THE VANS U.S. OPEN of Surfing starts this weekend in Huntington Beach and continues through July 31 (US Open photo).

You could compare it to the World Series or the Super Bowl, only with water and sunscreen rather than bats and pigskins. It’s the biggest event of its kind, and it’s the Van’s U.S. Open of Surfing, starting on Friday in Huntington Beach, the original “Surf City.”

The event, which will embrace not just surfing but also skateboarding and BMX bike-riding, will run through July 31st at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, next to the city’s downtown.

Many thousands of people are expected to throng the area, especially on the weekends. Shuttles will run from Huntington Beach High School (1905 Main St.) and Edison High School (21400 Magnolia St.) to Main and Orange this weekend, and from the Huntington Beach Civic Center (2000 Main Street) on July 30-31.

The forecast for surf this weekend is for overlapping swells from the southwest, fading a bit during the week. Visitors are invited to bring sunscreen, water, footwear and sunglasses and are cautioned not to bring weapons, alcohol, pets, drugs, beach toys (footballs and Frisbees) or “a bad attitude.”

For more about the event including a complete schedule, go to

http://www.vansusopenofsurfing.com .