The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony always takes place during the same time as the U.S. Open of Surfing.  However, this year one legendary surfer/shaper from Huntington Beach will be inducted in a couple of weeks from now.

Chris Hawk along with his brothers Sam and Tom have all been fixtures in the HB surf scene for many years.

According to Aaron Pai, Surfers’ Hall of Fame Founder, the unusual timing of the induction is due to Chris’ terminal illness.  “Back in the day he was one of the best surfers in Huntington Beach and he has been a master shaper since the 70’s.  We are super stoked to be able to induct Chris Hawk into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.”

Chris Hawk was recently diagnosed with throat cancer and is undergoing  chemotherapy.  Since then he hasn’t been able to do either of his two favorite things … surf  or shape.

When: Friday, September 18th at 10 a.m.

Where: Surfers’ Hall of Fame, Huntington Beach. (714) 374-2373.  Located in front of Huntington Surf and Sport.

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The 43-year old was a fixture in the lineup for many years and could be found ripping the northside or southside of the HB Pier on any given day.  Kissel was also quite the character and made many friends throughout the years.

If you knew John Kissel and would like to attend his memorial and or paddle-out, it takes place next Wednesday, September 9th.

A service will take place at St. Mary’s by the Sea Catholic Church at 10 a.m.  Following that there’s a paddle-out at the pier and lunch from 12 p.m to 2 p.m at the Aloha Grill.

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If you surf and you want to help out the environment and be a part of history then listen to this.  Rip Curl is putting on an event called Surfboards in the Sand.  It’s a historic photo opportunity to celebrate surf culture and to help raise funds for the Surfrider Foundation and the Orange County Coastkeeper.

Surf legend Peter “PT” Townend is expected to be joined by thousands of surfers with their boards.  The Surfboards in the Sand photograph will be shot by, and published in Transworld Surf Magazine and other international publications.

Anybody can be a part of this historic photo shoot.  Advanced online registration is only $10 per person or $20 on the day of the event.

There will also be live entertainment, free gifts, a free one year subscription to Transworld Surf Magazine and a free event t-shirt if you sign up online before September 10, 2009.

When: Saturday September 19, 2009 at 6:30 a.m

Where: Huntington Beach Pier

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The event is a way for Surfing America - which hosted the afternoon surf contest during the USA championships - to say thanks for supporting the USA Surf Team, which just won gold down in Costa Rica a few weeks ago.

“It’s an industry-wide initiative, and we here for the betterment of the sport,” said Mike Gerard, Executive Director of Surfing America.

Team Fuel TV took home the win for the media segment, beating out Surfline, Surfing and Surfer magazines.

Team O’Neill won the event after a close battle against Billabong. They’ve won the event three times in a row, and had a combine score of 32.23. Waves were coming in consistent, giving surfers a lot of options to choose from.

“We’re all like family,” said Sage Ericson, who brought home a copper medal for the team in Costa Rica. “It’s just a good event for everyone. It makes us feel like a team. We got to cheer each other on, it’s really fun.”

Capo Beach’s Luke Davis scored a 9.25, getting a barrel that helped solidify the win.

“I saw everyone on the beach claiming it,” he said. “I didn’t know how it looked, but when they said the score, I was psyched.”

Here’s some snaps from the day in HB:

CHECK OUT SLIDESHOW OF THE BATTLE OF THE BRANDS.

Read more on surfing:

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The first stop of the NSSA Southwest Conference Explorer Season will bring out several amateur surfers from up and down the California coast.

Divisions include Mens, Juniors, Boys, Menehune, Womens, Girls, Masters, Seniors, Super Seniors and Longboard.  The first event is AA rated so you can be sure there will be plenty of competitors.  For more info. check out .

When: Saturday September 5th and Sunday September 6th, 2009

Where: 9th Street, Huntington Beach

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Keep posted on more about the contest later (O’Neill took home the win), but in the meantime check out these photos I snapped of people who came out to Surf City to beat the heat. And check out Sciencedude’s write up about how smokin’ hot it got out there today.

CHECK OUT A SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES HERE.

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If you are headed to the coast, make sure you use extreme caution, especially Friday. A big hurricane swell sent pounding waves to the coast Thursday, and novice swimmers are being warned to be careful of big waves and rip currents through the weekend.

So if you’re looking to find out what’s going on - to either join the festivities or to avoid the crowds - here’s a glimpse of what’s happening along OC’s coast this weekend:

SIMA Surfing America USA Championships:

A surf contest that showcases some of the best amateur surfers from around the nation is going down in Huntington Beach this week, where competitors are trying to nab the USA championship title.

The 2009 SIMA Surfing America USA Championships presented by Verizon Wireless kicked off Tuesday south of the Huntington Beach pier, and runs through Sunday.

There’s 18 divisions in the contest, everything from young groms to seniors, longboarders and shortboarders.

Read more about the event here, and check out a slideshow of the first day of the contest here.

When: Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Where: Huntington Beach Pier

Battle of the Brands surf contest in HB

Come out to check some surfing athletes from top surf brands battle it out for bragging rights in Huntington Beach on Aug. 29.

Athletes from Billabong, Quiksilver, Rip Curl and O’Neill (and the zany editors from Surfer Mag, Surfing Mag, TransWorld Surf, Surfline and Fuel TV) will be going head-to-head during the 3rd annual PacSun Battle of the Brands.

When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 29

Where: South side of the Huntington Beach Pier.

1-mile swim at Corona Del Mar this weekend

The Don Burns 1-mile scholarship swim is happening down at Corona del Mar on Saturday.

The event is held in honor of Burns, who was a lifeguard for 47 years before he died 16 years ago.

The race - which typically draws hundreds of swimmers - will be held at 10 a.m. at Big Corona Beach. Check in starts at 9:15 a.m. at tower 3, next to the jetty.

Swimmers go out to a buoy 100-yards offshore, then go down coast along the swim lines, past cliff side homes and the rocky coastline to the secluded cove of Little Corona. They then round buoys on their right shoulder, return up coast to the first buoy, and swim to an onshore finish at the starting line.

When: 10 a.m. Saturday

Where: Corona Del Mar State Beach

Catalina Classic paddleboard race

If you can head up the coast a bit, head up to Manhattan Beach to check out the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. There’s plenty of Orange County paddleboarders to support who do the 32-mile race.

The paddler must have completed last years race by the 9 hour cut-off time or competed in another notable paddleboard competition with a solid standing.

When: Sunday August 30, 2009

Where: Manhattan Beach to Catalina Island

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On Thursday, the city of Huntington Beach and So Cal Films are showing a movie at the beach on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier. Bring a chair or blanket, some snacks, and enjoy a flick. This week they are showing Finding Nemo.

Then head up to the downtown area to get tanked.

More info: www.socalfilms.com.

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At 10 a.m. on Sept. 19, organizers are hoping to get thousands of surfers on the sand for a photo op to show their love for surfing and the environment. The purpose of the event – to be held on Sept. 19 – is to raise awareness for the coastal environment, and proceeds will benefit Surfrider Foundation.

The historic Surfboards in the Sand photo will be shot by and published in Transworld SURF Magazine, and other select international publications (and no doubt, the Orange County Register, of course).

The event marks the 50-year anniversary of surfing at the Huntington Beach Pier.

The effort is being pulled together by surfing’s first world champ Peter “PT” Townend, as well as famous female surfer Linda Benson.

To get involved, register online at www.surfboardsinthesand.com by Sept. 10. It costs $10 to be a part of the event, ($20 after Sept. 10) – but remember it’s for a good cause.

The proceeds go to the Surfrider Foundation and Orange County Coastkeeper; a free limited edition “Surfboards In The Sand” T-shirt by Rip Curl (valued at $25 and delivered onsite on event day), a one-year subscription to Transworld SURF, and a bracelet that gives participants discounts at shops and restaurants in the downtown area.

Read more beach events:

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The 2009 SIMA Surfing America USA Championships presented by Verizon Wireless kicked off Tuesday south of the Huntington Beach pier, and runs through Sunday.

There’s 18 divisions in the contest, everything from young groms to seniors, longboarders and shortboarders.

I chatted with Rockin’ Fig Fignetti out on the sand, where he was getting pumped up for his heat in the Legends division. He’s come in second-place for two years in a row.

“For some people, it might be for fun. For me, I’ve always wanted the title,” he said.

The conditions were better than he expected, with 3-to-5-foot waves coming through.

“I’m stoked because it’s a bit more peaky today,” he said. “It’s a good size, the sun is out, and the wind isn’t too bad.”

Read more about the event here, and check out a slideshow of the first day of the contest here.

Read more on surfing:

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