The Vans 2013 U.S. Open of Surfing wrapped up in Huntington Beach on Sunday, leaving all of us with a bizarre party-like atmosphere (aside from the post Open riots) and a historical first in the winner’s circle. The U.S. Open had it all.
If you wanted romance, you awed at highly-ranked South African surfer, Jordy Smith, proposing to his girlfriend, Lyndall Jarvis, while tandem surfing in the ocean; I can’t believe he was brave enough to hold a ring in the water.
If you wanted to be amused and see some male nudity, you would have enjoyed an overzealous fan who ran across the stage naked while female surfer, Alana Blanchard, was giving an interview.
If you wanted to see thousands of moronic kids with their twitter handles, bench press capablity, phone numbers, “free hugs”, or “spank me” written on their bodies…well, then you would have enjoyed seeing that too.
But the real story is what happened in the water. In a contest that featured heavy favorites and top ranked surfers, like 11-time ASP word champion, Kelly Slater, along with Jordy Smith, Nat Young, Julian Wilson, Adriano De Souza, The Spartan and Josh Kerr… we got a dark horse as the winner.
For the first time in the contest’s history, a competitor from Brazil won the U.S. Open of Surfing. Alejo Muniz (23-years-old) took out local favorite, San Clemente surfer, Kolohe Andino, in the finals by outperforming him in disappointing one-to-two foot surf. Muniz almost missed this opportunity in the round of 16, when he needed a last minute wave to beat Australian, Mitch Crews, who had dominated him the entire heat.
Andino looked to be in charge and a man of destiny. After dispatching defending champ, Julian Wilson and favorite Adriano De Souza, Muniz looked like he was going to be another footnote in the movie-esque local’s journey to the title.
To start off the final heat, Andino, while going down the line, landed an amazing aerial maneuver that had the crowd roaring and the 19-year-old local, pounding his chest. Muniz answered back though; after a series of frontside turns, he followed it up with a 7.80 on a left breaking into the pier, giving him a 16.23 to 14.54 edge. Andino waited helplessly the last two minutes of the heat hoping a wave would form just so he could have another chance. The wave never came.
Accepting defeat in the final 20 seconds, Andino embraced the Brazilian, congratulating him on his victory, riding in to leave the champion to himself. Alone in the water, Muniz looked up, pointing to the sky with the emotions just pouring out of him. After coming to shore and being covered in the Brazilian flag by visiting fans, Muniz was hoisted on the shoulders of fans.
When asked how he was feeling, Muniz said “I’m so happy, I can’t believe it” while trying to gather himself. “Today marks the four-year anniversary of my grandfather’s passing and I’d like to dedicate this win to him. This is the biggest win of my career and it’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever surfed in front of. I knew I had to get scores and the waves were dying a little bit with the high tide and the ocean really cooperated with me today.”
The Brazilian, with a giant check in-hand, will now leave Huntington Beach $100,000 richer all while etching his name in the history of the prestigious event, joining the legends that preceded him. I’m sure that Muniz’s grandfather would be proud.
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter@JoshuaCaudill85 or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports
Photo Credit: Getty
