Breaking Surf: After the Open party announced

Summer is in the air and for many Huntington Beach locals that means one thing, The Vans U.S. Open of Surfing.

Anticipation is palpable for the brand new sponsors and the community can’t wait to see what they’re bringing. One thing for certain, the Surfrider Foundation’s second annual After the Open benefit is happening and if you didn’t attend last year’s spectacular event, then you missed an after party to end all others.

After the Open will once again be held at the Waterfront Hilton Resort in the Driftwood Sands venue directly behind the hotel adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway. Grab your significant surf dude or chick and just cross the street when the awards ceremony for the surfing contest has concluded.

The theme this year is, “FantaSEA 2013” and will include a Bikini Time Machine fashion show, a concert featuring live local bands in the “Beachpit,” local restaurants in a mini-taste of Huntington Beach, an ocean art gallery highlighting Surfrider-sponsored artists and a live auction by surfing greats, P.T. Townend and “The Voice” of the U.S. Open, Rockin’ Fig. Tickets will be available online and in selected local businesses the second week in June. Stay tuned for more details.

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Rockin’ Fig Does It Again

On May 19 the West Coast Championships were held on the southside of Huntington Beach Pier where Rick “Rockin’” Fig Fignetti shattered a record with his 23rd consecutive win and 15th West Coast title in the Explorer Duke Division.

Not to be upstaged by the younger grommes’ slashin’ and splashin’, Fignetti roared by fellow competitor, Terry Carmadella, who was in first place at the start of the four-man heat. Proving you can’t keep a good man down, Fignetti worked the average wave to its full potential and earned a record bashing win with his signature style. Congratulations to a Huntington Beach icon and 2013 Surfing Hall of Fame inductee.

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Surfing Museum Gets a Facelift

Making its debut tentatively for mid June, the Huntington Beach International Surf Museum will reveal a newly renovated interior along with improved theater seating, a Huntington Beach Visitors Bureau kiosk and the introduction of an exhibit that celebrates the 20 year anniversary of the Surfing Walk of Fame.

Museum Director Cindy Cross promises to impress surfing aficionados and fans with Walk of Fame artifacts, nostalgic pictures and profiles of its past inductees.

The Surf Museum will also be a sponsor of the After the Open Surfrider benefit and will have tickets available around the time it reopens.

ANDREA HANST is an affiliate of the Surfrider Foundation of Huntington Beach and Seal Beach. Hanst contributes to the HB Independent occasionally on local surf issues.