Surfing Huntington Highlights and Key Takeaways

Surfing Huntington Highlights and Key Takeaways

Huntington Beach hosts the final day of the US Open of Surfing, with competitors riding epic swells from a tropical storm. Commentators call it the best surfing in nearly 50 years at the iconic pier, as Olympic medalists and top surfers battle for the championship.

Huntington Beach hosts US Open of Surfing final. | Transcript:

Tim Beach, famously known for its ideal surfing. They're hosting the final day of the US Open and as Shauna mentioned, it's going to be hot and it's going to be a great place to cool off. NBC4's Annette Ariel live in Huntington Beach. Annette, you're there. You just spoke to the broadcasters and surfers who say in their words, the waves are epic uh because of the tropical storm there in the Pacific. Um so you're back for the big finale. What's on the docket today? So much happening, but more importantly, Michelle, is the fact that we are crowning our champions and to speak about all things surfing, none other than AJ McCort. She is a commentator for

the World Surfing League. Thank you so much for joining us this morning. How you doing? I'm so excited. This has been one of the best US Open of surfings that we have had here in Huntington Beach. We've been having them here at U at the pier at HB for nearly 50 years. And the waves this week have been incredible. The level of surfing has been the best it's ever been. And it's I'm so excited to find out who's gonna win today. And you know, we were talking AJ about the fact that we have a couple of Olympians out here vying for that prime spot. Yes, we have three Olympians still in the draw on the women's side. Joanne DeFay who served for France and actually won a medal at the Paris 2024 games. And then Canoa Igarashi and Griffin Kapinto

on the men's side. Canoa is from right here in Huntington Beach. So, it's so fun. Every time he hits the water, the sand, the pier, it goes absolutely wild. Yes. So, we were also talking about the first uh you know, we have the first leg of the race happening at 8:00 this morning and people have been pouring just flocking to the beach because you know, just the temperatures, they're seeking a little bit of that relief. You were telling me you have to come out here early or else you're not going to get a spot. That's how big the crowds have been out here for this US Open of surfing.

Yes, we have. Every year on finals day, thousands of people on the sand at Huntington Beach. There's already the first like three lines I would say at the tide mark have started filling in. So, if you're coming down to Huntington Beach, get going because it is the time now. The first competition, the first heat of the day starts at 8:05. But the other thing that's really cool about coming down to the US Open of Surfing is that there's so many things to do around the competition. So if you come down to the contest, there's also a whole village. There's a festival with incredible brands, big screens to watch the event. So it's really quite the party down here in HB. And I don't think you want to miss it.

Absolutely. We don't. We're going to be here. Okay. So now you have a plan on this fine Sunday morning. Come out, enjoy. You don't even have to go frolicking in the water. We do know that those waves can be a bit dangerous, so we'll leave that to the experts. But just sit down, relax, take it all in and cool off a little. Michelle, we'll send it back to you. Sounds like it's going to be one for the record books this year. Okay. Thank you so much, Annette. Have fun out there.

More Sports Transcript