Classic Noserides and Unconventional Handshapes Defined the Duct Tape Fest in Portugal
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“You can’t order surf when you travel,” Duct Tape Invitational founder Joel Tudor said about the conditions at the logging event’s latest stop in Ericeira, Portugal. While the ocean doesn’t always produce epic waves, perfect surf isn’t required for a good time. And at each Duct Tape event, fun is just as much a constant as the single-finned logs competitors ride—regardless of what the ocean gifts to, or withholds from, the venue. The first stop of the Duct Tape’s 2019 season was far from a skunk though. The section-y and head-high crumblers that rolled into Ericeira were more than contestable for the invitees.
While Kaniela Stewart and Chloé Calmon board-transferred and cross-stepped their ways to champagne showers at the Invitational, some of Vans’ team riders were busy mowing foam. One of the ways the Duct Tape Festival gives back to local surf communities is by allowing locals free reign on the boards made by the Vans team. Fish and mid-length designs materialized at the hands of Ivan Florence, Harry Bryant, Ainara Aymat and James Parry, and local test pilots put the handmade quiver through the paces.
The Iberian coast–where the venue was located–is also riddled with waves more shreddedbable than loggable in nature. Aerial maestro Nathan Fletcher snuck away from the festivities with a crew of Vans shredders to hunt some ramps. After breaking down the difference between magic and not-so-magic boards in the most black-and-white way possible, Fletcher put a snub-nosed quad to work in the punt-able surf.
Hit play to watch the good times roll above and stay tuned for the DTI’s next stop Opens a New Window. at the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach.
Thu 18th Jul, 2019 @ 1:15 am
