Photos: 2010 U.S. Open of Surfing

Kelly Slater, a nine-time world champion, in his quarterfinal matchup at the U.S. Open of Surfing.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Spectators crowded the water’s edge at Huntington Beach on the final day of the U.S. Open of Surfing.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Huntington Beach resident Brett Simpson competes in the men’s final at the U.S. Open of Surfing. He defeated top-ranked Jordy Smith of South Africa for the title, his second in a row.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Brett Simpson of Huntington Beach scored 13.97 out of 20 in the final round at the U.S. Open of Surfing, winning the $100,000 first prize.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Brett Simpson competes in the men’s final in the U.S. Open of Surfing.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson catches a wave during the men’s final at the U.S. Open of Surfing.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Supporters cheer for Huntington Beach native Brett Simpson after he defeated Kelly Slater in the men’s semifinals at the U.S. Open of Surfing.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Brett Simpson celebrates his second consecutive U.S. Open of Surfing title in Huntington Beach. Simpson defeated South Africa’s Jordy Smith in the men’s final.  (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Nine-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater does an aerial maneuver to edge out his long-time rival Rob Machado and advance to the next round of the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Thursday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Evan Geiselman launches high off the lip of a wave to take second place in his heat and advance to the next round of the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Thursday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Former U.S. Open of Surfing champion Rob Machado slashes through a wave to finish third in his heat during the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Thursday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nine-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater shows his disappointment after failing to land an aerial maneuver during the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Thursday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

San Clemente resident Kolohe Andino does a spinning aerial maneuver by the Huntington Beach pier to take first place in his heat at the U.S. Open of Surfing on Thursday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nine-time ASP world champion Kelly Slater cuts across the top of a wave to take first place in his heat Wednesday during the U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Fans engulf Kelly Slater after he won his heat Wednesday at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Two-time world champion Mick Fanning of Australia goes airborne during his heat Wednesday in the U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach. Fanning advanced by taking second in the heat.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Shaun Cansdell of Australia goes airborne by the pier during his second-place run in heat three at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Wednesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Orange County surfer Cory Lopez floats over a breaking wave while posting a first-place run in his heat to advance to the next round of the U.S. Open of Surfing on Wednesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Michel Bourez goes airborne to take fourth place in his heat at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Wednesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times))

Australia’s Dean Morrison soars into the air as he finishes first in his heat at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Wednesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Bede Durbidge of Australia slashes through a wave as he goes on to finish first in his heat at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Wednesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Laura Enever of Australia cuts back at the top of a wave during the third round of the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Tuesday. The U.S. Open of Surfing features skateboarding, BMX and live music as well as surfing competitions, which culminate Sunday when the ASP crowns men’s and women’s champions.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Thousands of spectators watch the third round of women’s competition on Tuesday at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Professional surfer Freya Prumm of Australia slashes across the top of a wave in front of a beach lined with fans during the second round of women’s competition at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Tuesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Three-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore of Australia drops off the lip of a wave during the third round of women’s competition Tuesday at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Mende Schlendering of Huntington Beach photographs her daughter, 8-year-old Toby, with her favorite surfer, Bethany Hamilton of Hawaii, as a growd gathers for her autograph and photos on Tuesday after she advanced to the third round of the women’s competition at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Hamilton lost her left arm in 2003 during a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Colby Franz, 10, of Huntington Beach catches air at the Converse Skate Pavilion during a practice session Tuesday before his competition this week at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Courtney Conlogue of Santa Ana floats across a wave during the second round of women’s competition at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach on Tuesday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)