Party On: Day One At The Duct Tape Invitational Sayulita - Stab Mag

Live Now: "Horse" — A surf film by James Kates starring Noa Deane — streaming exclusively on Stab Premium.

259 Views

Party On: Day One At The Duct Tape Invitational Sayulita

Tequila, cervezas, and logs aplenty

style // Apr 21, 2022
Words by Garrett James
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Locked beneath the piercing rays of the Mexican sun, tucked into the cove that is Sayulita, the first event of the Duct Tape Invitational’s 10-Year Anniversary Tour found itself a fitting home. With a soft peeling right that lends itself to logging, and a hard-hitting nightlife scene that lends itself to loggers off duty, Sayulita may very well be the Shangri-la for all things Duct Tape.

But enough with the sensationalizing. 

A moment of elegance as Josie Prendergast puts her signs and seals the end of her ride. Photo: Claire Murphy

After a long night at the kick-off party filled with tequila and cervezas aplenty, the cast of the world’s most creative and respected loggers made their way down to the sand for day one of the DT Invitational. The words, “I’m still feeling last night” could be heard beneath the breath of the cast of loggers as they acquired their singlets and stepped to the water’s edge. Nonetheless, the surfers got into it. With the quarterfinal kick-off (16 men & 16 women surfing in their respective divisions), there was no time to be hungover, only time to perform.

Lots of laughs. Lots of cervezas. Zero complaints. Photo: Claire Murphy

Daily standouts included Andy Nieblas, David Arganda, Kaniela Stewart, Kelis Kaleopa’a, Josie Prendergast, and Hallie Rohr, all of whom stamped their signature flavor of logging on the perfectly soft, peeling waves on tap. Local boy Jonathan Melendres also put on a hell of a show.

Full speed ahead on the infamous paddling contest. Foul play encouraged. Photo: Claire Murphy

As for the no-holds-barred paddling contest, Mahina Akaka and Kaniela Stewart took the titles and the $1k of spending cash. While Mahina made a case for playing clean and winning fair-and-square, Kaniela took another approach and leaned into the no rules format to secure a diving finish. Either way you pour the drink, we’re celebrating. We’ll see you tomorrow for Finals Day of the Duct Tape Invitational Sayulita.

Jonathan Meledrez soul-arching for days… and to secure spot in the next round. Photo: Claire Murphy

As Joel Tudor stated, “This ain’t a fucking nose-riding contest. You’ve gotta do turns. You’ve gotta mix it up.” Or something of that nature.

So who’s gonna take the cake?

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Surfing’s 2025 Q1 Report 

A performance analysis of surfing’s culture, competitions, industry and more.

Apr 2, 2025

What’s Surf City El Salvador Really Like?

Your 2025 El Salvador Pro Preview, live from the cobblestones.

Apr 1, 2025

Watch: Deep Blue ft. Albee Layer, Russell Bierke, Tyler Larronde, Torrey Meister + Wilem Banks

"Wilem’s wave might be the biggest ever successfully paddled into. Aaron Gold’s 2016 El Niño…

Apr 1, 2025

Stab Exclusive: “Hail Mary” — A Balaram Stack Biopic

Featuring a bespoke soundtrack, a Pipe Masters victory, and THAT Teahupo'o session.

Mar 31, 2025

Can This Blue Collar Foamball Authority Nail The ‘Surf City’ Winner Once Again?

The 7 surfers most likely to win the El Salvador CT according to Skip McCulloch.

Mar 31, 2025

Are We Entering the Golden Age of Surf Skits?

McTavish offers a modern gem to sit alongside the greats.

Mar 30, 2025

Empty Set: How Much Do Pro Surfers Actually Know About Their Boards? 

Britt Merrick, Matt Biolos, Jake Paterson and Kanoa Igarashi weigh in.

Mar 29, 2025

How A 40-Year-Old Surf Dad Qualified For The CS Alongside His Daughter… On Twin Fins

"If you're at the party, you might as well dance." - Josh Kerr

Mar 28, 2025

Jordy Smith Wants To Be The First Surfer To Do 20 Years Straight On The CT

And more revelations from DB's new 'Pack Heavy, Chase Light' episode on Jords.

Mar 28, 2025

Joyride: The ‘Groove’ By Rob Machado & Firewire Surfboards

Rob Machado made a high-performance board? We'll be the judge of that.

Mar 28, 2025

Exclusive: Matt Biolos Explains Why He’s Suing Lady Gaga

“We’re not cashing in — we’re keeping something sacred from getting chewed up by stadium…

Mar 26, 2025

International Crime Syndicate Steals Millions From California Surfers, Gets Caught By Local Vigilantes

Victims include: Taro Watanabe, Reef McIntosh, Tyler Gunter, and 'Snapt' creator Logan Dulien.

Mar 26, 2025

How A Surf Filmmaker Helped Expose A Criminal Ring

'Snapt' creator Logan Dulien stars in Anderson Cooper CNN segment.

Mar 26, 2025

Opinion: Pipeline’s Not For The Kids

“I don't want some 14-year-old to die because his dad wanted him to be the…

Mar 26, 2025

Yago Dora On Surfing Without A Sticker, His Unique Father-Son Relationship & The 2025 World Title

Our Stab Interview with the Rip Curl Portugal Pro champ.

Mar 25, 2025

The Most Realistic And Exhaustive Wetsuit Review We’ve Ever Done

Or... how fast can you destroy an entire quiver of fullsuits?

Mar 24, 2025

Yago Dora Out-Airs Italo & Caroline Marks Foils Underdog-Bettor Dreams With Supertubos Win

Portugal "delivers only what it can produce" on Rip Curl Pro Finals Day.

Mar 23, 2025

The Rise, And Fall, And Rise Again Of Italo Ferreira

"There's the person, and then there's the persona" - Italo's coach, Rainos Hayes.

Mar 21, 2025
Advertisement