Stand-Up Paddle Surf Challenge to make debut

Stand-up paddle surfing will make its debut at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing on Sunday when the Corona Stand-up Paddle Surf Challenge hits the Huntington Beach Pier. The inaugural event will feature a standout surfer from Laguna Beach.

Pat O’Connell, a former World Championship Tour surfer and one of the stars of the movie, “Endless Summer 2,” is one of seven athletes scheduled for the competition. The event will showcase some of the world’s top surfers competing on individually chosen, Surftech-built stand-up paddleboards.

The challenge begins at approximately 1:20 p.m.

The modern version of Stand-up Paddle Surfing originated in the 1960s in Hawaii and in the last decade, some of the world’s top surfers used paddle surfing as a training tool when the surf was down.

“The Honda U.S. Open of Surfing is the world’s largest forum for showcasing all things surf and lifestyle and the Corona Stand-up Paddle Surf Challenge is sure to be a relevant addition to the mix,” said James Leitz, vice president of International Management Group and executive producer of the event.

“” Mike Sciacca