Article

Vans Sponsors US Open

The US Open of Surfing will return to Huntington under a new banner

| posted on February 07, 2013

Every summer, one million surf fans flock to Huntington, which will be canvassed in Vans logos come July. Photo: Ellis

You can take Nike out of surfing, but you can’t take surfing out of the mainstream. Even though the Swoosh severed ties with the US Open of Surfing in September, (and from all of surfing in November), the throngs of bronzed and belligerent will again descend upon Huntington Beach this summer. But this time, there will be different logos sprayed on lower backs.

The US Open of Surfing has been a mainstay within the surf industry for 20 years now, under the banner of many different brands. Now, for the next three years at least, Vans will present the nine-day festival of skate, surf, and skin in July. The Orange County based shoe and apparel company inked a deal with IMG to be the event’s title sponsor for 2013 and beyond.

“This is a big moment for the Open,” says James Leitz, senior vice president of IMG. “The event has been growing rapidly over the past several years and Vans has stepped in and harnessed all that energy. With their authentic roots and inclusive vision, they will help steer this massive happening for many years to come.”

The US Open annually brings in more than one million spectators to Huntington for a multi-course serving of surf, skate, music, and retail. The men’s surfing event is traditionally an ASP Prime contest, and the women’s event has been the final stop on the Women’s World Tour for the last few years. It’s still unclear whether these contracts will be renewed with the ASP, with both events appearing as tentative on their respective 2013 schedules.

The 2013 Vans US Open of Surfing will be take place July 20-28 in Huntington Beach.

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Comments

Alain
February 18, 2013 7:15 pm

I hope AB Surfboard Repair gets invited BACK! THEY ROCKED the repair tent!!!

Judge #3
February 8, 2013 5:38 pm

Considering everything about the event, Vans fits in like a glove. Good on ya guys

Hamburger
February 7, 2013 9:39 pm

Good on Vans! Stoked to see them comming up recently. Does this mean the brothers gudauskas are gonna be doing some announcing or something? Hope so.

gannysesh
February 7, 2013 2:28 pm

Hey everyone, I’m gonna be manning the VANS tattoo both at the US Open. Come on by! If you got a Swoosh tat last year, I’ll transform it in the V in VANS for $25, and then it’s $10 for each additional letter. Otherwise, it’s $15 per letter. That’s a $5 savings, and you get the added bennie of not sporting last year’s sponsor. Must show your receipt from last year, though.