The US Open of Surfing on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier was a California dream. All four men’s semi-finalists live in California and compete from there: Nola Rapoza from Long Beach, Jake Marshall from Encinitas, Olympic runner-up Kanoa Igarashi from Huntington Beach and Griffin Colapinto from San Clemente.
For the women, two of the semi-finalists are from California, including Courtney Conlogue from Santa Ana and Caitlin Simmers from Oceanside.
Colapinto won the men’s championship but had to fight Igarashi to reach the final. The last time Colapinto competed against Igarashi was in the 2018 US Open of Surfing final, where he lost. This turned out to be the year of Colapinto, with dominating wins over Igarashi and Marshall in the finals.
Simmers, who will turn 16 next month, battled another local, Conlogue, in her semifinals. She eventually won the women’s championship, ousting Gabriela Bryan to become one of the youngest to win.
Jake Marshall stretches and meditates just before he competes in the finals of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Kanoa Igarashi stops to meditate as he steps into the water to compete in the semifinals of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Kanoa Igarashi competes in the quarterfinals of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Griffin Colapinto is greeted by friends from San Clemente after qualifying for the US Open of Surfing finals in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Griffin Colapinto lands a cutback move from the air and gives him a final win at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Griffin Colapinto is carried in the surf after winning the final of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Griffin Colapinto is carried in the surf after winning the final of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Caitlyn Simmers’ father Jessie speaks to her just before she wins the US Open of Surfing finals in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Caity Simmers competes in a run-up to qualify for the finals of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Caitlin Simmers is carried out of the surf after winning the final of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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