Cole Houshmand from San Clemente California is looking to earn a spot on the WSL Championship Tour with a win at the U.S. Open of Surfing this weekend.
Every summer the crowds of extreme sports fans journey to the Huntington Beach pier to witness greatness in the water and the biggest party on the sand. The U.S. Open of Surfing is a chance for young surfers to make their way to the World Surf League Championship Tour. The Championship Tour is the pinnacle of competitive surfing and while getting there can be a tough road, the path is paved with fun contests such as the U.S. Open.
Huntington Beach otherwise known as "Surf City USA" will be the backdrop for one man's quest for a spot on the 2024 Championship Tour. Cole Houshmand is currently sitting in the number one spot of the Challenger Series rankings. Houshmand earned back-to-back wins in Sydney and Ballito to set him up to achieve his goal in his home state of California. FanSided caught up with Houshmand to chat about the event at home, his quest for a CT spot, and how having his crew of fellow surfers around him has helped him be successful this year.
"It feels amazing (competing near home). I'm very proud to be competing here and I'm just living in San Clemente right now, so it's not too far at all. It feels amazing," he said. "That's my favorite event of the year and I look forward to doing well here every year. So it's super cool and nice to be able to sleep in my own bed… I've dreamed of winning this event and if there's any event, along this whole tour, this would be the one that I could win. Just for it to be here in California, and for me to fly the flag would be amazing. I've been coming to this event since I started surfing and to be able to now be competing at it and going for a win would mean the world to me."
This event is unique because of the fans. Thousands of surf fans flock to the pier in Southern California to enjoy the festivities. In addition to the fierce competition in the water, there is so much to do on the sand. Bands, skate competitions, and even Nitro Circus will be on hand this coming week in Huntington Beach. The waves bring their own form of difficulties and with all that combined, the surf athletes will have their hands full.
"The challenges are the waves, for sure. It's, you never know what you're gonna get with the conditions and it's constantly changing," Houshmand said. "As long as the surfers in this event are some of the best, on tour and from everywhere really, also mixed with it everything, you have added pressure from the crowd and all that people. It all boils down to everything, but it's super exciting."
Cole Houshmand has support from a large group of veteran surfer friends
For decades surfers have been riding waves all around the world. Young surfers have always looked to previous generations to teach them about the water and to give them tips on how to optimally ride the waves. Even now with the advancements in board technology and preparation and recovery improvements, sometimes you just need some help from someone who has been there before. That is exactly what Houshmand gets from his large group of friends. Houshmand travels with the 2% surf crew which includes veterans of the sport such as Olympian Kolohe Andino.
"All the support that we have in San Clemente is amazing with all the 2% crew and everyone else. Griffin Colapinto and Kolohe Andino are some of my best friends and they've had a lot of help in getting me to where I am right now," he said. "I go to them whenever I need help or have questions and they'll kind of break everything down for me. To have that support because they can help me with the mental stuff and anything I'm struggling with. Kolohe is always there for us during the events now that he's traveling with us, so it's been cool to learn from them and kind of pick their brains, and more than anything they're just good friends and family to me."
The Wallex US Open Of Surfing presented by Pacifico kicks off on July 29 and will be going hard until Aug. 6 in Southern California. Fans can tune in to watch Houshmand and all the other surfers take on the tricky conditions around the Huntington Beach Pier live on Worldsurfleauge.com or on WSL on YouTube.