I'm assuming that a lot of you who are reading this know who the World Champion of surfing was last year. But, correct me if I'm wrong, I wouldn't be surprised if not a single one of you know who the ASP longboard champion was. Professional competitive longboarding is in an interesting place, and it doesn't seem all that relevant these days.
Longboarding is more about having fun, and maybe trying to do it with some style at the same time. Joel Tudor gets it, and he's recently started a contest circuit called the Duct Tape Invitational that's more about fun than points, even though points still matter. People still want to surf well and win, but it just doesn't have the same cutthroat vibe that some shortboard or ASP longboard contests can have. These contests have been an amazing thing for the sport and lifestyle.
I can't wait for the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic that's coming up really soon! It doesn't have the exact same format as the Duct Tape Contest, but it does share the same overall vibe of community, inspiration, culture, and good times. I'm looking forward too all of those things mixed with trying to surf well, both in a jersey and out of one.
For some longboard inspiration, check out this little video from one of the Duct Tape contests held in Spain a couple years ago.
