U.S. Open of Surfing back in all its glory

It’s here -- the event Surf City is famous for, the U.S. Open of

Surfing.

Sure, some may hope the Fourth of July parade is what we’re known

for here, but we don’t live in Parade City.

They can change the name of the event and put all the sponsor

titles they want in front of it, but one thing has stayed the same:

each summer, world-class surfing comes to Huntington Beach.

So let’s once again welcome it with open arms, because it’s an

honor. And while people go to Hollywood to see the screen and stage

celebrities’ stars, you have to come here to see the stars laid out

for surfing’s elite.

This week several more names -- names that are awe-inspiring to

groms and full-grown surfers alike -- will be added to the Surfing

Walk of Fame and Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

These two permanent memorials add a whole new level of legitimacy

to the event.

The Surfing Walk of Fame, which is inlaid in the sidewalk in front

of Jack’s Surfboards honors individuals who have made significant

contributions to the sport and culture of surfing. The five who have

earned a square this year are Charles “Corky” Carroll, Pat Curren,

Gordon “Grubby” Clark, Rich Harbour and Lisa Andersen.

Across the street at Huntington Surf and Sport the 2004 Surfers’

Hall of Fame will immortalize Peter Townend, Jack Haley, Jericho

Poppler, Mark Occhilupo and Gerry Lopez.

This memorial, which began inside the store and has spread out to

the front walk in recent years, contains the handprints and

footprints of surfing legends.

Promoters of the event did not stop there, however. The event has

kept these great traditions and still managed to expand with the

times. The event now also includes BMX and skateboarding

competitions, along with a music festival.

This recent addition draws more than additional tourism, it draws

in more local youth. Huntington Beach has three well-used skate parks

with a fourth in the works. There is clearly an interest in the

sport here.

The musical lineup this year is also top-notch.

So welcome home to the event that helped put our fabulous surf

town on the map.