A building two-to-four foot south swell greeted competitors today at the Nike US Open of Surfing at the Huntington Beach Pier. Out first in the water was the Men's Elimination Round of 24, which saw some close heats as surfers battled for the remaining spots in the Round of 16.

Local Huntington Beach standout, Timmy Reyes, opened things up against San Clemente's Tanner Gudauskas, as the two went blow for blow on the walled up lefts into the pier. Reyes ended up getting the better of Tanner with a last-minute score of a 7.83 for a series of backhand snaps.

Other standouts from the round were 11-time Champ Kelly Slater (USA), Dane Reynolds (USA) and 2-time US Open Champ Brett Simpson (USA). These surfers along with the winners from yesterday's non-elimination round will face off tomorrow in the Round of 16 for a spot in the Quarterfinals. Competition resumes at 8:00am tomorrow.

Next up was the ASP WCT Women's Quarterfinals, which featured more great surfing. Quarterfinal 1 saw Malia Manuel (HAW) take down local favorite, Courtney Conlogue (USA). Quarterfinal 2 was dominated by Lakey Peterson (USA), who had the heat of the event, scoring a 9.93 and a 9.83 for a series of committed, vertical backside turns. Lakey's combined heat score of 19.76 is the highest of any competitor in any division so far here at the US Open of Surfing.

Following Peterson's dominant performance was Quarterfinal 3, which pitted reigning US Open Champ, Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia against Hawaii's Coco Ho. In the end, it was Fitzgibbons who found the waves she needed to make it through the tough heat, taking down Coco with a total score of 16.60 to 10.80. Quarterfinal 4 then saw Carissa Moore (HAW) take on Paige Hareb (NZL) in tricky afternoon conditions. Moore continued her hot streak and is through to Sunday's Semifinals.

Today's US Open of Surfing action wasn't only out in the water. Back on land, there was plenty happening for all in attendance — free, live music courtesy of Toro Y Moi and TV on the Radio, autograph signings, Nike and Converse brand experience booths and Converse and Nike skate demos. Be sure to come down to the HB Pier where all the fun is set to continue through Sunday, August 5th. And if you can't make it, tune in to usopenofsurfing.com/live.

For complete schedule, more info and all photo and video highlights check out usopenofsurfing.com.