OneBadShredda: US Open of Surfing

Okay folks... I attended the recent US Open of Surfing 2012 version. To be honest, I couldn't be more disappointed with my pictures. Cloudy skies... large crowds... People standing in my way... Dirty lens... ISO blues. I'm totally embarrassed. But no excuses, I took the photos so here they are... I hope my coverage is better than NBC's coverage of the Olympics.

Welcome to Huntington Beach Pier. I once saw the Pier support five firetrucks at once. I figured it would collapse. It did not.

Contest Winner Julian Wilson of Australia

Adriano de Souza throwing spray. Seriously, the Brazilians killed it this year. I'll explain why later.

The Shark at the skate event will not eat you it's just a drawing

Here is a couple of frame grabs of John John Florence on Sportscenter's Top 10 countdown.

Very cool to see a surf move on SportsCenter amid home runs and double plays.

Dane Reynolds was a big bit with the fans

Converse Graffiti Booth

This is Dane just before his heat with Kelly. This was by the far the most watched and most anticipated heat of the day. Standing room only on the beach.

Gabriel Medina takes flight while the exiting Dane admires. This contest was an airshow and that explains why the Brazilians did so well. Medina managed a perfect 10 in this heat if I recall...

Yo Adriano- this is YOUR arena.

Before iPods there were just pods. Seriously, HB is home to a large number of dolphins. I have seen some crazy stuff go down with these guys trying to ride waves.

And this one time at band camp, we were painting...

John John Florence blasting the inside section on his Pyzel.

Okay here is my John John story... Prior to the contest I was out surfing the HB side of the River Jetties. John John paddled out. To see him up close was very cool... But what really impressed me was his attitude. There have been times in the past when I came across pros both in or out of the water and... well let's just say a few times I detected some aloofness towards the common folk. But John John was totally cool, did not drop in on anyone, and was willing to strike up conversation with a number of surfers in the water. He is definitely full of stoke and Aloha. He said he was especially fired up about the recent Fiji session at Cloudbreak.

Kelly Game Face. Note: Thruster set-up.

Wow the pier and a guy's hat in the same frame...

This is by far my favorite picture of the event. I can't tell you who is surfing but I can tell you that only the coolest people wear lavender.

Medina negotiates the pier

Medina riding switch stance no joke. What a quality photo. Sunny skies and sharp, crisp action.

Runner-up Miguel Pupo says his favorite song is 80's classic "Lady in Red." No just kidding he did not say that. He just took down Kelly Slater that's all.

One could always spot Pupo due to his distinctive yellow striped Hurley wetsuit. Here he is killing another left.

Yo Bro you doing some casual FS grinds today? Yep. Cool I'll probably do a few myself. Roger that.

I always knew he'd make it to the big screen some day...

Kelly Slater is feeling blue

Do a Barrell Roll - I mean a floater

Kudos to Kelly - he signed autographs for 20 minutes after his loss to Miguel Pupo. I always respect that kind of stuff. The fans love him. In case you were wondering, "Polygamy Porter" is a dark, medium bodied ale brewed in Utah. I googled it.

Kelly Slater doing what he do. Isn't HB fun? Where else are you forced to connect the inside section for scores?

The puzzle that is Dane Reynolds. I'm not sure I could even describe some of his backside moves. I heard interviews with the other competitors- they all said that Dane was the one they were watching most. Let's hope to see him on more tour events.

You can always spot sponsored surfers by the stickers on their board. This guy is sponsored by Toyota of HB. I believe they also sponsor Courtney Conlogue.