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  BMX returns to the Open for

Press release:

Huntington Beach, CA (June 26, 2013) – Vans is excited to announce the return of BMX to the Vans US Open of Surfing. As part of the inaugural Van Doren Invitational bowl jam, Vans kick starts the weekend with top-notch BMX competition on July 26 and 27, against the famed backdrop of the Vans US Open of Surfing. With $30,000 on the line, thirty of the greatest BMX riders will go head to head in the first-ever all cement bowl on the beach, the Vans Pro Bowl, inspired by the original bowl riders’ mecca, the legendary Skatepark du Prado bowl on the beach in Marseilles, France.

The Van Doren Invitational will host the cream of the crop in BMX talent including Vans’ own Scotty Cranmer, Ryan Guettler, and Gary Young, plus seasoned contest specialists Ryan Nyquist, Daniel Dhers and Dennis Enarson. Upping the ante for this year’s contest, competitors will be challenged to prove their skills during their entire jam based on a new scoring format that ranks riders for overall performance. And to turn up the heat even more, competitors will also have the chance to snag cash prizes for Best Line and Best Trick honors. As a tribute to Vans’ storied heritage and dedication to BMX, Vans is thrilled to bring the sport back to the Open as an essential feature of the largest youth culture festival in the country!

“Steve Van Doren and the crew have a had long history in BMX and it will be exciting to see Vans bring it back to Huntington Beach this year,” said Gary Young, Vans BMX team rider, “Vans was the first to support BMX and the Van Doren Invitational will be another great contest for all of us to be a part of!”

The Van Doren Invitational BMX bowl jam is free to the public and runs Friday and Saturday, July 26 & 27 at Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California. Stay tuned to www.vansusopenofsurfing.com for webcast information, contest info, schedules, confirmed athlete lists, rider profiles, photos, videos and more.

The inaugural Van Doren Invitational bowl jam featuring skateboarding and BMX is just one more exciting and action packed event for fans to experience during the Vans US Open of Surfing.  The main surfing event is a pivotal point on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour for both the men’s and women’s events earning valuable points towards seeding. Alongside the ASP World Tour stop, Vans will host the ASP Pro Juniors for men’s and women’s as well as the Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational presented by Pacifico.

For the time in between the surf, skate and BMX action, Vans is proud to introduce the House of Vans, the company’s roving music venue that echoes Vans’ Brooklyn-based cultural hub, to the Vans US Open music stage for an exciting two-night concert series of original and creative music acts. In addition, new to the Open is the Van Doren Village, the ultimate destination for Vans’ cultural festivities including 100 interactive exhibits, autograph signings, DJs, giveaways, movie nights and more!

The 2013 Vans US Open of Surfing, owned and operated by IMG, will run from July 20 to July 28. All events are free and open to the public. Live webcast can be viewed at www.vansusopenofsurfing.com and via the US Open app starting July 22.  Having initially broken viewership records over the past two years, last year’s event garnered momentum bringing the viewership to 1.5MM+, with the expectation to grow even more worldwide this year.

The Vans US Open of Surfing is proudly sponsored by SIMPLE Mobile, Fiat, Paul Mitchell Salon Haircare, Casio G-Shock, Pacifico, Red Bull, iON Cameras, Casio G’zOne, 7-Eleven, and Ride BMX. The Vans US Open of Surfing will air on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00pm EST on NBC as part of the Red Bull Signature Series.

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