Stakes raised at H.B. Pier

A global record of $100,000 will be offered to the first-place winner in the men’s six-star World Qualifying Series event of the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing, which kicks off this Saturday.

The competitions are expected to draw up to half a million spectators and 500 competitors from all over to celebrate 50 years of competitive surfing at the pier, and will run from Saturday to July 25.

The week is open to the public free of charge.

The additional cash, up $80,000 from $20,000 last year, might be an incentive for those who have already earned enough points for the Assn. of Surfing Professionals World Tour, said Jennifer Hernandez, a spokesperson for MKM, the company promoting the U.S. Open.

“I think it will motivate them [the competitors] more if they’re not in need of the points,” she added.

The first-place surfer in the women’s division will receive $4,500. Prize money for the U.S. Open of Surfing Nike 6.0 Junior Pro boys and girls competitions, among other things, brings the cumulative purse for the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing to $290,000.

Some of the more famous competitors will include nine-time world champion Kelly Slater, former world champions Andy Irons, Mick Fanning, C.J. Hobgood and Sunny Garcia, as well as three-time U.S. Open champion Rob Machado. Huntington Beach resident Brett Simpson, rated among the top 10 World Qualifying Series campaigners, is also slated to compete.

About 250 men are expected to enter the competition, which will ultimately lead to the last man standing the final day of the event. Hurley is sponsoring this year’s festivities for the first time.

“The pier created a half century of incredible moments for surf fans and the world’s best surfers,” said Evan Slater, Hurley’s content manager, in a news release. “Huntington Beach is ground zero for competitive surfing in America, and we’re proud to be a part of that legacy.”

The city will be heavily involved in the week’s events, checking everything from the safety of people in the water nearby to the bands who play on the beach, said Laurie Payne, a spokesperson for the city.

“We have a lot of interaction with the organizers, so we’re not caught off guard and we don’t have any surprises,” she said.

The world’s largest professional surfing competition will also feature festival activities and BMX and skate competitions. Music performers like Shwayze and Matt Kearney will make appearances during the week.

The Huntington Beach-based competition offers North America’s only combined men’s and women’s six-star World Series Qualifier competitions. The event is a great promoter for the city, which wants to see visitors eating at local restaurants and rooming in local hotels, Payne said.

“We’re always happy to host them and have them here,” she said.

Live coverage will be available at www.usopenofsurfing.com.