On Finals Day at mainland USA's biggest pro surfing event - the Vans US Open of Surfing -- it seems fitting that Huntington Beach local Kanoa Igarashi's life story exemplifies the American dream. His parents, both keen surfers, packed up Kanoa and his younger brother when they were just tykes and moved from Japan to Huntington Beach. The goal? For their sons to become professional surfers. Kanoa fulfilled that destiny, reaching the elite ranks of the Championship Tour in 2016.
Now in his third Semifinal appearance at the US Open, a win at Huntington pier would bring the whole tale full circle for the Igarashi family, and cap the story like a Hollywood feel-good film. So, will the third-time be a charm for Igarashi? He's got to get past two-time US Open Champion Filipe Toledo in the Semis first.