Vans and World Surf League (WSL) have decided to cancel the 2020 US Open of Surfing.
After analyzing the current situation regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, the organization decided the wisest decision was to not the iconic surf competition this year.
The surf, skate, and BMX event attracts athletes from all around the world.
And because of the continued health concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus outbreak, the US Open of Surfing will return in 2021.
The week-long surf contest was first run at Huntington Beach, California, in 1959, and has been held non-stop since the early 1980s.
Between 1982 and 1993, it was named OP Pro. Since 1994, it is known as the US Open of Surfing.
Too Much at Stake
After reviewing the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and the national authorities, event organizers decided that the health and safety of surfers, staff, fans, and the local community could not be compromised.
"The US Open of Surfing is all about bringing people together in a healthy, fun, and interactive environment," explains Jennifer Lau, vice-president of IMG, the owner of the event.
"We can't see a way to run an event of this size and scale without sacrificing the very thing that makes it so special. So, we'll be back next summer."
The US Open of Surfing is one of the largest action sports festivals in the United States.
Every year, the event attracts around 500,000 people to Huntington Beach, Surf City USA, and plays a major role in the local economy.
In 2020, it was supposed to run from August 1-9 and crown male and female champions across three divisions: open, junior, and longboard (Duct Tape Invitational).