Spoiler alert: the 2025 US Open of Surfing has way more going on than heats at the beach. Sure, the WSL’s Challenger Series and World Longboard Tour are going down at the Huntington Beach Pier, but the after-hours gatherings deserve just as much attendance.
Not least of which is the global premiere of one of the most anticipated surf films in years: Logan Dulien’s Snapt5. The last film in the franchise is also the longest. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes and an overload of high-octane surfing from Mason Ho, Jack Robinson, Yago Dora, Noa Deane, Harry Bryant, Taro Watanabe, Ian Crane, Benji Brand and many 20 more (not to mention over two dozen groms. Do yourself a favor and buy tickets here to watch the movie on August 2 at Sealegs. Watch the trailer below, then pull out the credit card.
This US Open also marks the fourth installment of Inherent Bummer’s Factory by the Sea, a free two-day event centered on surf films, live podcasts and music and HB’s International Surfing Museum. It’s the brainchild of Travis Ferre, former editor in chief of Surfing Magazine, founder of Inherent Bummer, and one of the keen-eyed and enthusiastic surfers you’ll come across.
The Factory will be on the clock July 31 and August 1. Both days will have live recordings of 805’s Cold Beer Surf Club podcast with Conner Coffin (starts at 4 p.m. daily). Day 1 features a presentation of the premiere of Hawaiian gluefoot Finn McGill’s new film “No Brainer”, and live music by Phony and Guck with a special DJ set by “Country Night”.
Kenny Morris/World Surf League via Getty Images
Every factory needs power, so Ferre and co partnered with Rivian to run the event. The electric car brand is offering free demo drives from July 30 to August 1 (drive times end before the beer is available). You can sign up to test drive the Rivians here.
Day 2 will show a world premiere of “Step Brothers” starring SoCal surfers Nolan Rapoza and Tyler Gunter, then a screening of Jacob Vanderwork’s “Feels Like Yesterday” focusing on San Clemente powerhouse Griffin and Crosby Colapinto, Cole Houshmand demolishing waves in Indonesia and Fiji. Not to be missed: Conner Coffin, Nate Tyler and Kirra Pinkerton 805 parts. Did I mention there’s free beer?
Emma Sharon/World Surf League via Getty Images
Ferre, who grew up in Huntington Beach, sees the Factor as a chance for people to kick back and celebrate surfing, which can get lost in the hustle of the US Open. Whether it’s a cool brand, a new band, or a head-banging surf film, it’s a chance to foster connection in a lifestyle that can so often be individualistic. Ferre knows how to throw a party, too. In 2011, he organized a screening of Kai Neville’s Lost Atlas that shut down an entire street. The Factory by the Sea won’t quite be on that level, but they are bringing in double-decker shipping containers into the museum parking lot so viewers can watch bands and surf films from the second floor.
“It felt like a touchpoint of surf culture, music and films,” Ferre said. “It just intersected together and made sense. Now, I want kids to have that kind of experience where they see a really good band, see a premiere of a movie and hang out in a tight-knit thing that feels authentic. We want to make sure that this birdfeeder of surf culture lives on.”
See below for the full schedule of activities at the US Open. Motocross, athlete signings and DJ sets. Just don’t forget about the surfing.
Related: Snapt5 To Be Final Chapter In Fan-Favorite Film Series