The Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational returns with a new expedition set for Tofino in Vancouver, B.C. on May 6-8

With a beautiful locale and exciting new surf ripe for the taking, world-renowned professional surfer and esteemed contest director, Joel Tudor will lead 16 of the most creative and innovative longboarders from across the globe to exhibit their unique surfing style on the remote shores of Tofino. Raising the stakes in 2016 with a new prize purse of $24,000USD, the 16-man contest will span a two-day window with top contenders in tow, including defending champion Justin Quintal, who claimed his third consecutive title in the Duct Tape Series last summer during the Vans US Open. Quintal’s return is matched by veteran longboarding icons Alex Knost, experimentalist Ryan Burch, and the style-heavy Tyler Warren. Newcomers like the event’s wildcard, Tofino’s own Asia Dryden, plus Vans Canada team player Dean Petty, and soulful waverider Karina Rozunko will bring new perspective to the field, ensuring a diverse display of talent across the board. Strict guidelines will enforce the use of traditional, single-fin logs without modern attachments and no interference allowed. Additional points are awarded for best shared wave, encouraging surfers to ride the same wave with style and creativity.

2016 DTI Tofino Invitees

Alex Knost

Justin Quintal

Troy Mothershead

Ryan Burch

Andy Nieblas

Tyler Warren

Nathan Strom

Kai Ellice-Flint

Chad Marshall

Harrison Roach

Karina Rozunko

Dean Petty

Tommy Witt

Dane Perlee

Reilly Stone

Asia Dryden

In tradition of celebrating an eccentric culture fueled by art and creativity, Vans will host a special screening of filmmaker George Trimm’s avant-garde surf film, ‘Forbidden Trim’, followed by a closing event performance by surfer Alex Knost’s beloved experimental band, Tomorrows Tulips. The Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational in Tofino marks the twelfth event in the international Duct Tape contest series, reinforcing a global platform for longboarding specialty and providing a unique festival atmosphere for today’s most progressive longboarding icons. Since 2010, the Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational has set a standard for the longboarding community, enriching competition with an affinity for style and originality. The Vans Duct Tape Invitational contest series is anchored by the vision of two-time ASP world longboarding champion Joel Tudor, to create an innovative surf series that upholds progression, creativity and craftsmanship in and out of the water.