The surf gods and the organizers of the Quiksilver Rincon Classic have big smiles on their faces.
The venerable surfing competition is expected to be blessed with head-high waves, nice weather and some big-name locals this weekend at Rincon Point.
“Our official surf forecasters over at Surfline have been spot-on with their predictions and have helped us to make the green light decision for this weekend,” contest director Chris Keet said. “With head high plus waves, warm weather, and nice conditions predicted, it is sure to be one for the record books.”
The action begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday.
The Rincon Classic traditionally draws the best surfers in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. This year’s edition is no exception. Among the entries is 16-year-old sensation Lakey Peterson, a two-time NSSA national champion and one of the top junior surfers in the world.
The two-week waiting period from the original date of the contest enabled Peterson to participate in the famed local event. Peterson just returned from the ASP Junior Worlds in Australia, where she advanced to the quarterfinals. Before that she was surfing in Brazil and Bali.
Other big names slated to compete include three-time world champion Tom Curren, big-wave surfer and former WCT icon Chris Brown, legend Shaun Tomson, WQS standout Yadin Nichol, six-time Rincon Classic Pro champion Kilian Garland and six-time women’s champ Demi Boelsterli.
“The best surfers in the county will be gathering to celebrate the spirit of Aloha within our community while competing for pride, divisional titles, and heaps of prizes,” Keet said.
He noted this year’s Classic will pay tribute to local legend Jeff White, who passed away last month. White started the Rincon Classic 40 years ago. He founded White Owl Surfboards, the Surf-N-Wear chain of surf shops, and he cofounded the Beach House with Roger Nance.
A tribute video on White will be premiered at the awards ceremony on Sunday at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
The Rincon Classic features surfers from the pro-am level to gremlins age 11 and under to the legends 55 and up. Specialty divisions include the Professional division and the Gunshow, a 35-minute free surf, featuring the best professional surfers in the 805.
Also on tap for the weekend are Quiksilver wetsuit demos, surfboard demos by Channel Islands Surfboards, J7 and Rincon Designs, and environmental booths.
Keet has made the Rincon Classic high tech. At rinconclassic.com, you can watch daily highlight packages, heats on demand for day two, and time lapse web cast for all finals. The time lapse webcast will include commentary, scores (courtesy of Beach Byte), special guests, on-beach interviews, highlight video clips, and 15-30 second sponsor advertisements.
For a full list of sponsors, schedule of events and more info click on the following link: rinconclassic.com
