Vans and IMG sign on for US Open of Surfing

So, five months after Hurley and Nike pulled out of the US Open of Surfing back in September (then announced that Nike would all but completely retract from the sport, shifting all surfers over to Hurley), today Vans and IMG announced that they’ve picked up the event at Huntington. For the next three years, at least, Vans will “engage the surf industry back to its roots, advocating an all-inclusive, world-class surfing competition and cultural festival.” Vans’ VP of Marketing, Doug Palladini, says that the move was an obvious one: “Vans and IMG have been partners for the better part of two decades. Being able to continue this relationship via such an iconic platform, in our own backyard, is simply a perfect fit.” On July 20, Surf City will turn it on for the 20th year running with the surf and skate events, live music and all that other fun stuff. Not to mention the million or so kids burning around drawing on each other, drinking liquor and causing all kinds of mischief. Check out the countdown here.