2011 Quiksilver Rincon Classic Presented by Channel Islands Surfboard EPIC HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.rinconclassic.com/ 2011 Quiksilver Rincon Classic Presented by Channel Islands Surfboards : Third Time Is A Charm
The third weekend in the official waiting period for the 2011 Quiksilver Rincon Classic, Saturday and Sunday January 22 & 23, 2011 had all of the elements fall into place for a truly classic event. With a massive northwest swell on the horizon, along with temperatures of 80 degrees predicted, it was game on with the entire community coming down to support the legend of the Classic at the Queen of the coast. Surfline helped us to make the Classic call with predictions of head high plus surf filling in throughout the weekend.

The level of perfection on Saturday was so amazing that all star performances were put forth in every division from the eleven and under Gremlins, to the 55 and up Legends. One local videographer Ray Allen stated, " You prayed too much, people can' t handle this much perfection!" Those prayers were tested on Sunday morning when just before day break 20 to 40 mile per hour northeast wind swirled out of the canyons simulating the infamous south east wind that accompanies winter storms.

The first heats of the day were trying to say the least as our tent city on the cobblestones was lowered, several taking flight before the hatches were battened down. Meanwhile, in the water, contestants battled a chest high bump that ran up the face in far from idyllic conditions. Special thanks to all the families on the beach that helped lower the tents and to Tom Curren for his innovations of putting cobblestones into a water cooler and burlap sack to hold down the Shore Sheriff tent. The drama of the early morning made contest director Chris Keet smile as the community acted as ship mates to keep the event sailing smoothly and stay on course back to nirvana.

By ten in the morning the wind was light offshore and the perfection had returned much to the joy of spectators and competitors alike. The swell increased throughout the day with overhead lines marching from behind the Indicator all the way to the bottom of the cove. At times not a drop of water was out of place as competitors and free surfers alike were treated to the best weekend of surf the entire season.

The Quiksilver and Roxy wetsuit demos gave everyone on hand the opportunity to try out the best suits on the market, while the board demos by Channel Islands Surfboards, J7 and Rincon Designs featured many a contestant riding a new board in their heats, or enjoying the stellar conditions in the cove. Other highlights included the live commentating by an all star local crew including Chris Keet, Dave Schauber, and local hero Chris Brown. Sunday also featured a live webcast courtesy of Kevin clark and his team from Live From. Stay tuned for highlight reels, and heats on demand by Josh Pomer at rinconclassic.com. Through the support of our event sponsors we also had computerized scoring which truly added to the professionalism of the competition, not only providing spectators with play by play action, but alerting competitors to where they stood in heats, and wave scores. The food provided by Wahoo' s and Mad Dogs, combined with water from the Surf Happens Water Station, Red Bull, and Coffee from Caribbean coffee kept everyone chilled out and well fed over the weekend. Special thanks to Wes Wilson for hosting the competitor area, and Marc and Karen Grandle from ALKI for providing on site massage and chiropractic work.

Following the action on the beach was the SIMA Classic Sunday awards ceremony at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum featuring a tribute to Jeff White, live music by Derek Thomas and Eric and Oriana Iverson, food by Wahoo' s and a the results. Finalists were treated to heaps of prizes, official Quiksilver Rincon Classic belt buckles, and first place winners rode away with recycled bikes from Bici Centro.

For the fourth year we teamed up with Green Project Consultants to manage waste from the weekend along with environmental organizations Surfers Without Borders, and kids from Santa Barbara High School, the Dons Net Café, to spread awareness on problems facing our oceans and simple solloutions.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 2011
• Quiksilver
• Rincon
• Classic
• Presented
• by
• Channel
• Islands
• Surfboard

[ToolsnFire]

relax on the lens, too close up