3:1 Women to Men Ratio Takes Over Tofino for Queen of the Peak

Top Photo Kyler Vos – All others Taylor Godber unless marked

Beaches, beers, and babes. Three of the typical “B”s that bring a smile to everyone’s face. Things that typically live in the summer months found themselves in Tofino last weekend for the Queen of the Peak. With a female to male ratio that would bring any guy running, the exact opposite of any snow resort population. If you were a single guy that finds blonde haired, surfer, humble women attractive and missed out on this weekend then, fail. Need I mention that they also charge in the surf?

Conditions that were claimed to be the best in the past 5 years for any surf event, a roster of talented female athletes, and mouthwatering local inspired meals, brews, and dance parties in the evening. As the only standing all womens’ surf contest held in Canada, the 4th Annual Women’s Championships held at Cox Bay, Tofino, gained plenty of notoriety to have us all mark our calendars for next year.

Day 1 kicked-off with the womens open short board category, along with the Princess of the Peak for the girls 16 and under. With a welcoming atmosphere all levels of surfers entered the qualifiers, with the pre-qualified women sitting in the second heat. The swell picked up mid-afternoon producing a platform for the ladies to show their talents.

Day 2 began with blue skies and the ocean was so kind as to produce near perfect conditions. The competitors paddled out for longboard qualifiers and finals, along with short board finals. With waves boasting consistently head high with a solid clean up wave intermittently showing its face. The inarguable progressive level of riding amongst surfers made it a feat to make it to make it to quarterfinals let alone semis and finals in both divisions.

Princess of the Peak finals took place shinning a spotlight on the 10 year old competitor paddling out back to surf the bigger sets. Setting the standard for the up-and-comers.

The final heat for the long board division was without question the closest game. All of the competitors surfed extremely well. All aspects that the judges were looking for; speed, flow, and style were brought to the table. The title was up for grabs for anyone in-terms of surfing ability. It was Leah Oke that took the 1st place podium, taking off on some bombs and holding it all together with style.

The short board crown was passed on to local legend Catherine Bruhwiler. Her ability to read the waves, a skill inherited from years of experience and practice, set her ahead. She picked apart almost every wave that she caught. From the onlooker’s and competitor’s perspective there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that she deserved her 1st place podium finish. A true inspirational presence within Tofino along with her entire family that are huge contributors to the heart of surfing in town and even more profoundly that day to the other ladies charging next to her.

The contest was wrapped up with a delicious event-specific menu from the crew at Shelter Restaurant along with flavorful brews from Tofino Brewing Company, and a mandatory dance party.

Thank you to the following sponsors for coming together to help make this event possible: Billabong, Surf Sister, the Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino Tourism, Nixon, and Shelter Restaurant, Aftanas, Surf Cam, Flo Design, Keep a Breast, Long Beach surf shop, RVCA, and Von Zipper.

Mark your calendars kids. See you next year.

Surf Sister: surfsister.com
Tofino Brewing Company: www.tofinobrewingco.com
Shelter Restaurant: www.shelterrestaurant.com
Billabong: www.billabong.com
The Wickininnish Inn: www.wickinn.com
Nixon: www.nixon.com
Tofino Tourism: www.tourismtofino.com