The Vans US Open of Surfing: Yes, There's Surfing!

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Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) advanced through to RD 4 of the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, CA today. Weston-Webb will now take on Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) for a spot in the Quarterfinals when competition resumes. Photo: ASP/ Morris

$Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA/USA) won through Round 2 of the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Andino was one of the day\'s top performers, netting an 8.33 and a 7.60 for fast and fins free turns and whips. Andino will now face Garrett Parkes (AUS) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA) in Round 3 when competition resumes. Day five of the 2014 Vans US Open of Surfing ran through Rounds 2 & 3 of the ASP Women\'s World Championship Tour event and half of Round 2 of the men\'s Prime competition, in peaky one-to-three foot waves at Huntington Beach Pier. Photo: ASP/ Rowland$

Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA/USA) won through Round 2 of the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Andino was one of the day's top performers, netting an 8.33 and a 7.60 for fast and fins free turns and whips. Andino will now face Garrett Parkes (AUS) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA) in Round 3 when competition resumes. Day five of the 2014 Vans US Open of Surfing ran through Rounds 2 & 3 of the ASP Women's World Championship Tour event and half of Round 2 of the men's Prime competition, in peaky one-to-three foot waves at Huntington Beach Pier. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

$Jadson Andre (BRA) (Pictured) advanced through his opening Vans US Open of Surfing heat in high flying form today. Andre finished 2nd behind Australia\'s Garrett Parkes in one of the most exciting heats of the event thus far, with both surfer unloading monster moves to post excellent scores and secure positions in Round 2. Photo: ASP/ Rowland$

Jadson Andre (BRA) (Pictured) advanced through his opening Vans US Open of Surfing heat in high flying form today. Andre finished 2nd behind Australia's Garrett Parkes in one of the most exciting heats of the event thus far, with both surfer unloading monster moves to post excellent scores and secure positions in Round 2. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

$Carissa Moore (HAW) (Pictured), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending Vans US Open of Surfing Champion, continued her successful run at Huntington Beach. Moore claimed a Round 1 win with a pair of modest scores, securing a Round 3 berth in the process. \"You have half an hour and I was watching the waves and knew there would be some lulls,\" Moore said. \"It was hard to be patient when Leila (Hurst) only needed a five. All of the girls are surfing really well and you have to look at what they\'re doing for inspiration. Sally (Fitzgibbons) is surfing really well and I\'m going to have to do my best if I want a good result here.\" Photo: ASP/ Rowland$

Carissa Moore (HAW) (Pictured), 21, reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending Vans US Open of Surfing Champion, continued her successful run at Huntington Beach. Moore claimed a Round 1 win with a pair of modest scores, securing a Round 3 berth in the process. "You have half an hour and I was watching the waves and knew there would be some lulls," Moore said. "It was hard to be patient when Leila (Hurst) only needed a five. All of the girls are surfing really well and you have to look at what they're doing for inspiration. Sally (Fitzgibbons) is surfing really well and I'm going to have to do my best if I want a good result here." Photo: ASP/ Rowland

$Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) (pictured), Five-Time ASP Women\'s World Champion came flying out of the gates at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Gilmore top scored the opening round with an impressive two wave tally of 15.77 out of a possible 20. Photo: ASP/ Rowland$

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) (pictured), Five-Time ASP Women's World Champion came flying out of the gates at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Gilmore top scored the opening round with an impressive two wave tally of 15.77 out of a possible 20. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

Brazilian duo Jadson Andre and Willian Cardoso led the Round 3 charge at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Both surfers put together excellent combinations of moves to score big points and earn the right to skip Round 4 and advance directly into Round 5. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

Johanne Defay of Reunion Island (pictured) won her Round 4 heat at the Vans US Open of Surfing advancing into the Quarterfinals on Thursday July 31, 2014. Defay will take on Australian Sally Fitzgibbons in the Quarterfinals. Photo: ASP/ Morris

$Hawaii\'s Keanu Asing was impressive in Round 3 of the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Asing linked together powerful and progressive turns to net a 9.00 and a 7.73 and a win over Aritz Aranburu (ESP) and Bino Lopes (BRA) to earn the right to skip Round 4 and advance directly into Round 5. Photo: ASP/ Rowland$

Hawaii's Keanu Asing was impressive in Round 3 of the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Asing linked together powerful and progressive turns to net a 9.00 and a 7.73 and a win over Aritz Aranburu (ESP) and Bino Lopes (BRA) to earn the right to skip Round 4 and advance directly into Round 5. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

Kolohe Andino (San Clemente, CA/USA) won his Round 3 clash against Garrett Parkes (AUS) and Peterson Crisanto (BRA) at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. The win sees Andino skip Round 4 and advance directly into Round 5. Photo: ASP/ Morris

Lakey Peterson (USA), 19, 2012 US Open Champion, continued her affinity with Huntington Beach lineup, sticking to the Pierbowl rights to take a Quarterfinals slot over Dimity Stoyle (AUS), 22, who leaves the competition in equal 9th place. “In that heat I was trying to be selective and get back into my rhythm,” said Lakey Peterson. “It’s such a young group of people on the Women’s Tour and it’s really cool. Everyone is really pushing the sport right now and it’s great to be a part of that. Steph (Gilmore) is one of my favorite surfers so I’m really looking forward to my Quarterfinal against her.” Photo: ASP/ Morris

Malia Manuel (Kauai, Hawaii) was in dominant form at the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Manuel posted a 9.63 and 8.50 by catching the best waves of the heat and punctuating them with searing snaps and carving turns. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 19, matched the best result of her rookie season, besting replacement surfer Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 20. The rookie pair would engage in a close battle, but The Australian edged out the Hawaiian by a score of 12.90 to 12.50. “That was a really fun heat and Tatiana (Weston-Webb) is surfing really well so congratulations to her,” said Nikki Van Dijk. “She’s pushing all the girls on Tour as a wildcard. Malia (Manuel) is surfing amazing right now so I’ve got nothing to lose in my Quarterfinal against her. I just want to do my best surfing and I’m stoked to be in the Quarters. I’d love to keep going so I’ll just push it as hard as I can, have fun and enjoy surfing Huntington.” Photo: ASP/ Morris

Lakey Peterson (USA) (Pictured), 19, 2012 US Open Champion, was in rhythm with the Huntington Beach lineup from start-to-finish, posting a commanding Round 1 win over Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), 20, and Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 19. “Steph (Gilmore) was watching it for a long time before my heat and she’s really good at knowing where to sit,” Peterson said. “I was looking at the lefts, that’s the spot, the lefts into the pier. I’m glad I got a couple and it feels good to be home. This is the event that is awesome for Californians. The crowd is amazing, the fans are amazing and I’ve always done well here. I won here in 2012 and haven’t won since. It’d be nice to get back up on the podium.” Photo: ASP/ Rowland

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 23, 2011 US Open Champion and current World No. 2, continued her successful run in Huntington Beach, besting rookies Dimity Stoyle (AUS), 22, and Johanne Defay (FRA), 20, while posting a Round 3 win to advance into the Quarterfinals. “I went out there wanting to start strong because it can be unpredictable here,” Sally Fitzgibbons. “You can’t rush Huntington, you just have to wait and be patient and hope you get some nice sets. This year has been great at the US Open and really special. There’s been big groups of girls around who have been sharing their stories and what they’re passionate about. I think it’s important for us to be out there inspiring the younger generation.” Photo: ASP/ Morris

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 26, who collected a US Open win in 2007, put together another dominant performance in Round 3. The Australian surfed the tricky beachbreak with a textbook approach, connecting strong outside turns and committed inside maneuvers on the reform for another convincing heat win. “There was a lot of action at the start of the heat,” said Stephanie Gilmore. “Lakey (Peterson), myself and Paige (Hareb) all got quite a lot of waves and I knew I needed to get busy early because it could go quiet. I pieced things together well in that heat. I’ve been coming here since I was 13 and won it once in 2007 when it was a QS. It’s a wild event, there’s so much going on and it’s very colorful. It’s a lot of fun, a great experience and I’ve always had a good time here. I hope I can get a win in again.” Photo: ASP/ Morris

Filipe Toledo (BRA) launched into Round 3 of the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach today. Toledo finished 2nd behind Matt Banting (AUS) to advance and will now face Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) and Kanoa Igarashi (USA) when competition resumes. Photo: ASP/ Rowland

Tyler Wright (AUS), 20, current ASP World No. 4, was in devastating form against fellow Australian Laura Enever (AUS), 22. Wright proved to be the standout of the Round, quickly belting an excellent 9.00 for a series of committed turns followed by a clean frontside air for an 8.67. Wright’s efforts left Enever in a combination situation and she secured a convincing Quarterfinals berth. “Yesterday I didn’t catch a lot of waves and Malia (Manuel) went to town, but even then I still felt confident,” said Tyler Wright. “I always love surfing against Carissa (Moore) and we always seem to meet up. Generally we’re on the other side of the draw and meet up in Final. She’s a phenomenal surfer and is always kicking my butt. I’m going to go out there and do my thing and hopefully it’ll be entertaining.” Photo: ASP/ Morris

The Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach is a carnival. It’s not really about surfing – it’s more about the scene, which is pretty awesome, even though it sometimes involves a riot or two. The surfing just acts as a catalyst, of sorts. People show up. People party. People surf. But most of all, people party. And while Huntington doesn’t normally get amazing waves (it’s a surf contest in California in mid-summer), it does get amazing surfers, and they do pretty amazing things on not-so-amazing waves. See proof above. One-to-three foot slop doesn’t usually equal gouging turns and big-ass boosts, but somehow, amid the Huntington cacophony, those were both accomplished.

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