LOS ANGELES, California (Tuesday, April 28, 2015) – The World Surf League (WSL) is pleased to announce that the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach – an elite women’s Championship Tour event, a men’s QS10000 event and a Pro Junior event – has been confirmed for its 2015 schedule.
The partnership marks a multi-year commitment between WSL and IMG for the Vans US Open of Surfing, ensuring the “Surf City” event is contested by the world’s best surfers for years to come.
“Huntington Beach is home to a tremendous heritage and history in professional surfing and we’re thrilled that IMG and Vans are partnering with us in sustaining that in the long term ,” said Paul Speaker, WSL CEO. “The Vans US Open of Surfing is a fantastic forum to showcase professional surfing in Southern California and we’re eager to see the world’s best back in the water this summer.”
In addition to the Vans US Open of Surfing, IMG have partnered with WSL for multi-year terms on both the Hurley Pro at Trestles, a men’s Championship Tour (CT) in September, and the Australian Open of Surfing, the QS6000 event at Manly Beach in Sydney , in February.
“We’re pleased to continue our partnership with the WSL and Vans on an amazing event that brings the best athletes in the world together to celebrate surfing traditions and the California lifestyle,” said James Leitz, Senior Vice President at IMG. “Additionally, by furthering our partnership with WSL on a variety of surfing events, we ensure surfing fans around the world gain access to the most dynamic experiences possible.”
Carrying on the tradition of major competitive surfing at Huntington Beach since 1959, the Vans US Open of Surfing has evolved into one of the largest action sports festival in the country showcasing some of the world’s best surfing alongside an unparalleled entertainment experience that includes world-class skateboarding, BMX, retail and art exhibitions. Attracting upwards of 700,000 fans throughout the nine-day event, the Vans US Open of Surfing will also be webcast LIVE around the world from July 25 through August 2, 2015 on VansUSOpenofSurfing.com.
“It is an honor for Vans to continue our 50-year legacy in youth culture, supporting surfing, skateboarding and BMX in Huntington Beach with the Vans US Open,” said Doug Palladini, Vans’ VP/GM North America. “Being afforded the opportunity to bring our brand to life for fans in our own backyard is one of the most important things we do, and IMG and WSL are excellent partners in supporting Vans’ efforts.”
The next stop on the 2015 Samsung Galaxy WSL Women’s Championship Tour will be the Rio Pro from May 11 – 22, 2015.
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com and for continued updates and scheduling for the Vans US Open of Surfing visit VansUSOpenofSurfing.com.
WSL Samsung Galaxy Women’s Championship Tour (CT) schedule:
– Roxy Pro Gold Coast: February 28 – March 13, 2015 – won by C. Moore (HAW)
– Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach: April 1 – 12, 2015 – won by C. Moore (HAW)
– Drug Aware Margaret River Pro: April 15 – 26, 2015 – won by C. Conlogue (USA)
– Oi Rio Women’s Pro: May 11 – 22, 2015
– Fiji Women’s Pro: May 31 – June 5, 2015
– Vans US Open of Surfing – July 25 – August 2, 2015
– Trestles Women’s Pro: September 9 – 20, 2015
– Cascais Women’s Pro: September 22 – 28, 2015
– Roxy Pro France: October 6 – 17, 2015
– Maui Women’s Pro: November 22 – December 6, 2015
2015 WSL QS10000 Schedule:
– Oakley Lowers Pro – April 28 – May 2, 2015
– Quiksilver Pro Saquarema – May 5 – 10, 2015
– Ballito Pro – June 29 – July 5, 2015
– Vans US Open of Surfing – July 25 – August 2, 2015
– SATA Airlines Azores Pro – September 22 – 27, 2015
– Cascais Billabong Pro – September 28 – October 4, 2015
– SP 10,000 – November 2 – 9, 2015
– Hawaiian Pro – November 12 – 23, 2015
– Vans World Cup of Surfing – November 24 – December 6, 2015
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
About VANS
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans authentic collections are sold globally in more than 75 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans also owns and operates more than 450 retail locations around the world. The Vans brand promotes the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression through the support of athletes, musicians and artists and through progressive events and platforms such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, Vans Warped Tour®, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, the House of Vans.
