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Scene from the sand: Snapshots from the final US Open of Surfing weekend

by in News

  • An improvised jam session breaks out in a sponsor booth on the beach at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

  • Surf fans and beachgoers mix together on the south side of the pier at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Surf fans browse Vans merchandise inside the shop at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

  • Looking North from the pier, the beach is quieter. The city of Long Beach is seen at the distance at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

  • Surf fans sit along the sand, showing their pride in surfers at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

  • Vans employees greet customers with a smile, and sometimes a dance, at the Vans shop at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

  • The beach south of the pier is busy with surf fans and beach goers in the morning at the Vans US Open of Surfing on Saturday, August 4, 2018. (Photo by Matt Masin, Contributing Photographer)

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The cool place to be on Saturday was at the beach, not just because of the ocean breeze that gave beachgoers relief from the inland heat, but because one of the world’s largest action-sports festivals was happening in Surf City.

Crowds filled into the sand on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier on the final weekend of the U.S. Open of Surfing, a nine-day event that draws thousands of people to check out some of the world’s best surfers, skaters and BMX riders, who showcase their skills for fans.

There’s more than just sports happening in Surf City for the event, which kicked off on July 28 and wraps up Sunday, Aug. 5. Beachgoers lined up to play games for free swag, munched on free hot dogs served up for lunch and scoped out the latest gear on display at booths set up along wooden walkways.

Some people decided to get a workout while at the event, testing their strength on a pull up bar at the Army tent, others taking yoga lessons while trying to balance on a surfboard.

For surf fans, the perfect place to be was on the sand, to get a front-row seat as competitors searched for waves to advance to the final day of the contest. Several Orange County surfers beat out the competition on Saturday and will be fighting for U.S. Open of Surfing titles on Sunday.

More info: usopenofsurfing.com