The Curious Cast Of The Duct Tape Festival, New York, As Shot By Zak Bush

We had a delightful time traversing from Williamsburg to Rockaway Beach for the Vans Duct Tape Fest. And, while we’ve covered the party and after-hours festivities thoroughly, part of our program was to shoot a portrait series of the competitors.

The concept started simple. First, we wanted to print life-size custom board order forms and have the surfers fill out the dimensions of their boards to the best of their ability. Then we thought, maybe a chalkboard would have a better aesthetic and why waste paper, anyway. We reached out to Zak Bush, our go-to lensman for creative studio shoots in the US and he suggested building an elaborate studio on the beach. Of course, the day of shooting/building the structure was met with blue skies, passing clouds, 20mph winds and a collection of sandbags, ropes and people doing their damnedest to keep it erect.

Swipe right above for just about every Duct Tape competitor in the event and scroll down for the handshapes of Karina Rozunko, Andrew B. Allen, Alex Knost, and Pat Schmidt. Plus some Duct Tape heavy hitters like Joel Tudor, Ryan Burch, Victoria Vergara, Honolua Blomfield, Harrison Roach (Men’s Winner), Kirra Seal (Women’s Winner), Justin Quintal, Lola Mignot, Justine Mauvin more below.

Pat Schmidt and his Duct Tape Handshape, lovingly named the Lobster Claw.

Skateboarder Andrew B. Allen and his handshape.

Al Knost and his yellow Duct Tape Log are just drifters in the wind.

Karina Rozunko collaborated with Alex Lopez (son of Jerry) on this one ruddered pintail.

Duct Tape NY champ, Harrison Roach.

The stunning Justine Mauvin had her hair braided in Queens prior to the event and wore them with pride.

The official Vans Duct Tape Overlord, Sir Joel Tudor.

Fresh off a barrel binge in New Jersey, nine-time Duct Tape champ, Justin Quintal, prefers his surfboards with a little meat.

Canada’s Dean Petty and his Bing.

World Champion Longboarder, Miss Honolua Blomfield.

Honolua didn’t have her craft but she also rides Eden Saul’s surfboards, so she shared the black box with Victoria Vergara and her Dead Kooks log.

Ryan Burch is the man at the forefront of alternative surf design – from the Fish to Asymm to Log and beyond.

Duct Tape NY’s Queen, Kirra Seal

Hanna Scott is radiant in Rockaway.

Shaper/Surfer/Teeth Gritter, Troy Elmore.

Everyone’s favorite Vans man, Nolan Hall and a mat full of air.

Tosh Tudor during a rare moment over the weekend when he wasn’t in a wetsuit.

Chad Marshall of the Brothers Marshall.

Mustache, chops, and noseride enthusiast, Andy Nieblas.

Andy, again.

Former Duct Tape champ, Troy Mothershead.

Lola Mignot with her “sexy” Dane Peterson shape.