Local hero Brett Simpson takes home the largest prize purse in surfing history. Check the gallery here. Photos: Michael Lallande and Beau Roulette

Simpson defeated 2007 world champ Mick Fanning in a final that saw some exciting exchanges in the beginning but lulled out toward the end as the tide increased. But the lull couldn't come soon enough for Simpson, who took the lead from the opening exchange and never gave it up. His best wave, a big hack with an air reverse on the end section, earned a 9.1. “When you’re riding on the ski in front of the crowd and you hear the applause it definitely pumps you up,” Simpson said. “Every time I was feeling a bit tired, the energy level of the crowd would lift me right up. It’s unbelievable to have all the support and my family and friends here with me. This is the best day of my life.”

After a few years of close calls on the World Qualifying Series, Simpson is now in good position for the coveted Top 45. This is by far his biggest win and the most significant result of his career. "I'm really focused on the points right now," he said. "But for Hurley to step up is just so good for the sport. To be the winner of the biggest prize purse ever is just icing on the cake for me."

The Hurley US Open of Surfing will certainly go down as one of the most -- if not the most -- US Opens of all time. So many memorable moments occurred over the nine-day period, it's impossible to list them all here. But a few that will be added to the "50-year timeline": Kelly's perfect 10 in the Round of 16, CJ Hobgood's impossible escape acts, Kai Barger's dominance in the Nike 6.0 Jr. Pro, 16-year-old Courtney Conlogue's gutsy performance, putting together the highest combined heat score for a female in US Open history and, of course, local boy Brett Simpson collecting the record-breaking 100K check.

As longtime observer and former world champ Peter "PT" Townend says, "The ultimate surf stadium is back, and it's bigger and better than ever before."

For full results from today's action, go to: www.usopenofsurfing.com/LIVE.

[Special thanks to the City of Huntington Beach, the HB lifeguards and police department and all the people who helped make this event the best US Open in history.]

Conlogue also got the good news that her prizemoney was more than doubled, meaning she earned $10,000 for her performance.

Manuel had quite a day herself, winning the Nike 6.0 Jr Pro event coupled with her solid runner-up finish in the womens. With the two US Open finalists being teenagers for the second year in a row (Manuel is 15), there is no doubt that the next generation of female surfers are on the verge of changing the sport.

Speaking of sport-changers, Kelly Slater continued to amaze the masses. In his Round of 16 heat this morning, mere seconds after the starting horn, he scratched into the biggest wave of the day, backdoored a huge section, then came screaming out in front of a 15-foot wall of whitewater. The result? A perfect 10 and a standing ovation from a pumped-up crowd.

Other big results included HB local Brett Simpson, who stuck a huge floater and advanced in the final seconds against Aussie Matt Wilkinson. Simpson also beat Julian Wilson, Dusty Payne and Owen Wright in the Hurley Pro Trials final, meaning he'll join Kai Barger and Rob Machado as the wildcards for the ASP World tour event at Lowers in September. Former world champ CJ Hobgood made an impossible escape on a huge one, netting a 9.7 for his successful exit.

In the Nike 6.0 Junior Pro, Kai Barger, Dillon Perillo, Tonino Benson and Nat Young came through for what will undoubtedly be a mind-blowing final tomorrow.

According to lifeguards and fire officials, today had the biggest US Open attendance on record, with an estimated 125,000 people enjoying all the action on the south side of HB Pier. No doubt those people and more will be on the beach tomorrow, watching to see who will take the $100,000 prize.

Come down to the beach or check it all out here:

Stay tuned for more extensive coverage of the US Open of Surfing on www.hurley.com and www.usopenofsurfing.com.

For up-to-the-minute updates, follow us on Twitter@HurleyLive.

For full results from today's action, go to: www.usopenofsurfing.com/LIVE.

WATCH THE LIVE WEBCAST STARTING TOMORROW AT 8. AM: http://www.hurley.com/usopen/.