

Down the road, that project no doubt will offer visitors even more amenities. But for the short term, it is worth going through the hoops. By working around the inconveniences, the event can retain its continuity and solidify its place as a part of the Huntington Beach landscape.