OC Locals Take Surfing Titles

Billed as the largest active sporting event in North America, the 2018 Vans U.S. Open of Surfing concluded its nine day run in Huntington Beach on Sunday. Local fans packed the beaches in Newport’s northerly neighboring coastal city, just south of the pier. Onlookers cheered when Orange County residents Kanoa Igarashi and Courtney Conlogue captured the titles. This was the second year in a row for Igarashi, who defeated 16-year-old San Clemente phenom rookie, Griffin Colapinto, in a thrilling last minute ride. Conlogue, recovering from a foot injury that has kept her idle for most of the 2018 season, was victorious over world number one, Stephanie Gilmore. The surfing event was plagued by interminable lulls punctuated by small waves.