Kelly Slater Wins the U.S.Open of Surfing.

39 year old Kelly Slater captured the U.S.Open of Surfing title in Huntington Beach. Slater pocketed the $100,000 first prize at the event sponsored by Nike 6.0, Hurley and Converse. Slater last won in H.B. in 1996. He bested Aussie Yadin Nicol who barely registered a wave in the final due to a flawed strategy. Sally Fitzgibbons (Aus), 20 topped the ladies field. Brazillian unknown Felipe Toledo won the Jr.Open Men's and 16 year old Cali Girl Lakey Peterson won the Jr. Women's. See Kelly's winning waves in the vid. below.

U.S. Open of Surfing, it's GINORMOUS

Huntington Beach is Surf City.  For 50 weeks out of the year HB is a pretty quiet Orange County burg with a super-phat beach vibe, perfect weather and plenty of surf.  During the first 2 weeks of August, HB is transformed into the center of the surfing universe as over 500,000 (most in bikini's) people hit the beach to join in on the action.  It's the biggest event in surfing.  All the athletes and all the brands are here to shred, to floss and to recreate.  It's all good clean fun.

The U.S. Open of Surfing occurs hot on the heels of X Games.  It's a 10 day celebration of surfing that takes over Huntington Beach. The whole thing is sponsored by Nike and their sister companies Hurley and Converse. International Management Group (IMG) organizes the show.  Additionally there are skate contests, BMX sessions, fashion shows, movie premiers and a full schedule of free music.   All this take place at the Surf Stadium near HB Pier.  The entire industry converges on HB for the biggest event in surfing.

We are sharing these photos courtesy of  U. S OPEN of SURFING.  Click to watch the live-stream.  Photos: Derek Bahn.

Local Talent. HB homie Brett Simpson shoots for a 3 peat in the 2011 U.S. Open of Surfing

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