The U.S. Open of Surfing is a week-long surfing competition held annually during the summer in Huntington Beach, California. Generally held on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier, the U.S. Open is part of the qualification process for the World Surf League and is a WSL QS 10,000 event. It is the largest surfing competition in the world. It was owned by IMG from 2000 until 2025, when ownership was passed to MARI.MARI Group Portfolio
As part of the event, notable people in the world of surfing are added to the Surfing Walk of Fame and to the Surfers' Hall of Fame, both directly across from the pier.
History The U.S. Open, then called the West Coast Surfing Championship, was first held in 1959. In 1964 it became known as the United States Surfing Championships. In 1982 it became known as the OP Pro for its sponsor, Ocean Pacific. The event was renamed the U.S. Open of Surfing in 1994.
The contest was traditionally held during Labor Day weekend. The event was changed to an earlier date following the 1986 event when riots occurred at the OP Pro.
Rioting again marred the 2013 U.S. Open. On the final day of the event, as the crowds left the contest area and filled Main Street, a civil disturbance erupted, resulting in property damage and several arrests and some injuries. As a result, the event owner IMG stated that in 2014 it will discontinue events such as free concerts and focus more on the sport.
Spending at the nine-day event adds $21.5 million to the Orange County economy and $16.4 million in Huntington Beach. It is attended by nearly 500,000 people.
Champions West Coast Surfing Champions 1959: Jack Haley, Linda Benson
1960: Mike Haley, Linda Benson
1961: Ron Sizemore, Linda Benson
1962: Ilima Kalama, Gudie Wilkie
1963: LJ Richards, Candy Calhoun
United States Surfing Champions 1964: Jim Craig, Linda Benson
1965: Mark Martinson, Joyce Hoffman
1966: Corky Carroll, Joyce Hoffman
1967: Corky Carroll, Joyce Hoffman
1968: David Nuuhiwa, Linda Benson
1969: Corky Carroll, Sharron Weber
1970: David Nuuhiwa, Joyce Hoffman
1971: Brad McCaul, Jericho Poppler
1972: Dale Dobson, Mary Setterholm
Op Pro Champions 1982: Cheyne Horan, Becky Benson
1983: Tom Curren, Kim Mearig
1984: Tom Curren, Frieda Zamba
1985: Mark Occhilupo, Jodie Cooper
1986: Mark Occhilupo, Frieda Zamba
1987: Barton Lynch, Wendy Botha
1988: Tom Curren, Jorja Smith
1989: Richie Collins, Frieda Zamba
1990: Todd Holland, Frieda Zamba
1991: Barton Lynch, Frieda Zamba
1992: Team USA (Kelly Slater, Richie Collins, Todd Holland, Mike Parsons, Alisa Schwarzstein)
1993: Sunny Garcia, Kim Mearig
U.S. Open Champions 1994: Shane Beschen, Lisa Andersen
1995: Rob Machado, Neridah Falconer
1996: Kelly Slater, Layne Beachley
1997: Beau Emerton, Rochelle Ballard
1998: Andy Irons, Layne Beachley
1999: Shea Lopez, Keala Kennelly
2000: Sunny Garcia, Tita Tavares
2001: Rob Machado, Pauline Menczer
2002: Kalani Robb, Pauline Menczer
2003: Cory Lopez, Chelsea Georgeson
2004: Taj Burrow, Chelsea Georgeson
2005: Andy Irons, Julia Christian
2006: Rob Machado, Sofia Mulanovich
2007: C.J. Hobgood, Stephanie Gilmore
2008: Nathaniel Curran, Malia Manuel
2009: Brett Simpson, Courtney Conlogue
2010: Brett Simpson, Carissa Moore
2011: Kelly Slater, Sally Fitzgibbons
2012: Julian Wilson, Lakey Peterson
2013: Alejo Muniz, Carissa Moore
2014: Filipe Toledo, Tyler Wright
2015: Hiroto Ohhara, Johanne Defay
2016: Filipe Toledo, Tatiana Weston-Webb
2017: Kanoa Igarashi, Sage Erickson
2018: Kanoa Igarashi, Courtney Conlogue
2019: Yago Dora, Sage Erickson
2020: Cancelled
2021: Griffin Colapinto, Caitlin Simmers
2022: Ezekiel Lau, Bettylou Sakura Johnson
2023: Eli Hanneman, Sawyer Lindblad
2024: Alan Cleland, Sally Fitzgibbons
2025: Levi Slawson, Sawyer Lindblad
U.S. Open of Longboarding Champions Year Huntington Beach Independent Pro Longboard Open2025Kai Ellice-Flint2013-2016 Duct Tape InvitationalJustin Quintal(wins 4 in a row)2012 Pacifico Noserider InvitationalJustin Quintal2010-2011 Pacifico Noserider InvitationalJoel Tudor (wins 2 in a row)2010 TrestlesSteven Mangiacapre cb surf shop2009Corona Noserider InvitationalKevin Connolly2008Taylor Jensen 2007Colin McPhillips 2006 Dodger Kremel 2005 Joel Tudor 2004 Brendan White 2003 Taylor Jensen2002 Joel Tudor 2001 Josh Baxter 1995–2000 Joel Tudor(wins 6 in a row) 1994 Colin McPhillips
Awards Notable people are inducted into Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers' Hall of Fame each year during the U.S. Open. The Walk of Fame has plaques imbedded in the sidewalk, while the Hall of Fame has handprints. Each are located across the street from one another and across Pacific Coast Highway from the Huntington Beach Pier.
Surfing Walk of Fame Every year the Surfing Walk of Fame at Huntington Beach inducts members in the categories of surf pioneers, surfing champions, local heroes, surf culture, woman of the year, and honor roll. Eligibility for each award are as follows:
The surf champion must have held the world championship and/or world class event titles specific to the city of Huntington Beach. Woman of the Year winners are chosen based on who garners the most collective votes from the surfing champions, surfing culture, surf pioneers, and local heroes categories. Local Hero award winners have either resided in Huntington Beach for ten years or graduated from the Huntington Beach Union High School District and were finalists in the surfing champions category, contributed to Huntington Beach surfing culture, were surf pioneers in the city, or were champions of the annual Huntington Beach City Championships.
Year Surfing Champion Woman of the Year Local Hero Surf Pioneer Surf Culture Honor Roll2026 Jordy Smith Patti Paniccia Joey Hawkins Mike Purpus Phil Roberts Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean2025 2024 Felipe Pomar Sally Fitzgibbons Jeff Deffenbaugh Bing Copeland Doug Warbrick, Brian Singer (founders of Rip Curl Mike Hynson2019 Derek Ho, Joel Tudor Courtney Conlogue Sam Hawk Reynolds "Renny" Yater Jeff Divine, Art Brewer Don MacAllister2018 2017 Barton Lynch Pam Burridge Timmy Reyes Jeff Hakman Jim Jenks Huntington Beach High School 50th Anniversary Coaches2016 C. J. HobgoodMary Lou McGinnis Drummy Timmy Turner Whitey Harrison, Joey Cabell Bob Hurley Women's International Surfing Association (WISA)2015 Reno AbelliraSofía Mulánovich John Boozer Paul Strauch Dick Graham David Nuuhiwa, Sr.2014 Larry BertlemannPhyllis O'Donnell Mike Haley Randy Rarick John Van Hamersveld Vince Moorhouse2013 Taylor Knox Keala KennellySharron Weber Roy Crump, journalist Donald Takayama Jack McCoy, filmmaker Father Christian Mondor 2012 Michael Ho Alisa Schwarzstein-Cairns George Draper Michael Peterson and Dick Brewer Sean CollinsMike Cianciulli,Surfline.com, August 2, 2012, "Sean Collins Inducted into Surfing Walk of Fame". Retrieved August 30, 2012. Stacy Wood, Dwyer Middle School surf coach 2011 Rob MachadoDebbie BeachamKathy "Gidget" Kohner Bill Fury Skip Frye Dick Dale Hole in the Wall Gang surf team 2010 Sunny Garcia, Ian Cairns Candy Calhoun Rick "Rockin Fig" Fignetti Dewey Weber Dave Rochlen Dick Baker 2009 Mark Martinson Wendy Botha Jackie Baxter Fred Hemmings Duke Boyd 50 Years at the HB Pier (Men's and Women's) 2008 Andy Irons Lynne Boyer Rich Chew Buzzy Trent and Wayne Lynch Drew Kampion The NSSA Founders of 1978 2007 Midget Farrelly Mimi Munro Scott Farnsworth George Greenough Bill and Bob Meistrell The H.B. Boys of 55' 2006 L.J Richards Layne Beachley Bob "The Greek" Bolen Mickey Muñoz Walter & Phillip Hoffman Jan Gaffney 2005 David Nuuhiwa Kim Hamrock Carl Hayward Buffalo Keaulana George Greenough Paul Morrow 2004 Corky Carroll Lisa Andersen Rich Harbour Pat Curren Gordon Clark Meg Bernardo 2003 Martin Potter Marge Calhoun Chuck Linnen Mike Doyle Larry "Flame" Moore and Tom Morey Michelle Turner 2002 Kelly Slater Kim Mearig Brad Gerlach Miki Dora Steve Pezman Andy Verdone 2001 Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew Janice Aragon David Nuuhiwa Rabbit Kekai Simon Anderson Max Bowman 2000 Mark Occhilupo Nancy Katin Bud Llamas Eddie Aikau and Gerry Lopez MacGillivray Freeman Mike Abdelmuti and George Farquhar 1999 Tom Carroll Jericho Poppler Jack Haley George Downing Leroy Grannis Chuck Allen 1998 Peter "PT" Townend Frieda Zamba Chuck Dent Dr. John Heath "Doc" Ball Jack O'Neill Ann Beasley and Natalie Kotsch 1997 Shaun Tomson Linda Benson Gordie Duane Dale Velzy Hobie Alter and Rick Griffin Bud and Gordie Higgins 1996 Nat Young Rell Sunn Corky Carroll Greg Noll Bud Browne Tom Pratte and John Rothrock 1995 Tom Curren Margo Oberg Herbie Fletcher Phil Edwards John Severson Jack Hokanson 1994 Mark Richard Joyce Hoffman Robert August Tom Blake and Honorary induction for Duke Kahanamoku, the "Father of Surfing" Bruce Brown None
Surfers' Hall of Fame Inductees by year are as follows: 2026: Courtney Conlogue, Jay Larson 2025: Dwight Dunn, Caroline Marks, Tom Servais, Kolby Aipa (awarded posthumously on September 18, 2025) 2024: Jeff Deffenbaugh, Jamie O’Brien, Ilima Kalama, Sugar the Surfing Dog (inducted in December 2024) 2022: Peter Mel, Martin Daly, Michele Turner 2019: Janice Aragon, Kai Lenny, Sam Hawk 2018: Ben Aipa, Herbie Fletcher, Brett Simpson 2017: Mick Fanning, Bethany Hamilton 2016: Blaine "Sumo" Sato, Shawn Stussy, Ryan Turner 2015: Gordon "Grubby" Clark, C.J. Hobgood, John Davis 2014: Timmy Turner, Carissa Moore, Rusty Preisendorfer 2013: Skip Frye, Rick "Rockin' Fig" Fignetti, Shane Dorian 2012: Rabbit Kekai, Dane Reynolds, Andy Verdone 2011: George Downing, Chuck Linnen, Simon Anderson, Taylor Knox 2010: Stephanie Gilmore, Ian Cairns, Randy Lewis 2009: Dick Baker, Chris Hawk, Joey Buran, Pat O'Connell, Bruce Brown, Jeff Hakman 2008: Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Sean Collins, Brad Gerlach, Mike Parsons 2007: Martin Potter, Bruce Irons, Al Merrick, Sofia Mulanovich 2006: Layne Beachley, Bob Hurley, Rob Machado, Greg Noll 2005: Carl Hayward, Tom Carroll, Bob McKnight, Mark Richards 2004: David Nuuhiwa, Jack Haley, Jericho Poppler, Mark Occhilupo, Peter "PT" Townend, Gerry Lopez 2003: Andy Irons, Shaun Tomson, Tom Curren, Jack O’Neill, Bud Llamas, Paul Strauch, Mike Doyle 2002: Laird Hamilton, Lisa Andersen, Kelly Slater, Joel Tudor, Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, Robert August, Corky Carroll
References
External links
Official Website