Huntington Beach has been buzzing the past few days as the industry has descended on the city for the Vans US Open of Surfing.
Vans brought a large contingent of retailers to town for the event including HIC, Pilgrim, Proof Lab, Heritage, Hanger 94, WRV and more.
Jack’s hosted the Surfing Walk of Fame celebration Thursday which honored Bob McKnight of Quiksilver, Fernando Aguerre of the ISA, professional surfers Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore, local hero Randy Lewis, surf pioneer Ben Aipa and Steve Van Doren of Vans.
Today, HSS hosted the Surfers’ Hall of Fame ceremony, which recognized the legendary Herbie Fletcher and Ben Aipa and local hero and professional surfer Brett Simpson.
We attended several industry events and visited the Vans store on the sand, and we have photos of who and what we saw along the way.
Josh Hansen and wife, Ashli - SES file photo
Dave Tichiaz of Vans and Bobby Abdel of Jack's
Carlos Pardo and Coco Tihanyi of Surf Diva
Stephanie White and Mike Hamabe of Vans, Joe Edukas of Surfside Sports, Suzy Kreber of Vans
EJ Heintz and Henry Cosio of Vans, Blake Richards of Val Surf, and Ryan Clasen and Victor Vasquez of Vans
Jim and Tracy Hennessy of Heritage in New Jersey
Milo and Julie Myers of Hanger 94
Herbie Fletcher at the Surfers' Hall of Fame - Photo courtesy of HSS
Brett Simpson at the Surfers' Hall of Fame - Photo courtesy of HSS
Sunny Garcia and Ben Aipa's son, Duke, help Ben make his mark in cement at the Hall of Fame - Photo courtesy of HSS
The Surfers' Hall of Fame honorees - Herbie Fletcher, Ben Aipa and Brett Simpson
Laylan Connelly of the OC Register and Aaron Pai of HSS
Dibi Fletcher, wife of Herbie Fletcher
Quiksilver's Bob McKnight was inducted into the Walk of Fame - Photo courtesy of Jack's
Fernando Aguerre and Steve Van Doren were also honored at the Surfing Walk of Fame - Photo courtesy of Jack's
Stephanie Gilmore was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame
Everyone wanted a photo with Sunny Garcia at the Surfers' Hall of Fame ceremony
PT in his element
Randy Hild at the Surfers' Hall of Fame
Brett Simpson's Dad, Bill, a former football player for the Rams, talking with Milo Myers of Hanger 94
The busy Vans store on the sand
The store was crowded even early in the day on Friday
The lanyard Vans handed out to all at the contest encouraging them to sign up for the loyalty program
Handing out the landyards on the sand for the Vans Family loyalty program
Lots of attendees were buying shoes at the Vans store on the sand
The store sold more than apparel and shoes
Bruce Cromartie of BC Surf & Sport with Jim Hennessy of Heritage at the Vans US Open of Surfing
Lance Eddy of Vans and Celeste Tonai of HIC
The Myers family of Hanger 94 watching the BMX action
Mike Sheldon of HSS
Hydro Flask making the most of its relationship with the WSL and its entry into the surf channel
Hydro Flask water stations at the contest
Taking advantage of the workout class on the sand
Body Glove flew a banner over the contest site
Ben Aipa left his mark in front of HSS
Steven Fisher and Adrienne Belk of Surf Expo at the Hall of Fame ceremony
Many in the crowd wanted a photo with local hero Brett Simpson
The BMX competition was running on Friday
Gorgeous weather graced the contest on Friday
Team HSS: Lee Gatlin and Aaron, Trevor and Taylor Pai - Photo courtesy of HSS
