DEEP2012 Jan Feb Ch4 p27_32 RC FINAL.indd

PRESENTED BY
Demi Boelsterli slashing at the Rincon Classic.
PHOTO: DUBOCK.COM
RINCON
CLASSIC
GUIDE
Adam Lambert.
PHOTO: TOVER
Tarik Khashoggi.
PHOTO: TOVER
Andrew Bennett.
PHOTO: TOVER
Unknown surfer.
PHOTO: DUBOCK.COM
Welcome to the 2012 Rincon Classic
Stars shining brightly in the pre-dawn sky, the sounds of crashing
waves detonating in the dark, the cool morning tradewinds blowing
offshore through the rivermouth into the empty lineup, coffee being
swigged while the final preparations are made for yet another Rincon
Classic to begin.
Twelve years, a dozen collections of 365 days gone by, lifetimes
lived. Somehow, the excitement and emotions of this incredible
journey, the sights, sounds, and nostalgia, are nearly the same, even
as the times of life change.
My dawn patrols now commonly begin between 3:30 and 4:30
a.m. with the rousing cries of my six-month-old son, Maddox James.
After an hour we take a walk to check the waves and watch the sun
rise. Meanwhile, men and women in their early- to mid-20s, who
were children when I began running the Rincon Classic are finding
their way in the world.
The generation that I grew up with are now the adults. It is so exciting to see where everyone heads on their life’s path and the Classic brings us all together to catch up every year. Where else can you
watch your pastor (Britt Merrick), take the top off of a beautiful set
wave? What other lineups feature world champions, WQS standouts
and future title contenders, all of whom you know personally?
Not many, but for all those that participate in this event and surf
Rincon on every swell, this is where we are raised and the place we
call home.
Welcome to the 2012 Quiksilver Rincon Classic presented by
Channel Islands Surfboards. The 29th annual event’s first waiting
weekend is right around the corner on January 21 and 22.
The vision of Surf Happens is to bring a world class surfing
competition to California’s premier point break while preserving
the original ideals of the Rincon Classic as a locals only, communitybased event. Through community and sponsorship support, we have
built the Rincon Classic from the roots up, now featuring computerized scoring, live commentating, ASP judges, an all star local water
patrol, a professional division, an expression session, and more.
In addition, contestants are treated to free food and drinks, massage and chiropractic care as well as a professional trainer and warm
up area. By combining these details with a six-week waiting period
and a crew of world class surfers who call our area home, we aim to
bring the 29th annual 2012 Quiksilver Rincon Classic to new heights.
Through contest proceeds we are raising funds for the Surf Happens Foundation and First Descents, our charitable partners, in an
effort to share the healing powers of the ocean with youth and young
adult cancer survivors. Camp Healing Wave is our joint endeavor
with partners The Teddy Bear Foundation and Hugs For Cubs to
host free week-long surf camps for local children afflicted by cancer
in the summer of 2012.
Chris Keet
Rincon Classic Organizer
28
DEEP SURF MAGAZINE July/August 2011
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
s Quiksilver & Roxy Wetsuit Demos
s Local Surfboard Demos. Al Merrick/Channel Islands Surfboards, Jason Feist/J7
Surfboards, and Matt Moore/Rincon Designs.
s Arbor Skateboard Demos
s Organic trophies: All finalists will receive 2012 Quiksilver Rincon Classic belt buckle
trophies, with first place finishers taking home customized Full Circle Drums.
s Time Lapse Web Cast & Event Highlights: We have teamed up with Josh Pomer and
Post Modern Surfer to create daily highlight packages, and heats on demand for all
finals. Log on to rinconclassic.com to catch all the action.
s Santa Barbara Surfer is documenting the event and shooting every heat for your
viewing pleasure. Online at www.santabarbarasurfer.com.
s Competitors Area: Alki Wellness center will provide on site chiropractic and
massage care. Indo Boards for warming up, stretching matts, bean bags and water.
s Live Commentating & Computerized Scores
s Independent: Classic Lines. The Independent to dig up historical trivia from years
past and share Classic Lines with the beach.
s Expression Session
s Red Bull Airshow
s The Professional Division
s Online Raffle & Event Raffle. Win custom Channel Islands Surfboards, Quiksilver
Wetsuits and apparel, Arbor Skateboards, Indo Boards, Red Bull, Teva Shoes, and
much more. For more information log on to rinconclassic.com.
BE GREEN TO THE QUEEN
Our goal is to perserve and protect the beauty of Rincon Point for current and future generations to enjoy. The
mission is to leave her cleaner than we found her, and properly manage the waste that is created through the
event. Through your support, and that of our waste management team from Green Project Consultants, we have
been able to divert over 90% of all waste from area landfills over the past five years.
The mission is to REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE. All contestants receive an organic re-usable bag courtesy of
Surf Happens, and fresh cool water will be served from large iced up containers at the Water Station all weekend.
In an effort to spread awareness, we have partnered with area non-profits to help educate the public on
simple solutions to pollution, and ways to get involved in grassroots activism. Look for Green Booths from the
Surf Happens Foundation, Surfers Without Borders, Surfrider, and The Quiksilver Foundation, and participate
in our daily beach clean ups and get your green on!
GREEN TIPS
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Bring your re-usable mug for coffee and drink tin for water
Dispose of waste and recyclables in proper containers
Carpool to the contest
Participate in our daily beach clean ups to keep RC12 pristine.
Saturday at noon, Sunday noon and 3 p.m.
Ride your bike to the contest
Use designated restrooms
Stay off of the natural foliage
Keep dogs on leashes, and clean up after your pet
Defending Pro Division Champ
PHOTO: DUBOCK.COM
Mike McCabe
"Y4ERRY(OUSTON%VAN-ENDELSON
Rincon is special. Surfers from far and wide make the
trip each winter to pay homage to the Queen of the
Coast in a ritual that mimics a Muslim’s pilgrimage to
Mecca—the crowds are similar too. That’s why the
Rincon Classic is really special.
Last year’s Pro division winner Mike McCabe has
an intimate understanding of just how true this is.
Growing up just down the coast in Ventura’s Pierpont,
McCabe is on it nearly every day it breaks.
“It’s one of the best waves in the world … you
never get to surf it with only four guys out.” The rare
opportunity to share the Queen’s benevolence with so
few people places the Rincon Classic among the most
prestigious of California surf contests.
This will be McCabe’s fourth year competing at the
Rincon Classic, and he knows it won’t be easy to repeat
as champion. “I think the competition is great …
everyone is ripping and dropping high scores. It makes
it a really exciting event to surf in.”
A glass half-filled type of guy, he added, “I’m going
to try my best and hopefully it goes my way. But if not, it
was fun to just surf the Con with three other guys out.”
He isn’t the only McCabe who rips. “Growing up,
competing and surfing with my brother has probably
affected my surfing more than anything. Matt and I are
really competitive against each other, but we both want
to see each other succeed in everything that we do. If
I lose early in a competition I always want him to win,
and if he loses he always wants me to win. We both surf
completely differently so we can give each other advice
on our weak points.”
Ventura is a tight knit surfing community that has
bred a lot of talent throughout the years. “Growing up
in Ventura has influenced me as a surfer immensely,”
he says. “There are many talented surfers from this
area who help push me to be a better surfer. We have
a tight crew of friends that we travel to comps, surf,
shoot, and hang out with on a daily basis. We all
grew up in the same neighborhood and have known
each other for basically our whole lives, and we have
a variety of different waves in Ventura, from beach
breaks to point breaks and even some reef breaks.”
Since last year’s Rincon Classic victory, McCabe has
stayed busy with various surf pursuits. He has been
Q&A
DEEP writers asked one of
Rincon’s longest tenured locals and of its youngest
groms five Rincon Classic questions.
Don Cambpell
Story & Photo by Glenn Dubock
Don Campbell has been surfing Rincon for over 40
years and has been a regular finalist in the Grandmasters and Legends divisions the last few years. I caught up
with Campbell not far from Rincon, just up the road in Carpinteria where he runs a landscaping business.
DEEP: What do you think your chances of repeating are?
Donn Campbell: Not too good for Grandmasters; too many really good surfers in that division now. But just
like my current Legends division—I am 59 so I qualify I guess—it really depends on catching the best waves in
your heat and that sometimes is just luck.
DEEP: What is the coolest thing about surfing the Rincon Classic?
DC: The sense of community and seeing everybody celebrate and appreciate how special Rincon is. Everyone in
the contest wants to win, but everyone is stoked for whoever does win.
DEEP: How many Classics have you surfed in?
DC: I was in the Classics in the ’80’s when Surf ‘n’ Wear ran them and then again when Chris (Keet) started
them again. I have missed a few so I don’t really know. Twelve or more?
competing in surf contests up and down the California
coast and did a summertime trip down to Mexico
where he scored some great surf.
“If I could travel anywhere in the world it would
probably be Barra. The first time I saw footage of it, it
reminded me of a hollower version of Rincon with the
added bonus of warm water.”
Right now, McCabe is fine-tuning his equipment
and working closely with Robert Weiner of Roberts
Surfboards to get his boards dialed for Rincon’s long,
fast walls. “Rob has been shaping me really good
boards,” complimented McCabe.
Beyond this winter and the Classic, McCabe is just
having fun and seeing where surfing takes him. Before
that though, you know he will do everything he can to
court the Queen at this year’s Rincon Classic.
He is sponsored by Fox, Electric, Pro Lite, Olas Mex
Grill, Sector 9 and Roberts Surfboards.
Sean Woods
Story & Photo by Jon Shafer
Sean Woods won the Gremlins (11 & under) Division at the
Rincon Classic last year and I had the chance to catch up
with the 12-year-old between sessions and school.
DEEP: What do you think your chances are of repeating are?
Sean Woods: I hope to win, or at least make the finals.
DEEP: What’s the coolest thing about surfing the
Rincon Classic?
SW: Surfing Rincon with no one out, and epic waves.
DEEP: How many Classics have you surfed in?
SW: Two. In 2010 it was my first contest ever and I was
third place in the finals. Last year I won!
DEEP: Who’s your favorite surfer at Rincon?
SW: Bobby Martinez.
DEEP: What’s your favorite section at Rincon?
The Rivermouth, Indicator or the Cove?
SW: The Cove.
DEEP: Who is your favorite surfer at Rincon?
DC: If any of my kids, Jason, Lauren or Matt, are in the water with me then they are my favorites, or my
brother Steve and my nephew Foster. Otherwise I could name a huge list of Rincon friends and Carp guys that
rip. There are also lots of rippers who I don’t even know who they are. Best style masters would be Lauren
Yater and Tony de Groot, just just to name a few.
DEEP: What’s your favorite section at Rincon? Rivermouth, Indicator or Cove?
DC: When it’s a foot or two overhead with a clean northwest direction with a medium tide dropping and you
catch a big one from the top of Indicator, race into the Rivermouth and with all your speed from pumping into
the Rivermouth section that starts to bend and you and stand up in the barrel. That’s the best!
W W W.DEEPZINE.COM
29
SIMA CLASSIC SUNDAY
The “Queen” in all her glory..
PHOTO: DAVID PU’U
Thank You
Communities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, & Ventura
California State Parks
Rincon Homeowners association & residents:
In particular: Debi Clark, Steve Halstead,
Judy Meyers, the Taylor and Fullerton families
Town & Country Realty
Roger Nance
Event Staff & Sponsors:
Jim Knell
Scott Brittingham
Todd Kline, Chad Wells, & the Quiksilver team
Travis Lee, Tony Miller, & Channel Islands Surfboards
Al & Terry Merrick
Britt Merrick
Michael Kew
Jen Malkin, Ethan Stewart, &
the Santa Barbara Independent
Andres Nuño, Chuck Graham, & DEEP Surf Magazine
Ryan Ashton & The Quiksilver Foundation
Andrew Jacobsen & the Arbor Collective
Jeff Lauer & Wahoo’s
Eric Hamor
Marcello & Tiago Portes
Dave Schauber
The Moore Family
Tarik Khashoggi
Judging staff
Staff:
Shore Sheriff & Check In
Mike & Alma Billgren
Darryl Miya
Tony Luna
Heather King
Water Patrol:
Captain Tony Luna
Travis Vogel
Erik Laurabee
Davis Brothers
Danny Bralver
Tarik Khashoggi
Loren Luyendyk
Doug Galati
Skip Saenger
Demi Boelsterli
Andy Smalley
Carl Braid
Parking Guard:
Scott Harden
2012 Quiksilver Rincon Classic Awards Ceremony Presented by Channel Islands
Surfboards will take place Sunday, January 22 at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum,
113 Harbor Way #119, Santa Barbara Harbor. (Subject to change along with event to
subsequent Sundays thereafter).
The 29th annual Rincon Classic awards ceremony is an all-ages event from 6:30 to
9:30 pm. All Rincon Classic participants, their families, friends, and the community are
invited to attend. The ceremony honors all finalists and features a slideshow by Santa
Barbara Surfer’s Jon Shafer, along with video highlights by Josh Pomer straight from the
finals’ lineup.
The event will have live music by the Groove Ons featuring Travers Adler and
Johnny Mcann. Food by Wahoo’s, a raffle and silent auction will help raise funds for
First Descents and the Surf Happens Foundations’ Camp Healing Wave. Contestants
get in free. Guests pay $10 at the door. Includes raffle tickets and meal.
Music by the Groove Ons ................................................... 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Dinner By Wahoo’s .................................................................. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Slideshow & Video Highlights ....................................... 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Silent auction & Raffle.......................................................... 6:30-7:30 p.m.
FD & Camp Healing Wave videos ............................. 7:30-7:45 p.m.
Awards Ceremony .................................................................... 7:45-9:00 p.m.
Music by the Groove Ons ................................................... 9:00-9:30 p.m.
Headlining Sponsors:
Competitors Area:
Marc Grandle (Chiropractic) Alki Wellness Center
Karen Grandle (Massage) Alki Wellness Center
Quiksilver (platinum)
Channel Islands Surfboards (Gold)
Surf Happens, SIMA, SB Independent (Silver)
Arbor, Red Bull, Teva (Bronze Sponsors)
Trophies:
Cobblestone Sponsors:
Full Circle Drums
Gold Mountain Trading Company
Jaya Wave – John Birchim
Skip Saenger
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
Brittingham Foundation
Quiksilver Foundation
Wahoo’s
Announcing Staff:
Contributing Sponsors:
Chris Keet
Brad Jay
Dave Schauber
Chris Brown
Darryl Miya
Adam Lambert
Todd Kline
Peter Mel
Chad Wells (Quiksilver)
Waste Management:
Green Project Consultants – Tom & Alelia Oretsky
Set Up & Tear Down Crew
Danny Rodriguez
Evan Lamb
Jermiah Esparza
Mike Billgren
Matt Coleman
Christian Surfers
Photographers:
Jon Shafer: Santa Barbara Surfer
Glenn Dubock
Branden Aroyan
Videographers:
Josh Pomer – Post Modern Surfer
Volunteers:
Doug Galati
Kailyn Noe
Analiza Zungri
Eden Schmidt
Aubrey Falk
Loren Luyendyk
Joanne Nauheimer
Steve Lichztig (night watchman)
Alki
Santa Barbara Surfer
Indo Board
Jensen’s Guitar
Frooty Acai
Pacific Coast Café
Dubock.com
Roxy
Surf ‘n’ Wear Beach House
Sex Wax
Jaya Wave
Low Tide Rising
Surfline.com
Mad Dogs
Green Project Consultants
Deep Surf Magazine
Christian Surfers
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Mad Dogs
Hot Spots & Caribbean Coffee
Environmental Partners:
Quiksilver Foundation
Surf Happens Foundation
Surfers Without Borders
Surfrider Foundation
Naples Coalition
Artist bio
Rick Tontz
Rick Tontz created
the original artwork
and poster design for
this years event. Tontz
runs Logan Dzyn and
has been involved with
many companies including Channel Islands Surfboards, Wavehunters Surf Travel, Surf Happens,
Rincon Classic, On a Mission, Spy Sunglasses,
Surfer Magazine, Powder Magazine, National Geographic, Red Bull, Nautica Clothing & Footwear,
Water Conservation Services and more.
Donating Artists:
Aubrey Falk
Rick Tontz
Mike Kew
Tony Luna
John Birchim
Classic Sunday Awards Ceremony:
Toni Mackie
Jenny Keet
Greg Gorga
Bunni Lesh
Charlie Schmidt
Gabe Chesher
Analiza Zungri
Musicians:
The Groove Ons: Travers Adler & Johnny McCann
Charitable Partners:
First Descents
Surf Happens Foundation – Camp Healing Wave
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Artists:
Poster Artwork & Website: Rick Tontz / Logandzyn
Trophy Logo: Brian Chandler / Solar B
Legends: Gone Too Soon
Jeff White
Ray Strange
Chris Nancarrow
Bob Krause
Brandon Yates
Mike Fraley
Doctor Doug