This is my favorite time of the year as a beach lover because it is time for the US Open of Surfing. I still sometimes forget and call it the OP, which is what many of us called it when it was the Ocean Pacific Surfing Championships. Whatever name you use, it is one of the most exciting times to be in Huntington Beach. We get to watch some truly great surfing, discover talented competitors we may not have heard of yet, and hopefully catch a glimpse of a few surf legends walking along the sand or hanging around the pier.
The 2026 Lexus US Open of Surfing begins Saturday, July 25, and continues through August 2. Admission is free, which makes it one of the best summer events in Southern California. You do not have to be a surfing expert to enjoy it. You can watch a few heats, walk along the beach, explore the festival area, grab something good to eat, and then find a nearby place for a cold beer.
The competition is also the second stop of the 2026 World Surf League Challenger Series. That means these surfers are not only competing for a US Open title. They are earning important points toward qualifying for next season’s Championship Tour, where they could eventually compete against the very best surfers in the world.
My Top Five Men to Watch
#1 Cole Houshmand — USA
Cole Houshmand comes into Huntington Beach with plenty of momentum and will have a lot of Southern California fans cheering him on.
The San Clemente native recently earned a major Challenger Series victory in Ballito, South Africa. His surfing is powerful, exciting, and aggressive, but he also knows how to add progressive moves and aerials when the opportunity is there. Because he grew up surfing Southern California waves, he understands how quickly beach-break conditions can change. Add the energy of the hometown crowd, and Houshmand is my top contender to win the men’s competition.
#2 Ezekiel Lau — Hawaii
As a graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu and a proud Hapa girl, I have to root for the Hawaii local, Ezekiel Lau. Lau brings years of experience competing against some of the best surfers in the world. He understands how to stay calm under pressure, read the ocean, manage the clock, and wait patiently for the wave that can completely change a heat.
There is also something special about watching a Hawaiian surfer compete. Surfing is deeply connected to Hawaiian culture and history, so I will always have a soft spot for the surfers who represent the islands. Huntington Beach can be unpredictable, especially when the waves become inconsistent or the wind begins to change. Lau’s experience and ability to stay composed could give him a major advantage over younger surfers who may try to force things too early. He is definitely one of the surfers I will be cheering for this week.
#3 Jake Marshall — USA
Jake Marshall is another San Clemente surfer who should feel right at home in Huntington Beach.
Marshall is not the kind of surfer who needs to make every wave look dramatic. He is patient, consistent, and usually makes smart decisions during his heats. That can be especially important at Huntington, where the waves may look promising one minute and disappear the next. He knows how to wait for the right opportunity, put together a complete ride, and avoid wasting energy chasing waves that are not going to offer much. His local knowledge and competitive experience make him one of the strongest American contenders.
#4 Weslley Dantas — Brazil
Brazil continues to produce some of the most exciting surfers in the world, and Weslley Dantas is another competitor who deserves plenty of attention. Dantas recently finished runner-up at Ballito, so he arrives in Huntington Beach with confidence and strong competitive momentum. He is powerful on the open face of a wave and capable of completing explosive turns that immediately get the judges’ attention. If the waves become larger and more powerful later in the competition, Dantas could become even more dangerous.
#5 Mateus Herdy — Brazil
Mateus Herdy is one of the surfers to watch when the ocean provides the right sections for aerial maneuvers.
He is creative, fearless, and willing to attempt the kinds of progressive moves that can produce some of the highest scores of the day. That also makes him unpredictable. He may not always take the safest approach, but he is rarely boring. If Huntington offers clean waves with good ramps, Herdy could quickly become one of the most entertaining surfers in the entire competition.
Honorable Mention: #6 Nat Young — USA
Do not overlook Nat Young. Young is an experienced American competitor from Santa Cruz who knows how to work through difficult heats. He may not receive as much attention as some of the younger surfers, but he is smart, consistent, and highly capable of advancing deep into the event.
He is particularly dangerous when the conditions become messy or difficult because he knows how to find scoring opportunities that other surfers may miss. Experience matters at the US Open, and Nat Young has plenty of it.
American Women to Cheer For
The women’s field includes talented surfers from around the world, but there are several American women who should receive plenty of support from the Huntington Beach crowd.
Alyssa Spencer
Alyssa Spencer is a California surfer who has spent much of her life competing in the same types of beach-break conditions she will face in Huntington. She surfs with control, confidence, and a smooth style that can sometimes make difficult maneuvers look easy. Spencer also knows what it feels like to compete with a hometown crowd behind her, and that energy could help carry her through some difficult heats.
Bella Kenworthy
Bella Kenworthy represents the next generation of American women’s surfing.
She is athletic, fearless, and willing to take chances. Her surfing continues to become stronger and more polished with every major competition, making her one of the young surfers who could surprise more established competitors.
The US Open has often introduced fans to future stars, and Kenworthy could be one of the names people remember after this year’s event.
Kirra Pinkerton
Kirra Pinkerton already has years of competitive experience, including a World Junior Championship title.
She is capable of combining strong turns with progressive surfing and has the ability to produce excellent scores when the waves cooperate. Pinkerton also understands the Challenger Series and knows how important every heat can be for the season standings. She should feel comfortable competing in California and will have plenty of local support.
What Happens on Opening Day?
Opening day is when the excitement begins, but it is also when surfers first have to adjust to the conditions and settle into the event. The competition usually begins early in the morning, although surfing schedules always depend on the waves, wind, tides, and ocean conditions. The first rounds give fans an opportunity to see a large number of competitors, including international surfers, experienced professionals, rising American talent, and younger athletes hoping to make a name for themselves.These early heats are worth watching because they can be surprisingly unpredictable. A highly ranked surfer can struggle to find the right waves, while a lesser-known competitor can suddenly post one of the highest scores of the day.
Opening weekend is also a great time to explore the entire event before the largest finals crowds arrive.
What to Expect During the Coming Week As the competition moves into the week, the field will gradually become smaller and the heats will become more intense.
The early rounds are about surviving and advancing. By the middle of the week, the matchups become more difficult because fewer inexperienced competitors remain. Every surfer left in the draw has already proven they can handle the Huntington Beach conditions.
Later rounds usually bring more pressure, better-known names, and bigger crowds gathering near the pier. The final weekend is when the atmosphere reaches another level. Fans arrive early, the beach fills quickly, and every wave can determine who moves forward and who goes home.
Because surfing depends on the ocean, the exact competition schedule can change. It is always a good idea to check the official event schedule before leaving home and again when you arrive.
Beyond the Surfing
The US Open is more than a surfing competition. It feels like an entire beach festival built around surfing, summer, music, action sports, and Southern California culture. Spend some time walking through the event area and checking out the surf brands, merchandise, athlete appearances, demonstrations, and activities happening near the beach. Even if you do not stay for every heat, there is plenty to see.
The Huntington Beach Pier is also one of the best places to take in the atmosphere. You can look down at the competition area, watch the surfers paddle into position, and enjoy a completely different view of the waves.
Of course, one of my favorite parts of any beach adventure is deciding where we are going to eat and what kind of beer will complete the day.
Life of Beer: What to Drink After the Surfing
There is something about spending the day near the ocean that makes a cold beer taste even better.
However, the US Open is usually warm, crowded, and active. You may be walking through sand, standing in the sun, and moving between the beach, pier, restaurants, and festival area. This is probably not the best time to begin with the strongest double IPA on the menu.
Look for beers that are crisp, refreshing, and easy to enjoy with beach food.
Mexican Lager
A Mexican lager is light, clean, and perfect for a warm Southern California afternoon. Add a lime and pair it with fish tacos, shrimp tacos, chips, salsa, or guacamole.
West Coast Pilsner
A West Coast pilsner gives you the refreshing qualities of a traditional pilsner with a little more hop flavor. It is a great choice for someone who likes IPAs but wants something lighter after several hours in the sun.
Hefeweizen
A hefeweizen is slightly fuller and often includes flavors that remind people of citrus, banana, or mild spice. It pairs nicely with grilled fish, chicken, soft pretzels, and lighter beach meals.
Blonde Ale
A blonde ale is approachable, balanced, and easy to drink. It is a safe choice when you want something refreshing without too much bitterness.
Session IPA
A session IPA provides the hop flavor many beer lovers enjoy while generally keeping the alcohol level lower than a traditional or double IPA. It can be a smart option when you want a hoppy beer but still have a long afternoon or evening ahead of you.
What to Look For When Choosing Your Beer
Check the alcohol percentage before ordering, especially if you have been sitting in the sun for several hours. A beer that tastes light may still have a higher alcohol content than expected.
Also look for local Southern California breweries on the menu. Huntington Beach and the surrounding Orange County area offer plenty of great craft beer choices, so the US Open is a perfect opportunity to try something brewed nearby.
Ask what is freshest, what pairs well with your meal, and whether the restaurant or brewery has a seasonal summer release. A crisp lager, citrus-forward wheat beer, blonde ale, or lighter IPA can be the perfect ending to a full day at the beach. As the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Open of Surfing, Pacifico is the perfect beer to enjoy while taking in the action, with its crisp, refreshing Mexican lager style matching the laid-back beach atmosphere.
Drink plenty of water, eat something substantial, and remember that alcohol and a long day in the sun can catch up with you quickly. The goal is to enjoy the entire experience—not miss the best part of the day because you started celebrating too early.
Surfing, Beer and the Perfect Southern California Day
The US Open of Surfing brings together so many things I love: the beach, athletic competition, summer energy, people-watching, good food, and the possibility of ending the day with a cold beer.
You might arrive planning to watch one particular surfer and leave talking about someone you had never heard of before. You may see a surf legend near the pier, watch a young competitor have the best heat of their life, or simply enjoy sitting in the sand while some of the world’s most talented surfers compete just a few feet away.
That is what makes the US Open so much fun. You never know exactly what the waves—or the day—will bring.
So grab your sunscreen, bring plenty of water, arrive early, and make a full beach day out of it. Watch the surfing, explore Huntington Beach, eat something delicious, and finish the adventure with a refreshing local beer.
Cheers to the US Open, the surfers representing Hawaii, Southern California summers, and another great Life of Beer adventure.
