Let the games begin

Mike Sciacca

Over the next four days, many of the world’s top male, female and

junior surfers will be in Huntington Beach to showcase their talents

during a competition that promises to offer spectators nothing but

heated heats, all leading up to Sunday’s championship finals.

The Honda Element U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill is the

gem among the $225,000 Philips Fusion, America’s original and largest

ocean-front action sports festival, which is expected to draw more

than 200,000 spectators.

It’s the third consecutive year that the surf competition has

anchored Philips Fusion, but the nine-day event, which began July 26

with qualifying round heats, has plenty more to offer than just

surfing.

“Part of the allure of Philips Fusion is that there’s something

for everyone,” said James Leitz, vice president of Image Management

Group X Sports. “There’s surfing, skateboarding and BMX, a music

festival and the latest in Philips technology.”

The main events begin today at 8 a.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m.

Jam-packed schedules are slated for Friday and through the

weekend.

Complimenting Philips Fusion is today’s Huntington Beach Surfing

Walk of Fame induction ceremony in front of Jack’s Surfboards and

Friday’s Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony in front of

Huntington Surf and Sport.

For starters, the U.S. Open of Surfing is North America’s

highest-rated qualifying event and the world’s largest and most

heavily attended professional surfing competition, event organizers

say.

Among the 500 elite surfers scheduled to compete for a $175,000

purse include defending men’s champion Kalani Robb from Hawaii, Cory

Lopez from Florida, former men’s event champions Rob Machado from

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif., and Sunny Garcia from Hawaii, defending

two-time women’s champion Pauline Menczer from Australia and Rochelle

Ballard from Hawaii.

The six-star World Qualifying Series competition offers

competitors the largest point allocation of any mainland event this

year and is the most critical stop on the 2003 Fosters Pro Surfing

Tour.

The U.S. Open of Surfing is North America’s original action sports

event, going back to 1959.

The U.S. Open was the first action sports event to be covered by

Sports Illustrated and ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

Today also marks the opening of a 30,000-square-foot sponsor

village that features vendors, beach lifestyle exhibits and the

TransWorld Surf Lounge.

On the sand, and in addition to the surf competitions, is the

Philips eXpanium Soul Bowl and Philips Best Trick Street Park,

featuring the world’s top skateboarders and BMX riders vying for a

combined purse of $50,000.

Those athletes will be competing in the innovative Soul Bowl,

which boasts a futuristic look of steel and Finnish birch. It

measures 68 feet long, 46 feet wide and 13 feet deep.

The music festival is an interactive affair and includes the

Philips Vortex and the Philips Burn Center, which showcase CD and DVD

burning, athlete autograph sessions, dance contests, DJs, guest

emcees and prize giveaways.

Live regional and national musical acts will perform on the sand

at the Philips Digital Widescreen concert stage, and the Philips

Digital Chalet and Beach House offers those who visit a hands-on

introduction the latest, state-of-the-art Philips products.

The Philips Digital Beach House offers the latest in audio and

video products in three areas.

“Huntington Beach may be known as ‘Surf City USA,’ but it also

lays claim to the title of ‘Granddaddy’ to modern action sports

festivals,” Leitz said.

All events during Philips Fusion are free to the public.

“Philips Fusion offers great appeal to the youth market, but

everyone can enjoy all the competitions and various events taking

place at the pier,” said Naida Osline, special events supervisor for

the city. “There will be a lot to see and do down there. Surfing may

take center stage, but there are other extremely talented athletes

competing in other events.”