A US Open of Surfing buildout report
This is what they refer to as the home stretch. Next Saturday, at 7am, the world’s largest single-venue festival blending action sports and youth culture will open its doors to the public.
But even though opening day is still eight days out, tent city has already blossomed. Walk down the site’s main drag (ironically called Main Street), flanked by three-story structures on either side, and the feel is very city-ish. Strange, when you consider you’re on the beach. Dominating the venue is the colossal 6,600 square-foot, three-pronged Retail and Brand Experience structure.
The view of the Nike 6.0/Converse (left) and Hurley Brand Experience after walking through the rear doors of the Retail Tent.
The Retail Tent is massive, dwarfing its previous versions, and serves as the main entrance to the venue. Situated directly behind the Retail Tent are the Hurley and Nike 6.0/Converse Brand Experience – Nike and Converse is a split space to the left, and Hurley to the right. Among the bells and whistles Hurley’s Chris Bradley was working on Friday were a boardshort chandelier (don’t ask us to explain, just know it’s even cooler than it sounds) and all 18 50-inch LCD TVs.
The Converse Coastal Carnage bowl.
The US Open of Surfing Surf Stadium, with two grandstands and three towers, is 95% complete. At the far end of the venue, the Converse Coastal Carnage bowl is near rideable, and will definitely be in full working order by the 31st, while the interactive bowl is still in pieces. The Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro and US Open Music Stage portions of the venue, which will also host the Walk The Walk national finals, were just beginning to be built out on Friday.
The view of the surf stadium -- two grandstands bookend three towers designated for athletes, VIPs and media.
By all accounts and measures, looks like everything will be dusted and dialed when the first fans hit the beach, bright and early next Saturday morning.
In the meantime, check some more videos in our backstage section here.
