Having Fun, Even In a Contest

Having Fun, Even In a Contest

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.

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“How would you describe the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic” is a question I get asked during interviews ahead of each year’s contest. The simple answer is to say that it’s a local surf contest put on by a dedicated group of volunteers. The truth is that the contest is something more than that. It has its own soul. It has a life that we and the organizers before us can’t take credit for. I would like to think we had something to do with it, but the reality is the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic has become something far beyond anything anyone ever imagined.

It's that time of year again, and we're opening registration for our 2025 Youth Surf Camps! Youth surf camps are open to kids ages 10 - 16 with some flexibility, and all levels are welcome!

Both cheers of support and loud laughter were heard throughout Pacific City this past weekend as surfers and spectators gathered on the beach to root on the participants in the annual Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic. This year marks the 25th running of the beloved community event.
Started in 1998 by Bob and Michelle Ledbetter, the contest has grown to become a staple of the NW surf community. It not only attracts surfers throughout Oregon, but this year saw people from Canada, California, Washington and even Hawaii make the pilgrimage.