Marshall nabs first U.S. Open title after tense final in Huntington Beach
The final day of the Lexus U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach ended with a razor-thin finish as Encinitas surfer Jake Marshall overtook hometown favorite Kanoa Igarashi to claim his first-ever U.S. Open championship. The match unfolded in front of large, vocal crowds on the sand as judges weighed last-second waves that ultimately decided the men’s event.
The championship bout came down to urgency and small margins. Both surfers took late rides in an attempt to better the other’s score; Igarashi’s final effort fell short of the number needed, and Marshall was declared the winner. On the beach, the San Diego-area surfer slapped the water in celebration after the announcer confirmed the result.
“I can’t even put it into words, honestly,” Marshall said following his win. “It’s a dream come true.”
The men’s final carried extra local weight: Igarashi, a Huntington Beach native and former U.S. Open champion, was attempting to secure a third title at the Challenger Series event. The men’s semifinal lineup had been heavy with Southern California talent through the weekend, with Marshall, Griffin Colapinto, Hayden Rodgers and Igarashi among the last surfers representing the region in the late rounds.
Women’s final: Sierra Kerr returns from illness to win
On the women’s side, Australian surfer Sierra Kerr, who splits time in Encinitas, took the title over fellow Australian Isla Huppatz. Kerr’s victory was particularly emotional after a recent health battle with Lyme disease that had required hospitalization and left her struggling with pain and fatigue.
“No one saw the tears, pain, just not being able to get out of bed all night,” Kerr said after her win. “Now I’m getting chaired up at the most prestigious events in the world. I can’t believe it.”
Huppatz joined in the celebration on the sand, helping to lift Kerr in a moment that underscored the communal nature of competitive surfing even amid fierce rivalry.
Conditions, crowd and event flow
Wave energy fell on the final day into the 3- to 5-foot range, allowing surfers to showcase aerial maneuvers and above-the-lip turns that made for a visually arresting final day. That contrasted with the midweek conditions, when upward of 10-foot waves forced competitors to use watercraft assistance at times earlier in the event. The variance in surf height shifted the strategy and style of riding from heavy, powered waves to quicker, aerial-focused scoring opportunities.
Crowds on the beach played a role in the atmosphere and intensity of the finals. Spectators moved onto the sand near the waterline to follow the closing rides closely as judges monitored scores that would determine titles and podiums.
- Men’s champion: Jake Marshall (Encinitas)
- Men’s runner-up: Kanoa Igarashi (Huntington Beach)
- Women’s champion: Sierra Kerr (splits time in Encinitas)
- Women’s runner-up: Isla Huppatz (Australia)
| Event | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Final | Jake Marshall | Kanoa Igarashi |
| Women's Final | Sierra Kerr | Isla Huppatz |
For Huntington Beach, the U.S. Open remains one of the biggest annual displays of surf competition and community on the California coast. This year’s event highlighted regional depth — multiple Southern California surfers reached late rounds — and also the unpredictable mix of ocean conditions that can flip a contest’s complexion from heavy, tow-assisted charging to high-flying aerials on the final day.
The outcome will linger locally: Igarashi’s attempt at a third title energizes conversations about his future bids and the city’s connection to elite surfing, while Marshall’s breakout U.S. Open victory cements him as a rising name on the Challenger Series circuit. Meanwhile, Kerr’s comeback marks a resilient return for a competitor who has faced serious health setbacks this year.
As the beach clears and the trophies are packed away, Huntington Beach will return to its daily rhythm — but the memory of last-second waves and a packed shoreline will remain a recent, vivid chapter in the city’s long-running surfing tradition.
