Gloom Not Doom: Scenes From Day One At The Vans Duct Tape

A minor cold front on the East Coast proved too much for our Southern Californian skin.

While we exited JFK airport last night to thick, hot air, this morning, we awoke in Williamsburg to rain and a slight hangover. Yesterday’s low was a few drips warmer than today’s high. And, today at Rockaway Beach, that cool breeze pierced our ill-prepped attire and sent us scrambling for the box of yellow Duct Tape hoodies for additional warmth. 

With DT Overlord, Joel Tudor’s voice echoing down the beach, the general mood of the event maintained it’s whimsicality. The waves were decent, nothing to write home about but enough to keep onlookers pointing to a wedging peak on the inside and mouthing, “there’s a fun one.”

Harrison Roach with one easy step back from reality.

Photography

Zak Bush

As far as literal surfing went, Chad Marshall of the Brothers Marshall wooed the crowd with the wave of the day, to which Joel proclaimed, “That’s because he’s only had four hours of sleep in the past three days. You don’t win heats from training; you win heats by staying out all night in the city and partying.”

The Duct Tape is our kind of contest, while the field of surfers consists of the world’s best loggers from Knost to Burch to Blomfield and beyond; the competition itself isn’t fiercely competitive. Pre-heat warmups would result in a sure-fire rousting, and there’s an award for the best shared wave. The judging is loose to the point that Karina Rozunko won her heat, but felt she didn’t surf as well as the other girls who shared the lineup with her. She told Joel in the judging/commentary booth and pulled herself from the number one slot.

Photography

Zak Bush

Photography

Zak Bush

One of France’s finest exports, Victoria Vergara, took over our Instagram Stories for the day and has been hard at work ever since.

Photography

Sam Moody

By noon, after four-ish hours of competition, they called the comp and it was time for a bite and a beer back in the Duct Tape Garden across the road.

There will be more to come from our time in New York with Vans and their merry band of characters.

For a full gallery from earlier today at Rockaway Beach, tap the right arrow above.

Tosh Tudor thinking hard and keeping the boards safe and most importantly, warm.

Photography

Sam Moody