Stand-up paddle surfing a success at U.S. Open
Stand-up paddle surfing debuted at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing on Sunday, with the Corona Stand-up Paddle Surf Challenge at the Huntington Beach Pier.
The first-time event featured a standout surfer from Laguna Beach and showcased some of the world’s top surfers competing on individually chosen, Surftech-built stand-up paddleboards.
Laguna Beach resident Pat O’Connell, a former World Championship Tour surfer, was one of eight athletes in the competition.
Noah Shimabukuro of Oceanside won the inaugural event by scoring 16 out of a possible 20 points. He finished ahead of Rocky McKinnon of Huntington Beach and Jeremy Porfilio of Los Angeles.
“I was really stoked to be part of this inaugural event, and it was an honor and an unbelievable opportunity to surf with this diverse collection of surfing legends and stars,” Shimabukuro said. “Today was a great day for me and a historic day for stand-up paddle surfing.”
“” Mike Sciacca
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