Hurley US Open Surfing

The Hurley US Open of Surfing had announced $100000 first place prize, a global record in surfing, and it was picked up by Brett Simpson of Huntington Beach. The big upset at the tournament was when nine-time ASP world champion Kelly Slater was beaten by Adriano de Souza in the quarterfinals. Simpson got a combined score of 16.93 off his second and third waves, beating 28-year-old Australian Mick Fanning. "He might want to punch me now," Simpson said jokingly of Fanning. "He's such a good competitor, and he took it real good. And I'm sure he's [mad], but at the same time he said he's stoked for me. So I'm stoked." Below Brett Simpson shows off his surfing skills (photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times):



Kai Barger won the Nike 6.0 Pro Junior at the US Open of Surfing, while Malia Manuel claimed the US Open Nike Pro Junior title for women and took second place overall on Saturday. Malia lost out to 16-year old Courtney Conlogue, who won the women's championship in the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. "This is definitely No. 1 for me," Conlogue said. "To have it in my backyard and all my fans cheering for me is really cool."



Conlogue lifted the American flag as she cut across the crowd on someone else's shoulders, a product of her combined score of 17.17, of a possible 20, in two waves. When Manuel lifted her score from 1.00 to 7.17, Conlogue countered with an 8.17. "It's go big or go home," Conlogue said with a chuckle. "When you're in your zone, you're in your zone. You're in that whole competition mode."

Conlogue delivered the most punishing blow, a score of 9.00 in one of her latter waves, to secure her title against Manuel.

Mila Manuel was on her way to being hailed the best surfer in the US. "I'm bummed that didn't happen," Manuel said. "That would have been really great to, you know, get the double going. But I'm happy for Courtney. She's a great athlete and she's a deserving heat winner."