On Friday, August 2, 2024, the 2024 Lexus US Open of Surfing kicked off with warm-up activities at the Huntington Beach Pier in Orange County, California. The Acjachemen tribe, indigenous to Orange County, gathered on the beach to offer prayers for the surfing competition.
The tribal singers performed the “Ocean Song” together and lit dried white sage leaves in a large seashell. The group’s leader, Adelia Sandoval, stated, “We respect the ocean and hope it provides a good environment for the participants.”
Sandoval introduced the tribe as a California and Orange County certified Native American tribe that is striving for federal recognition in order to establish government-to-government relations with the United States. Their application for recognition was denied by the federal government in 2011, and the tribe is preparing a new petition. Federal recognition would ensure the tribe’s rights to artifacts found on their land and access to federal benefits such as land allotments and child welfare.
The competition is scheduled to take place from August 3 to 11 in the waters south of the Huntington Beach Pier. The World Surf League (WSL) will host two events at the location: the WSL Longboard Tour (second stop) and the WSL Challenger Series (fourth stop), with the latter being a primary path to qualify for the elite Championship Tour.
According to the organizing committee, this local event is the world’s largest surfing competition, spanning nine days of contests. Since 1959, the Surf City has annually welcomed top athletes from around the globe, and the public can watch the competition for free on the beach or from the pier. Additionally, a stage is set up on the beach for daily live music performances by different groups, while over 30 vendors offer food, drinks, athlete signings, movie nights, and giveaways.
A mother with her child recommended catching the band Sublime’s performance on Saturday at the Hurley Stage, the first music concert arranged by the organizers. Makua Rothman, the 2015 WSL Big Wave Tour Champion, will also provide a special opening performance.
Years of surfing events have turned the beaches around Huntington Beach into a paradise for many surfing enthusiasts. Resident Tim, who enjoys surfing in the morning and observing other surfers from the pier, shared his experience. Tim emphasized the importance of swimming skills and staying aware of the surroundings with surfboards in the water, as well as avoiding swimmers. He mentioned that the most challenging part is timing the waves correctly and enjoying the natural flow on the water’s surface.
Surfing typically involves two types of boards: longboards and shortboards. Tim, who only surfs on a shortboard, believes that the biggest challenge is finding the right technique and positioning oneself correctly in the water. He stressed that practice leads to better feelings and rewards in surfing.
In addition to the joy of surfing, Tim was pleasantly surprised to spot dolphins leaping out of the water in an arc. A large cargo ship and an offshore oil drilling platform were visible not far from the coastline, leaving Tim amazed at the diverse marine life present in the area.