The Vans US Open of Surfing returns to Surf City

Huntington Beach, California, also known as "Surf City," prepares for the world's elite to ride the local waves from July 25 to August 2 when the city will play host to the 2015 Vans US Open of Surfing, a major midseason stop on the World Surf League (WSL) tour.

In addition to the pro surf competition, events will include the Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational, a freestyle longboarding competition.

Although the event centers around surfing, crowd-favorite Van Doren Invitational Skate and BMX contests are coming back to determine which professional and amateur bowl riders will pair together to take on the all-cement Vans Pro Bowl.

What's more, an entire festival of art, beach activities, movie nights, athlete autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, interactive photo booths, music and shopping will take place as the competition gets underway.

It's the biggest pro surfing event and action sports festival in the world, according to the event organizers, hosting over 300 surf, skate and BMX athletes.

"Nearly 50 years ago, Paul Van Doren opened the first Vans store just a few miles from the Vans US Open event site, the same place where he met surf legend Duke Kahanamoku and made him one-of-a-kind Vans to celebrate his unique style," says Doug Palladini, Vans' vice president and general manager for North America.

Live webcasts of the surf, skate and BMX competitions will be accessible from the event website.

More than half a million are expected to attend the massive event, past winners of which in the surfing competition include Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Andy Irons, Brett Simpson, Julian Wilson, Alejo Muniz and Sunny Garcia.