HUNTINGTON BEACH, California/USA (June 28, 2017) - The Vans US Open of Surfing will return to the famed shores of Surf City USA starting July 29 through August 6, 2017.
Continuing the tradition of competitive surfing in Huntington Beach since 1959, the Vans US Open of Surfing is one of the largest action sports festivals in the world. The highly-anticipated summer event will feature an exceptional entertainment experience, filled with world-class surf, skate and BMX competitions, in addition to the Van Doren Village, which will host art exhibitions and hands-on creative workshops for attendees.
"The Vans US Open of Surfing delivers a truly collaborative and engaging arena that brings Vans' beloved pillars of action sports, art, music and street culture to life," praised Mitch Whitaker, General Manager of Vans, North America. "Whether you love surfing, skateboarding or BMX, or feel an artistic urge during one of our artist workshops, the Vans US Open revels in the opportunity to bring the entire community together in honor of the industry's most creative and talented pursuits."
This year's surfing lineup will include the sixth stop on the Women's World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in addition to the Men's Qualifying Series (QS) 10,000 event and a combined WSL Pro Junior event.
The WSL Women's Championship Tour event will witness the world's best surfers will take on the southside of the Huntington Beach pier for an opportunity to improve their world title campaigns. The elite field will see the Top 17 battle for the win, including Santa Ana local Courtney Conlogue (USA), defending event winner Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), reigning WSL Champion and current World No. 1 Tyler Wright (AUS) and six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS).
In addition to all the action in the waves, the custom concrete Vans Pro Park on the sand at the Vans US Open festival will once again showcase the incredible athleticism of the world's elite professional skateboarders and BMX riders. Featuring current world champions Alex Sorgente and Brighton Zeuner facing off against top contenders like Pedro Barros, Curren Caples and more, the Vans Park Series brings the fast-paced energy of men's and women's park terrain skateboarding back to the beach in 2017 with the final VPS World Championship Pro Tour global qualifying stops. Additional Vans Park Series programming this year will include crowning the first-ever VPS Americas Continental Champions of park terrain skateboarding, the open pathway to the 2017 VPS World Championships. Meanwhile, expect BMX to cap the week's excitement as stars Gary Young, Chase Hawk, Sergio Layos and more battle it out to determine a new world champion in the culminating event of the inaugural Vans BMX Pro Cup Mens World Championship Series.
The Vans US Open of Surfing will be broadcast LIVE from July 29 - August 6 via VansUSOpenofSurfing.com, WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.
Recognized as the largest professional sports competition and action sports festival in the world, the Vans US Open of Surfing is currently sanctioned and operated by the World Surf League under license from IMG, the event owner. Official partners of this year's event include Vans, Jeep, Airbnb, Michelob Ultra, Hydro Flask, G-Shock, LifeProof, CLIF Bar, D'Angelico Guitars, Red Bull, Frontier, Ralphs, Peet's Coffee, and 7-Eleven. For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com and for continued updates and scheduling for the Vans US Open of Surfing visit VansUSOpenofSurfing.com.
About Vans
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans authentic collections are sold globally in more than 75 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans also owns and operates nearly 600 retail locations around the world. The Vans brand promotes the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression through the support of athletes, musicians and artists and through progressive events and platforms such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, Vans Warped Tour®, and Vans' cultural hub and international music venue, the House of Vans.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 25 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world's greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions.