The U.S. Open of Surfing "will be scaled back next year in response to the melee that erupted" in Huntington Beach "after the close of this year’s event, resulting in thousands of dollars in property damage and city money spent on cleanup," according to Fletcher & Connelly of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. IMG Senior VP & Action Sports Dir James Leitz, whose company produces the event said, "We’re going to bring a sport focus back to the forefront." IMG's plans show that there will be "no more live concerts, no 'dust bowl,' no carnival elements, reduced vendors and no passing out freebies." Leitz said that the '14 event, which will "celebrate 100 years of surfing in Huntington Beach, will include grandstands for watching the surfing, a skate bowl for professional BMX and skateboarding competitions, a retail area, and a few booths for the event’s major sponsors." IMG also wants to "expand security, cleanup and code enforcement beyond the venue on the beach to include downtown and surrounding neighborhoods." The event is scheduled for July 26-Aug. 3, 2014. Vans North America GM Doug Palladini, whose company sponsors the event, said the brand is "fully aligned" with what IMG's presentation (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 10/12).
