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VANS U.S. Open of Surfing Opening Weekend

The Vans US Open of Surfing opened on a very foggy Saturday morning. When #SurfCityFamily visited at around 10 am that day many of the booths were not yet ready and even the sand sculpture at the entrance had yet to be made. The annual nine-day event brings together the world’s elite in surfing, skateboarding and BMX. Day one marked the Men’s Surf Trails Round 1 and Quarterfinals. There was a brief morning weather delay, due to thick fog that even engulfed the iconic Huntington Beach Pier. Before long, the surf competition was underway. The Highest Heat Score of the day was by Keoni Yan in Round 1, Heat 2 and the Highest Wave Score of the day was by Lucca Mesinas in Round 1, Heat 3.

US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach pier
Photo by Van Kirk, World Surf League

Here are some photos we took on opening day:

vans_sandsculpture_larrytenney
Photo by Larry Tenney
Family-friendly activities at VANS area. Photo by Marcie Taylor.
Family-friendly activities at VANS area. Photo by Marcie Taylor.

Here’s the official report from #VansUSOpen at the end of Day 2. Perhaps for Surf City the highlight was Huntington Beach local Derek Peters winning the men’s trials!

The Junior Men’s division completed Rounds 1 and 2 today in three-to-five foot (1-1.5 meter) waves in Huntington Beach, California. Showcasing the next generation’s progression and passion, the Juniors dominated the southside of the Huntington Beach pier to determine the Quarterfinalists of the event. Griffin Colapinto (USA), defending Vans US Open of Surfing Junior Champion, is on track to retain his Title as he dominated both his Round 1 and Round 2 heats. Colapinto – the 17-year-old from San Clemente, California – set the bar for the Juniors by landing the highest single wave score of the day, a near-perfect 9.83, which earned him an impressive 16.50 heat score, also the highest of the day. His efforts will see him advance to the Quarterfinals, along with Jacob Burke (BRB) who landed the second position of Round 2 Heat 5.

Griffin Colapinto and a rare HB barrel. © WSL / Rowland
Griffin Colapinto and a rare HB barrel.
© WSL / Rowland

Meanwhile, in the Men’s Surf Trials Semifinals and Finals, the day saw Derek Peters (USA) win the men’s Trials where 32 surfers battled for one coveted spot into the Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Qualifying Series 10,000 event. Peters strung together an impressive run as he plowed through four rounds en route to the Final. Peters claimed the first spot in an exciting final between Jake Marshall (USA), Seth Moniz (HAW) and Lucca Mesinas (PER). Marshall set the tone of the Final with an excellent 8.33 on his opening ride, backed up by a solid 6.10. Peters trailed closely with two strong scores, including a commanding 8.30. Marshall kept busy catching more waves in an attempt to improve his heat total, but Peters stayed selective with a critical 7.00 to take control away from Marshall. Peters was able to hold his lead over the field and will advance out of the trails and into the main event.

Derek Peters wins the Trials of the 2016 US Open of Surfing. © WSL / Van Kirk
Derek Peters wins the Trials of the 2016 US Open of Surfing.
© WSL / Van Kirk

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