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Industry Press Releases
HONDA U.S. OPEN OF SURFING AND BEACH FESTIVAL
RETURNS TO FAMED HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER, JULY 20 TO 29, 2007
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – California’s
quintessential action sport, music and lifestyle festival, the Honda
U.S. Open of Surfing and Beach Festival, returns to the Huntington
Beach Pier from July 20 to 29, 2007. Anchored by the prestigious
Honda U.S. Open of Surfing Presented by O’Neill, more than
600 world-class surfing, skateboarding, FMX and BMX athletes compete
amid America’s largest ocean-front exposition. All of the
action will be accessible live on www.usopenofsurfing.com.
“Honda has supported the U.S. Open of Surfing
for five consecutive years,” said Jennifer Lau, Event Director
of IMG Action Sports. “Their commitment and support to the
event and surfing industry has been consistent and unwavering, and
IMG is excited to have Honda on board once again.”
With a colorful history dating back to 1959, the
featured Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O’Neill boasts
North America’s only six-star World Qualifying Series-rated
men’s and women’s events. The men’s Lost Pro Junior
also returns (ages 19 and under) along with longboarding and the
star-studded “They Will Surf Again” expression session.
Cash prizes totaling $175,000 are on the line for what has been
described as the “world’s largest professional surfing
competition.” Prior event champions include Andy Irons, Kelly
Slater, Cory Lopez, Layne Beachley, Rob Machado and Sofia Mulanovich.
Against the backdrop of 12 acres of action-packed
activities for all ages, Freestyle Moto-Cross (FMX) fuels the beach
festival with electrifying crowds with daredevil double-seat grabs,
cliffhangers and gravity-defying back-flips. A custom-built course,
within a stones throw of the Pacific Ocean, allows spectators to
be within a few feet of top FMX stars, which may include Nate Adams,
Jeff Tilton, Jeff “Ox” Kargola and X Games medalist
Mike Mason.
A slew of BMX superheroes and skateboard stars battle in the Honda
Soul Bowl, a unique action sports competition apparatus that combines
the core or “soulful” elements and history of pool riding
with the freestyle and modern attributes of half-pipe competition.
Skaters and bikers drop into the 13 foot deep kidney-shaped “pool”
and vie for serious prize money. Prior competitors include Brian
Patch, Tony Magnusson, Cara-Beth Burnside, Mat “Condor”
Hoffman and Tony Magnusson.
An estimated 400,000 spectators also will enjoy
the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing’s interactive festival featuring
the TransWorld SURF’s Tomorrow Beach: a central hub for surf
industry brands; Honda Base Camp: an interactive area featuring
music, video games and autograph sessions; Teen Vogue Fashion Live!
(a high energy runway fashion show); and the Beach Festival Concert
Stage (live music from national acts). More than 100 exhibits, athlete
autograph signings, dance contests, DJs, live music, guest emcees
and prize giveaways are among the myriad activities.
“This is our fifth consecutive year as the
title sponsor of this event and we’ve found it to be a great
fit,” said Issaac Gooden, Manager, Honda Events and Promotions.
“Many of our vehicles are designed for and appeal to outdoor
sports enthusiasts with active lifestyles. This is also reflected
in our popular Honda Beach Camp, our tribute to the total Southern
California lifestyle where visitors can participate in a drum circle
and visit airbrush tattoo artists, learn about the Pacific Ocean
and its inhabitants (courtesy of the Long Beach Aquarium of the
Pacific), and support the Life Rolls On Foundation.
“This diverse Southern California culture
is also evident throughout Honda’s entire line of vehicles,
including the environmentally- and surfer-friendly Element and Fit,
both of which are once-again proudly on display for attendees’
interaction at this year’s event.”
The Honda U.S. Open of Surfing and Beach Festival
will be broadcast to 60 million households on the highly acclaimed
action sports, music and youth lifestyle magazine show on “Fusion
TV”, now airing on Versus (formerly Outdoor Life Network).
Three one-hour Fusion TV programs will air on Tuesdays and Saturday’s
for consecutive weeks in August/early September 2007.
All events during the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing
and Beach Festival are open to the public, free of charge. The early
rounds of surfing begin on Friday, July 20 and run through Sunday,
July 29. Festival activities, BMX and skate competitions begin on
Thursday, July 26 with FMX starting on Friday, July 27th. More extensive
consumer information is available at www.usopenofsurfing.com.
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Press Contacts:
Mike Kingsbury, Cherie Whyte
MKM
Mike@teammkm.com
Cherie@teammkm.com
(714) 375-2188
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