surf city’s jewel

Mike Sciacca

The game is on, which means the surfing at the Huntington Beach Pier

is going to become hotter than usual.

Some of the world’s top athletes in surfing and action sports have

converged this week in Surf City, each putting it on the line as they

compete at the 2004 Bank of the West Beach Games featuring the Honda

U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill.

The event, which got underway Saturday, continues today through

Sunday at the pier.

More than 600 world-class athletes from around the world were

expected for the games, said James Leitz, vice president of

International Management Group X Sports, which stages the games.

“The Bank of the West Beach Games is Southern California’s

quintessential action sports and lifestyle festival with its roots

firmly placed in Surf City, USA,” Leitz said. “The tradition and

heritage of this event dates back nearly five decades to the

mainland’s first major surfing event. Over the years, this event has

become the epicenter of action sport, music and lifestyle.”

The Bank of the West Beach Games is anchored by the Honda U.S.

Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill. It’s North America’s

highest-rated -- six-star -- qualifying event for the World

Championship Tour, and the world’s largest professional surfing

competition.

The U.S. Open will draw 500 of the sport’s elite surfers who will

compete for a $175,000 purse, Leitz said.

Surfing will share the spotlight with action sports such as

skateboarding and BMX riding.

Competitors in those sports will vie a for a portion of a $50,000

purse in the Philips Key Ring “Soul Bowl,” a 68-feet long, 46-feet

wide and 13-feet deep bowl-shaped arena.

New to the games this year is the King and Queen of the Beach

professional volleyball tournament, held on the north side of the

pier, and the Freestyle Motocross Ramp to Ramp Air Show south of the

Soul Bowl.

Spectators also will be able to enjoy an interactive festival as

well as live regional and national musical acts.

All events during the 2004 Bank of the West Beach Games are open

to the public and free of charge.

Today at 10 a.m., the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame, the

nation’s first sidewalk monument honoring surfing, will induct its

11th class in front of Jacks Surfboards.

Friday at 10 a.m., five inductees will be enshrined into the

Surfers’ Hall of Fame during ceremonies at Huntington Surf and Sport.

Included in the 2004 induction class is the late Jack Haley, who

won the inaugural U.S./West Coast Surfing Championships at the pier

in 1959, an event now known as the U.S. Open of Surfing.