EVENT DESCRIPTION:

Unless you’ve got enough sky miles to fly to Hawaii in winter, the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach is the best opportunity this year to shoot surf action! Top surfers from all over the world will converge on Huntington Beach Municipal Pier for a week of competition. On Sunday, July 26 the culmination of the week long event takes place with big events running from the morning until around 3:00 in the afternoon. You’ve got a great vantage point to shoot here, just pick a spot on the south side of the pier and shoot away. The men’s semifinal heats begin at 9:40, and from that time on, you’ll have practically nonstop photo op’s. This is a big production with grandstands, a festival village and lots of exhibitors. In addition to the surfing, they’re having skate and BMX events inside the festival village, which also photograph quite well.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Like most pro sports events, you can’t use the images commercially. Last year there were photo restrictions at some events inside the festival village, but access is generally quite good. On-street and metered parking is scarce and short term, but there’s subterranean parking off main street about two short blocks from the pier. Expect to get gouged on parking. Last year I think I paid about $20, and used my car as a locker, taking out just a tripod and big lens for the pier shots, and then changing over to just a mid-zoom and flash for the skate park shots. Your best option for underway replenishment is probably Ruby’s Café at the end of the pier, serving up better than average hamburgers at premium prices. Last year the drink exhibitors in the festival area had lots of free samples, but if you wanted a seat at one of the sidewalk café’s along Main Street, fuggetaboutit.

And of course, it’s the beach, so bring sunscreen and shades, and make sure you don’t get any sand in your gear.

Finally, the sponsors are providing the venue, but only God knows the surf forecast. If the swells are really big in midweek during the prelims, I might put together a trip on short notice.

SCHEDULE:

A little change in the schedule here. I've had a change in my own schedule and I won't be able to make it to the event, and neither one of my assistant organizers is available. So this is basically going to be a self-guided event. If you get there before 11:15 a.m., go ahead and shoot the event, just try to time it so you can wander over to Ruby's on the pier at 11:15 to hook up with the other group members (should be easy to spot with the cameras.) It looks like this trip's going to have a small turnout, as there are only a half a dozen people or so. Those of you who are still around in the late afternoon when the sun’s getting low in the sky can head north on PCH to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands for some wildlife photography.

Visit the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing website at http://usopenofsurfin... to see the full event schedule.

WHAT TO BRING:

Around $30 for offstreet parking and food/snacks. Digital SLR & lots of memory. A telephoto (bigger is better, but you can get nice stuff with an 80-200 zoom when surfers are close to the pier.) A big flash if you want to shoot skaters. If you’ve got a big, heavy telephoto, you’ll want to bring a tripod or monopod to take the weight off your arms as you spend hours standing at the rail shooting.