2008 U.S. Open of Surfing men’s final

Nathaniel Curran of Oxnard makes a vertical turn off the whitewater during his victory in the U.S. Open of Surfing finals against France’s Tim Boal on Sunday in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Nathaniel Curran of Oxnard is carried out of the surf after defeating Tim Boal of France for the U.S. Open of Surfing championship.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Chris Waring of Seal Beach cuts into a wave as he prepares to shoot through the barnacle-line pier pilings Sunday during the round of 16 at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Brett Simpson of Huntington Beach prepares to do a reverse tail side during his round of 16 victory over Cory Lopez of Laguna Niguel on Sunday in the U.S. Open of Surfing. Simpson would make the semifinals, where he lost to Tim Boal of France.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Taylor Jensen of Oceanside does an aerial maneuver to win first place in the longboard finals of the U.S. Open of Surfing on Sunday in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Laurie Currier of Wrightwood grinds down the rail during the snowboard jam as part of the festivities Sunday at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Marcelo Bastos of Brazil performs a trick during the legends skate jam as part of the festivities during the U.S. Open of Surfing on Sunday in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A motocross freestyle rider takes flight during the FMX demonstration at the U.S. Open of Surfing on Sunday in Huntington Beach.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Skydivers descend upon Huntington Beach during the U.S. Open of Surfing festivities Sunday.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)