Just thinking about it all still gives me chills.

I’ve gone down to the U.S. Open of Surfing for years and it’s always been entertaining, especially all the madness on the wilder side in the village area.

But this year, you could just tell there was something different in the air: it was all about the surf.

The excitement started to build months prior to the event, as word of Hurley’s involvement and big names started floating around.

Then, Surfline.com caught wind of really big waves – the biggest the contest has seen in perhaps decades – on their way.

During the early days of the contest – when the setting up was still in process and there were still few people on the sand – you could really see just how awesome this year was going to be.

Hurley’s decision to step up as title sponsor of this event was genius. For years, surf companies have avoided the event, not wanting to put up the money it takes to pull it together.

Hurley made the investment, and in my opinion, it paid off. They used the space wisely, putting their latest products on display and posting signage everywhere. Their involvement gave the U.S. Open of Surfing a sense of legitimacy – even respectability – by bringing surf back to the forefront.

You could almost hear all the other surf companies say: Why didn’t we think of that???!!!

Hurley took it up another notch when they said who was showing up: Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Rob Machado, Mick Fanning. How are the up-and-coming surfers going to be able to beat them?

And at stake? A cool $100,000 to the top male surfer.

With that foundation set, this year’s event – which marked 50 years of surfing contests at the pier — all came together as we witnessed one of the most dramatic, jaw-dropping surf events to hit Orange County’s shores.

I had a quick chat with Evan Slater, Hurley’s director of digital communications, about his top three moments of the contest. Here’s what he said:

1. Courtney Conlogue’s quarterfinals: A 9.93 and 9.7 on the biggest day. That was what I believe is the highest combined score in U.S. Open history. She’s a real gutsy surfer. I’ve never seen a female take on waves like that at Huntington. You just saw the level being raised in all the divisions. It was really challenging surf – Courtney said it was the biggest Huntington she’s ever surfed. Check her out here.

2. Kelly Slater’s Perfect 10: That to me, solidified the reason we worked so hard to make sure the world’s best surfers were there. I thought it was kind of a gift back to the fans. It made everyone’s morning to witness something like that. It was amazing to see that Kelly was in the right spot, put himself behind the peak and he basically got barreled on the biggest wave of the day, and came out with 15-feet of whitewater all around him. Check out the video here.

3. Brett Simpson’s win: I’d have to give it up for Brett. The last area local was Richie Collins in 1989, he was from Newport. Brett’s considered a true Huntington Beach local. It was really cool for the city of Huntington, which is celebrating 100 years, and for the 50-year anniversary for surfing at the pier. This will certainly help Brett’s chances for qualification, which we would love to see. See the video here.

Slater’s thoughts are right on. I can’t tell you how proud I am of both Courtney’s and Brett’s win. Voters got it right when they picked both for the 2009 OC Surfers of the Year contest put on by the Register. Through that contest, I learned a lot about these surfers. I’m sure anyone who knows them would agree – the wins couldn’t have happened to nicer people, who have both worked harder than we’ll ever know.

Read the rest of this entry »