Aerial stars to highlight Op Newport Classic

The Op Newport Classic, an event billed as “something for every level

of surfer,” opens today at the 56th Street Jetty in Newport Beach and

continues through Sunday.

The event includes surfers on the Association of Surfing

Professionals Tour and aerial specialists from around the world, a

city championship that will showcase local amateur performers of all

ages and female surf instruction.

Headlining the Op Newport Classic are the men’s and women’s pro-am

contests. A total field of 72 male and female professional and

amateur surfers will be competing on a progressive format for local

bragging rights and part of the $5,000 (men) and $2,500 (women)

bounties.

Qualifying heats are scheduled to start Friday and finals will be

on Sunday.

Additionally, a field of 48 sky-bound surfers will be pushing the

boundaries of innovation in the Op Surfing Magazine Airshow, an

aerial battle with a $5,000 prize purse, guaranteed to provide a

dynamic, crowd-pleasing experience for onlookers.

Qualifying heats for the Airshow start today and finals take place

Sunday, immediately prior to the pro-am finale.

The third component of this year’s Op Newport is the 16th annual

Newport Beach surf championships, an amateur surfing contest hosted

by the city of Newport Beach in conjunction with Op, offering up a

booty of products valued at $5,000.