U.S. Open of Surfing begins action-filled days Saturday

"This [U.S. Open] has become a 'must-do' event for a lot of the top surfers," Leitz said. "The contest kind of fell off a bit, what with guys touring all over the world. But now, with 30 of the top competitors set to enter this year's contest, Huntington Beach has re-established itself as the place to be.

"For the women, the [World Championship Tour] likely will be crowning a world champion here in Huntington. The lineup for the Juniors is 'sick,' as they say, and the Pacifico Longboard competition also is stacked. The competition will be amazing."

The U.S. Open of Surfing sports action package includes several skating events. The Converse Coastal Carnage, a pro/am skateboarding competition set to begin its fourth year, is expected to draw approximately 40 of the top skateboarders from around the world.

Top riders from the U.S., Brazil, China and Thailand will contend. The competition runs Aug. 3-5. Tom Remillard of San Diego won the Coastal Carnage title last year and is back to defend his title.

The Converse Skate Pavilion, a mini-bowl course setup, also returns this year. New to the lineup is the premiere of Damn Am HB, a street skateboarding contest presented by Nike Skateboarding and featuring some of the top amateur skaters worldwide. The Damn Am HB qualifiers are Aug. 3-4, and the finals are Aug. 4.

The concert stage kicks into action Wednesday. Musical acts also will perform Aug. 2-3.

Leitz said that one key component to this year's U.S. Open of Surfing is about "expanding the interactive experience" for fans. That interactive jewel, and new to the site, is a 20- by 100-foot JumboTron that Leitz said will hang from the backside of the Surf Stadium stands. The board, he said, will display "live action sports images, programmed messages and social media applications."

All U.S. Open of Surfing events are free and open to the public. They can be seen at http://www.usopenofsurfing.com. The U.S. Open of Surfing will air on NBC on Sept. 15.

michael.sciacca@latimes.com

Twitter: @MikeSciacca