RC24 Results & Event Wrap Up
(Scroll to bottom for results)
Third time is a charm as the Rincon Classic scores stellar conditions on the third waiting weekend of the event.
With a series of west swells on the rise, a high pressure system that would bring the warmest weather to the region since July, and optimal wind conditions projected it was an easy decision to call on the 2024 Channel Islands Surfboards Rincon Classic presented by Merrick Lager for the third waiting weekend of the period. Well, relatively easy. With an El Nino season everyone is hoping for large conditions, but the Rincon Classic is more than a surfing contest, it is a community gathering that celebrates the local surfing heritage providing the forum for everyone to gather, talk story, and enjoy the glory of the Queen. The conditions didn't disappoint with buttery 3-6' surf all weekend long.
Everything runs in patterns and this season has been two weeks on and two weeks off. When Surfline forecasters projected fun waves with great conditions for the weekend and unstable weather patterns with rain and wind developing for the remainder of the waiting period we made the call and it proved to offer the perfect weekend for the event.
There are always story lines within the fabric of the contest in every division. The Rincon Classic is the National Championship of SB and Ventura county as a surf contest, and throwing in that it is held at Rincon Point, the Queen of the coast, the best right hand point break in North America, when the waves are good, you have a storied event in a storied community. Highlights included "Be Green To The Queen" the daily beach clean ups supported by Hydroflask and the beach ended up cleaner than before the event. The Dream Cast Media group Live Webcast gave friends and family and online viewers the incredible opportunity to watch from around the world. The raffle raised funds for local Haden Garfield supporting his fight against cancer and showcased how our tribe supports one another.
The Rincon Brewery Pro division featured some of the most prolific surfers in the sport from our region going head to head for a $5,000 cash purse, the passion of surfing empty Rincon, and the pride of holding the Queen's crown for an entire year. Great showings were put forth by former champions Dane Reynolds, Conner Coffin, Cory Arrambide, Matt Maheri, Trevor Berry and Kellen Ellison among others, but the final four was indeed a battle Royale.
It was a see saw affair with Parker Coffin winning back to back titles with two perfectly surfed backside waves complete with his power and flair. Runner up Jabe Sweirkocki nearly won the event for the second event in a row with a last minute buzzer beater that took him from 4th to 2nd and was arguably the in form and most precise surfer in the event. 3rd place went to Adam Lambert who surfed with speed, power, flow and progression and rounded out by 4th place perennial finalist and 7 time champion Kilian Garland who surfed immaculately but fell victim to wave selection. One amazing thing to note is that all finalists and many of the Pro's have been surfing in the event since they were in the 12U division. After winning the event Parker went on to say " The Rincon Classic is the heartbeat of our surfing community", he then went on to further show what a champion he is by donating all of his winnings to Haden Garfield and his costs for fighting cancer.
Carpinteria's Maddox Keet won the 12U title with a last minute " Buzzer Beater" garnering a 7 ride with 22 seconds left to take a convincing win. To note was the previous two years he finished runner up while other surfers got buzzer beater wins over him. Although this victory was a sweet one for the powerful, stylish and stoked 12 year old he downplayed it despite having been sick the entire week before. At the awards ceremony he showcased sportsmanship giving his first place skateboard to 3rd place finisher Oakely Souder " you have been ripping and deserve this as much as me and I have one". To note was an incredible performance by runner up Bucky Karvasek who put together some of the best backside surfing of the event.
The 14U featured a dominant performance by Ronin Castorino who scored the highest single wave score of the entire event a 9.86 enroute to victory. It was the young goofy footer from Goleta's 14th birthday and he ripped the bags out of the presents the Queen provided. Last years 12U champion Dominic Arce put forth a great effort with his style and showmanship and continued to cement his status as one of the areas best.
The 17U showcased the future of the sport. Jak Ziets has been surfing the Rincon Classic since he was 8 years old. Now a three time national champion he has won every division mutltiple times. The final was dominated early by Nathan Stepan of Ventura who was surfing with power and searing turns. Jak upped the level in the final five minutes scoring three, 7 plus rides to earn his second consecutive title.
Wahines champion Vela Mattive has been on a tear and continues to show why she is one of the top up and coming females in California. Earlier this year she finished 3rd in the WSL North America QS event in maxed out Morro Bay. After missing last years event due to a conflict she was a woman on a mission, picked the best waves, and combined aggression and form to take the title over a charging Jesse Engel. Engel, last years champion has upped her game and put together the best backside surfing of the division and threw more spray and aggression than any other girl in the field.
The Mens division was won by Alexander Barone of Santa Barbara. The father of a 3 week old son said his " dad powers" kicked into gear in the final and gave him the paddling strength to catch some of the best waves in the second half of the day. Barone surfed with rail game punctuated with spicy top turns to take his first RC victory. Runner up Brandon Benjamin is one of the most stoked and under rated backside surfers in the region. Originally from South Aftrica Brandon is no stranger to right hand point breaks and put on an absolute power clinic throughout the event and fell just short in the final.
Makena Burke put forth a backside clinic sealing her 5th Rincon Classic title and her 2nd in the Womnens division. Burke surfs with flair and precision and showcased her skills on two incredible set waves to claim the victory over a charging Riley Malmsten. Riley was an event stand out with style and rail game well beyond her years and will be a force to reckon with each year.
The Masters division was won by Javi Moreno who has won multiple titles and surfs with a style that is reminiscent of Tom Curren with a side of new school Jalapenos. This was his second consecutive Masters title. Colin Anderson of Goleta was .2 behind Javi and nearly sealed his first Masters title with fast aggressive top turns and smooth cutt backs.
The Grand Masters was won by Walter Cerney who showcased great power, flow and wave selection. Runner up Britt Merrick was one of the form surfers of the event and last years champion. Merrick finished a close second with his characteristic immaculate form and power.
Legends champion Brett Jordan put forth a clinic in keeping things smooth and powerful to barely overtake an in form Chris Willingham. Willingham pulled off the top turn of the final and will be hungry to one up his performance next year.
Super Legends featured some incredible surfing by the areas top elders. Michael Gordon won with power and velvety form on the best two waves over Jonathon Stoller who pulled the floater of the final.
The Lady Legends was won by local Lynn Cochrane who dominated with wave selection rail work and timeless style over 7 time champ Lisa Luna who pulled off the backside snap of the final.
As the sun set and the twilight sky turned pink and gold the community glowing from an incredible weekend, another Classic in the books. Until next year!
Official Results 2024
PRO
1. Parker Coffin
2. Jabe Swierkocki
3. Adam Lambert
4. Kilian Garland
Gremlins/U12
1. Maddox Keet
2. Bucky Karvasek
3. Oakley Souder
4. Jake Jefferis
5. Koby Wachter
6. Rohan Bacon
7. Jaden Platt
Boys/U14
1. Ronin Castorino
2. Dominic Arce
3. Hawk Modisette
4. Wyatt Pitterle
5. Logan Gankas
6. Devin Mclaughlin
Juniors/U17
1. Jak Ziets
2. Nathan Stepan
3. Elias Smith
4. Aiden Albada
5. Koa Modisette
6. Luc Doering
Wahines/U17 girls
1. Vela Mattive
2. Jesse Engel
3. Izzy Scott
4 .Madyson Stone
5. Marley Gilholm
6. Charlotte Cooney
Womens
1. Makena Burke
2. Riley Malmsten
3. Ashley Fagerstadt
4. Shaya Alexander
5. Minami Cramer
6. Rebecca Jamgochian
Mens
1. Alexander Barone
2. Brandon Benjamin
3. Tahven Modisette
4. James Newman
5. Sam Reichel
6. Lucas Grandcolas
Masters
1. Javi Moreno
2. Colin Anderson
3. Nate Winkles
4. Brian Switzer
5. Sean O'toole
6. Blaine Lando
Grand Masters
1. Walter Cerny
2. Britt Merrick
3. Mike Lane
4. Sean Fischer
5. Greg Venable
6. Eduardo Esquenazi
Legends
1. Brett Jordan
2. Chris Willingham
3. Shawn Quien
4. Steve Hanson
5. Adam Ziets
6. Andy Smalley
Super Legends
1. Michael Gordon
2. Jonathon Stoller
3. Andy Neumann
4. Paul Mann
5. Bill Urbany
6. David Prichard
7. John Wallace
Lady Legends
1. Lynn Cochrane
2. Lisa Luna
3. Simone Reddingious
4. Stephanie Jamgochian
5. Kristy Porteous
6. Lyn Burich