Vans US Open of Surfing – 2015
The Vans US Open of Surfing was filled with sun, sand, and of course, surfing! Once again, I spent several days photographing this week-long sporting event in Huntington Beach.
Increased Security Measures and Changes Made Since 2013
After the 2013 event, where riots occurred on the final day, the organizers have made some significant changes in the last two years, and this year it’s finally paying off. Security, both uniformed and plainclothes, can be seen everywhere. The concerts were eliminated last year, which ended the super large unruly crowds. It’s really more about surfing and skateboarding, which is how it should be.
So here are a few photos from this past week at the 2015 US Open of Surfing in HB.
Non-Stop Surfing and Skateboarding
Of course, surfing is the main reason most people attend the event. There’s nonstop surfing from the beginning of the week all the way up to the final Sunday. Sure, there are days when mother nature doesn’t cooperate, and we have pro surfers trying to compete in 2-3 ft waves, but that’s the way it is here in Huntington Beach during the summer.
When one is not watching the surfers, there’s still lots to do at the beach. Whether you lay out and enjoy the sun, head out to the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier for a dip in the water, or just people watch, there is always something to do or see.
Hot Summer Days in HB
For the past several years, Southern California has had some really hot summers, and this year was no exception. So it seemed like everyone headed to the beach, especially during the US Open of Surfing week. And with lots of people, of course, come lots of people watching, and what better place to do it than on a warm summer day in HB!
Overall, it was a fun week for all. There were no major problems like in 2013, so that was a good thing. The 2015 US Open of Surfing went on without a hitch. As always, if you want to know what gear I use, be sure to visit My Photo Gear page to get a full list.
If you want to see all the articles (past and current year) that I’ve posted then just see my US Open of Surfing page.
