CRITICAL MASS Cream Of Surfing’s Underground Crop Flocks To Montauk To Give Competitive
Longboarding A Fresh Push By Nick McGregor; Photos by Tom Dugan
The first of many Montauk maxims I heard upon arriving at
Long Island’s East End was “never trust a weather or surf report.” How right
longtime kingpin Tony Caramonico was — Thursday’s flat forecast gave way
to fun little peelers in the afternoon, allowing the second stop of the Vans
Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational to get underway. And although Friday’s waves
and weather were supposed to be a howling, out-of-control mess, the morning’s
strong sideshore wind only blew the tops off of the impossibly long three- to
four-foot Ditch Plains lines, adding dramatic effect to the dreamy stacks of
rain clouds streaking across the sky as the bad weather moved north.
The contest wrapped up Friday morning, with Australian
Harrison Roach, Southern Californian Tyler Warren, and East Coasters Mikey
DeTemple and Justin Quintal duking it out in an exciting 30-minute final. But
since the winners weren't announced until Friday night, we’ll leave the contest
reportage for Monday. Instead, what follows are snippets of action imparting
the significance of this massive undertaking by Vans.
Sixteen of the world’s most progressive longboarders —
everyone from 62-year-old legend Herbie Fletcher to free-thinking savant Alex
Knost — swapping waves and high-fives in the lineup and beers and good
vibes on land. Acclaimed filmmaker Thomas Campbell flying in specifically for
the contest, and spotted happily spinning tunes and tearing up the dance floor
at The Surf Lodge last night. And of course, Joel Tudor spreading his gospel
of allegiance to surfing’s nine-foot-plus roots.
Most importantly, the entire town of Montauk, less than a
month away from pretty much shutting down for the winter, is jazzed about the
event. And after talking to a few of the invited surfers, saying they’re
overjoyed at what Vans is doing would be a massive understatement. “Even if the
waves are crap, these kids are all surfing well and having fun doing it,” Joel
Tudor said.
THE OLD IN-OUT
The 2009 WRV Outer Banks Pro Presented By Hurley Is Moving Ahead Like Clockwork
Along The Graveyard Of The Atlantic... Let's Hope Hurricane Season Doesn’t Dish
Out A Bit Of The Old Ultraviolence
BILL OF SALE Surf Expo Comes To Town Early With Lower-Than-Usual
Attendance Rumors And Category 4 Hurricane Bill Zooming In. Will You Blow Town To
Bro Down Or Sit Tight And Get Right?
