— Photos by Parker Reposa and Jim Collins
The Nike US Open of Surfing beckoned Newporters to the beach between July 30 and Aug. 7.
The event offered sport, music and art along 14 acres of sand in Huntington Beach for over 500,000 people. The best in surf, skate, BMX, music, fashion and art were showcased.
“It’s hard to match the experience of the world’s best in sports, music and art coming together on the beach in one of action sports’ most iconic locations,” said Sandy Bodecker, VP Nike Action Sports. “Our commitment this year is to bring the energy from Huntington Beach to even more fans across the world.”
American Kelly Slater took first place for the men with 16.27 points, wiping out the runner-up, Australian Yadin Nicol, who had just 2.57 points. Sally Fitzgibbons, also hailing from the land down under, scooped up the top spot for women with 14.23 points.
In the junior men category, Filipe Toledo from Brazil took first and local boy, 17-year-old Kolohe Andino from San Clemente, placed second. Andino also placed third in the main event for men. In the junior women, 16-year-old Santa Barbara star Lakey Peterson earned the first place prize. Peterson also placed second in the main event for women.
Newport Beach’s own Tim Reyes made it to the 15th heat in the round of 96 (Round 1) before being eliminated for placing third with 12.67 points.
Students from Corona del Mar High School also competed, not by surfing, but by strutting their stuff on the catwalk in Hurley’s 5th Annual Walk the Walk fashion show. Only four other schools made it to the finals in the nation-wide contest. The CdM students gave a peace and freedom inspired performance for thousands of onlookers and celebrity judges. The Sea Kings won the men’s Head-to-Toe Design challenge. Grossmont High School from El Cajon won the $25,000 prize for the entire event.
