Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational presented by Pacifico

The Vans Duct Tape Invitational presented by Pacifico is the brain child of surf innovator Joel Tudor.  For nearly a decade Joel had wanted to create a contest that combined the fun, family vibe of 'club' contest, travel and progressive surfing on traditional longboards into a traveling circus now known as the Vans Duct Tape Invitational.  The Duct Tape quickly became the 'main' stage for a new generation of loggers such as Alex Knost,  James Perry, Ryan Burch, Tyler Warren and a host of others  who had been largely ignored by the surf world.  In 2010 the first Duct Tape took place in conjunction with the East Coast Surfing Championships and since then has traveled the globe providing an exciting new twist in  surfing culture and competition.  The contest is comprised of 16 invitees competing on traditional logs, single fin, no plugs, 9'2 minimum, and 12lbs. In addition there is a no-interference, best wave shared aspect where surfers are encouraged to ride the same wave and see what they can make of it together.  Nose-riding, cutbacks, and all other maneuvers are scored but it is style that is the back bone of what the Duct Tape really brings to surfing.  In 2014 the Duct Tape will return to Huntington Beach for a second year to be part of the Vans US Open of Surfing before traveling to Nova Scotia, Canada for the first time, in 2015 keep your eyes peeled for a Duct Tape Invitational near you! 

Surf Contest Format

• 16 man format
• 4 man heats/ 2 days
• Top 2 advance from each heat
• 25 minute heats/ 40 minute final
• Judging is based on traditional longboarding with a heavy emphasis on style ala David Nuuhiwa to Nat Young

Surf Equipment

• Must be a single fin
• No plugs on board (leash or side fins)
• 9'2 minimum length (or 3ft. over your head)
• 12lb. minimum weight

Prize Money

• 1st - $4,000
• 2nd - $3,000
• 3rd! - $2,000
• 4th! - $1,000
• Best Shared Wave
• Round 1 and Semis – $500 per heat 
• Finals – $1000 

If no shared wave in a regular round, prize money from that 

heat will carry over into the final heat

Total – $14,000

2014 Invitees

• Kelia Moniz
• Troy Mothershead
• Justin Quintal
• Ryan Burch
• Alex Knost
• Troy Elmore
• Tyler Warren
• Andy Nieblas
• Harrison Roach 
• Chad Marshall
• James Parry
• Yuta Sezutsu
• Devon Howard
• Kassia Meador
• Lucas Dirkse
• Jared Mell

For more information and history of the Duct Tape Invitational, check out the 2013 Vans Surf Film "The Ductumentary"