Huntington Beach, CALIF. (July 31, 2018) – The Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational longboarding series returns to Surf City, Huntington Beach, CA as part of the Vans US Open to debut the first-ever all-women’s Duct Tape competition on August 2-5. At the helm of this historic debut, former longboarding world champion and surfing icon Joel Tudor, invites 16 of the world’s most creative female longboarders to showcase their style and innovation on the famed shores of Surf City, USA.
Hosted in partnership with the largest action sports festival in the world, the Vans US Open of Surfing, the 16th edition of the Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational will be broadcast LIVE with a 4-day window during the weeklong celebration of elite professional surfing. Dedicated longboarding pioneers and true style mavens such as former world champions Honolua Blomfield and Jen Smith, respected shaper Ashley Lloyd, icon Kassia Meador, local Karina Rozunko and more, will be in attendance, promising a diverse global field of longboarding prowess.
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.
2018 Vans Duct Tape Invitational Invitees – Huntington Beach
Ashley Lloyd
Erin Ashley
Hallie Rohr
Honolula Blomfield
Ivy Thomas
Jen Smith
Kaitlin Maguire
Karina Rozunko
Kassia Meador
Kelis Kaleopaa
Makala Smith
Mele Saili
Mia Larson
Sierra Lerback
Summer Richley
Tory Gilkerson
The Vans Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational inaugural women’s edition marks the 16th event in the international Vans 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 surfing icon Joel Tudor, to create an innovative surf series that upholds progression, creativity and craftsmanship in and out of the water.
About Vans
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans authentic collections are sold globally in 84 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans also owns and operates more than 600 retail locations around the world. The Vans brand promotes the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression through the support of athletes, musicians and artists and through progressive events and platforms such as the Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, Vans Warped Tour®, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.