10 things I LOVE/HATE about the Rip Curl Pro Tofino

Top photo – Rider: Sepp Bruhwiler

Formerly know as the Rip Curl Stew, the Rip Curl Pro surf contest took place in Tofino, BC this past weekend. Always a good time, despite the normal lack of amazing waves, the Pro is a rare chance for Canada's professional surf community to come out and show their stuff on a world stage. In true form local destroyer Pete Devries took home the big win with his homie and also top local Noah Cohen winning the "Expression Session" (sound emotional!). Yeah boys!! Scroll down to the bottom for the full results and in the meantime enjoy some amazing photos from the event and some wicked ranting from a local who knows what the fuck he is talking about.

Pete Devries on his way to the win

5 things I HATE about the Rip Curl Pro Tofino:

1. Bad Timing
The best swells roll into Tofino during late fall and the winter season. Yet the biggest surf contest of the year is hosted in June? Summer is the worst 3 months of waves we have all year! Small and mushy with onshore winds (most of the time). If the waves were a person, they would be the drunk chick at a party.

2. Aqua Jocks
Thank god Tap Out or Affliction don't make wetsuits, because these guys would buy them out before you could say 'Bro'. There's nothing wrong with tourists (though some can be REALLY annoying) but these guys are the worst. I don't care who you work for, don't high five with your suit half-off after shotgunning a beer that you've left of the beach.

3. The Name Game
The Rip Curl Pro, use to be called The Rip Curl Stew. "Stew" being an inside joke on how the waves are unpredictable and messy this time of year. I guess Rip Curl wanted to make the contest seem a bit more professional, by giving it the same name as every other one of their surf contests. So much for the whole grass-roots thing…

4. The Rich Get Richer
The big companies who sponsor this event spend over $20,000 just to put up everyone in the same lodging for the weekend. Everyone loves a free trip, but why not branch out and use some of that money throughout the entire community and not one single resort? Just think about how many surf contests they could put on at North Chesterman's during the winter with that money.

5. Less Surfing, More Partying
The finals for the Men's Pro Championships were Sunday afternoon, but a good chunk of people left Sunday morning to avoid traffic. Seems like the people who come for the contest, really don't give care about it. "TheProWasSICKGotFuckinWastedDidCokeOffSomeChicksTitsOnlySlept2HoursRAWWRRR!!!!"
Right on, can you tell me who won though?

Noah Cohen

5 things I LOVE about the Rip Curl Pro Tofino

1. Girls
Enough Said.

2. Local Bro's
A professional surf contest that allows local amateurs to compete against the best. Some say it would be cool if there was an Amateur's category in the future. But it's nice to see we're not grouped according to skill level, we're all just surfers… Man.

3. The Beach Scene
Bikinis, music, beer gardens, BBQ, beach-games, surfing, skim boarding, frisbee, drinking, friends, and much more. It's not a bad place to spend the day, especially if the sun is out. Back in the day, they use to have a mini-ramp on the beach! Maybe next year? (Hint-Hint).

4. Good Enough Reason
The alcoholism in this town is pretty popular with the young folks these days, so any excuse to drink is usually a good one.

5. Free Shwag
Be friendly and talkative with the guys at the rep tents, if you play your cards right you could walk away with a new wardrobe… Or at least some stickers.

Devries

Check out Marcus' website and blog for more wicked photos!

Pro Men’s

1st – Peter Devries

2nd – Sepp Bruhwiler

3rd – Noah Cohen

4th – Ben Murphy

Pro Women’s

1st – Sarah Taylor

2nd – Cath Bruhwiler

3rd – Hannah Scott

4th – Leah Oke

Men’s Longboard

1st – Ollie Atkey

2nd – Reid Jackson

3rd – Robbie Ferguson

4th – Leo Dasilva

Women’s Longboard

1st – Emily Ballard

2nd – Hannah Scott

3rd – Sherrie Houghton

4th – Leah Oke

1st – Raph Bruhwiler

2nd – Greg Urata

3rd – Jens Kalwa

4th – Cath Bruhwiler

1st – Dylan Lee

2nd – Kalum Bruhwiler

3rd – Freddy Sanford

4th – Jesse Clarkson

1st – Keanna Hasz

2nd – Chloe Platenius

3rd – Sofia Bruhwiler

4th – A. Venizelos-Warren

1st – Freddy Sanford

2nd – Reid Platenius

3rd – Conner Alexander

4th – Aiden Sutherland

Sanuk Wave of the Day (Day 1) – Shannon Brown

Sanuk Wave of the Day (Day 2) – Sarah Taylor

Winner of the Monster Energy Expression Session – Noah Cohen