Surfing’s longboard culture certainly has a life of its own these days and there are a number of popular gatherings with plenty of grassroots vibe on display around the world. Technically, surfers put on jerseys and ride waves in the pursuit of points in many of these events, which would make them contests by definition. But you’d be silly to watch the grandaddy of them all, the Vans Duct Tape Invitational, and pretend you’re watching a “surf competition.”
This year’s Portugal event, which went down in Ericeira, was no different. Seventeen-year-old Kaniela Stewart won top honors for the men and 24-year-old Chloe Calmon won her second title in the women’s field while she also sits atop the rankings on the WSL Women’s Longboard Tour. Even though this is an ode to classic surf style, clearly it’s a young man’s (and woman’s) game.
