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  Vans US Open of Surfing to

Press release:

Huntington Beach, CA (June 29, 2015) – Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, joins the city of Huntington Beach to present the 2015 Vans US Open of Surfing July 25 – August 2. In partnership with the World Surf League (WSL) and event owner and operator IMG, the Vans US Open of Surfing will host the world’s elite in surfing, skateboarding and BMX, bringing premier action sports competition to Surf City this summer. As part of a festival-wide celebration of creative expression, the fan-driven event will also feature artist exhibits and installations, beach activities, interactive sponsor displays and more.

“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.  It’s an honor to carry forward that legacy of creative expression here in 2015,” said Doug Palladini, Vans’ vice president, general manager of North America. “The Vans family, along with partners IMG, WSL and the City of Huntington Beach, is looking forward to our third straight year of providing action sports and summer fun for thousands of fans within this historic surf community.”

The nine-day event is staged at the famed Huntington Beach Pier and is the largest professional surfing competition and action sports festival in the world. Hosting more than 300 world-class athletes in surf, skate and BMX, the event draws more than half a million locals and fans to this iconic location, and over a million views of its live webcast.

“Huntington Beach is the perfect stage to bring the local community together with passionate surf, skate and BMX fans to enjoy all the beach lifestyle and surf heritage have to offer,” said James Leitz, senior vice president, IMG. “We’re proud to be working with Vans and the WSL for the third year to stage such an incredible event.”

The Open marks a key midseason stop on the World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour, and a major stop in the Men’s Qualifying Series. In addition to the exciting drama of the pro surf competition, Vans is pleased to bring back the Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational, an innovative surf series  dedicated to the expressive style and creativity of longboarding. A crowd-favorite, the Van Doren Invitational Skate and BMX contests, will also return, bringing the industry’s leading pro and amateur bowl riders together to compete in the legendary all-cement Vans Pro Bowl, live on the sand. In between competitions, spectators are welcome to experience the Van Doren Village, where families can enjoy movie nights, art exhibitions, athlete and artist autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, interactive photo booths, prize giveaways, and much more.

The 2015 Vans US Open of Surfing will run from July 25 to August 2. All events are free and open to the public. Official sponsors include Vans, Samsung, GoPro, Jeep, FIAT, F45, Pacifico, PB Teen, G-Shock, and Red Bull.

For the live webcast, a full schedule of events and more, please visit: www.vansusopenofsurfing.com.

About the World Surf League

The World Surf League (WSL) organizes the annual tour of professional surf competitions and broadcasts each event live at WorldSurfLeague.com where you can experience the athleticism, drama and adventure of competitive surfing — anywhere and anytime it’s on. The WSL sanctions and operates the following tours: the Junior Tour, Longboard Tour, the Qualifying Series (QS), the Big Wave Tour and the crown jewel of the sport, the WSL Championship Tour (CT) which determines the sport’s undisputed world champions. The organization is headquartered in Santa Monica, California with Commercial Offices in New York. The offices are supported by regional centers in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America and South America.

About Vans

Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vansauthentic collections are sold globally in more than 75 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans also owns and operates more than 450 retail locations around the world. The Vans brand promotes the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression through the support of athletes, musicians and artists and through progressive events and platforms such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, Vans Warped Tour®, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, the House of Vans.

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About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.