Late-afternoon scenes from the US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach, CA

Jack Freestone’s currently in Huntington for the US Open of Surfing. He’s been surfing small, choppy waves, eating lots of sushi (“It’s more authentic than home. No chicken or stuff like that. It’s proper sushi!”) and shaking his freshly-dyed head of hair to the soundtrack of a different party every night. This morning, the junior world champ logged into Facebook chat. “Well, there was no interference call,” says Jack of his heat yesterday, correcting my unfounded first query. “It was just a mishap with me and Davo. I didn’t interfere with him.” I apologise, blaming my ignorance on the commentators’ misinformation (which is untrue). Huntington looks damn hard and confusing to surf. “Yup, it’s a real hard wave to surf,” says Jack. “But, everyone’s in the same boat. It’s more about the atmosphere – it’s so crazy. It’s so cool sitting out in the water and seeing so many people on the beach. It’s also sorta nerve racking.” I can imagine, I tell him. It looks nuts. Speaking of spectators, y’been chasing babes like the handsome young madman you are? Jack’s not in the most divulgatory mood. Or, maybe, his good upbringing’s resulted in a man who don’t kiss-n-tell. “The amount of girls is crazy! And the majority of them are hot. They basically wear nothing.” Is that the best thing about the US Open of Surfing? “Yup. The vibe. The girls froth and it’s just a sick contest.” But what’s on the cards now, in that crazy place? “I’m headed to the Lost Atlas premiere tonight. It looks like its going to be so, so fun. I went to the Year Zero premiere last night, the movie was sick. The Hobgoods were flaring! Well, so was everyone else.” A coupla hours before we conversed via the beauty of social media, Jack punched through the miniature shorebreak of Huntington to catch a coupla waves post-contest with good pal, Keanu Asing (who Jack’s staying with). Photog Matty O’Brien (also staying with Jack and Keanu) accompanied the boys to fire off a couple. The first shot’s Jack, the second Keanu. “These shots were taken not too long after the final heat of today’s contest,” says Matt.  “There was definitely a few people out there giving it a go. Looks like a disjointed fucking mess out there. I was pretty happy to be sitting on the beach and taking in all the sights.”