Vissla’s Cosmic Creek Retro Shred Festival Is This Weekend

For the 20th year going, this weekend Salt Creek will be inundated with single and twin fins, vintage bonzers, stingers, swallows, and stubbies (“more than 50 original single and twin fin sleds from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s”) for Vissla’s Cosmic Creek Retro Shred Fest.

According to Vissla, “the event will feature four divisions including Locals, Creators & Innovators, Pros, and new to this year is a Body Surf Expression Session brought to you by DaFiN. 

“Surfers “draw cards” prior to their heat for priority on board selection. It truly comes down to the luck of the draw as to which board you will surf in your heat as Vissla will supply original 70’s and 80’s Single and Twin fin options for competitors to choose from.”

Equal parts lighthearted luddite competition and loose and lively surf festival, on top of a full weekend of competition and the chance to fondle some antiquated but often surprisingly functional, equipment, the once-high performance relics from several bygone eras, there will be performances Saturday evening from Quebecois pop quintet TOPS, as well as Seattle psych rock outfit, Night Beats (listen to both below). 

D’Blanc will host the free concert Saturday night at the Salt Creek Bluff Park Stage (just above the contest site), with Night Beats and TOPS, while Seacliff, The Alive and Hypnosis will be play the Beach Stage during the day Saturday and Sunday.

Music gets started at 6PM.

“2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the Cosmic Creek,” says Vissla’s Eric Mehlberg. “Always known as a community event, it was great to have world renowned artist Thomas Campbell of Dana Point create the artwork and design concepts around the event site. Also, incredible to see a modern event site with NO EZ-UP’s, wrapped/branded vehicles, plastic-free, shaping bay & live music on the sand. There is truly nothing quite like it. 

“The boards are the greatest equalizer of the event and what makes it so fun for all competitors of all skill levels. The best surfer may have the worst board and really even the playing field. Sometimes you pick a board that looks amazing then you stand up on it and realize its a total dog and you still have to ride it for your 20 min heat! 

“All of the boards are owned and warehoused by Vissla. Over the years the quiver has changed with additions from Eric Diamond, Bobby Lockhart, and Craigslist finds by Eric Mehlberg. [Vissla founder and longtime Surf Industry head] Paul Naude is the true historian and collector of the Cosmic quiver and knows the history of each and every board.” 

If you’re in Southern California this weekend, we can think of worse ways to spend a weekend afternoon than at Salt Creek for the annual freak show—we’ll see you there.