This past weekend the fourth annual Surfing and Traditions gathering and surf contest was held at La Gnar, WA. A cultural celebration of traditions and surfing, combined over a three day event. The first day was for the kids. With a purpose of bringing together area youth to catch some waves and learn about taking advantage of the beautiful Northwest outdoors. Volunteers set about teaching the kids how to get out there and catch some stoke on the water and then brought them into the warmth of the tribal center for some closing ceremonies, a salmon bake, and a raffle give away from the some of the cool companies like Freq, Mervin, Circa, Hurley, One Ball Jay, NXNXW Surf Shop, and too many more to list.
The second day was for those willing to be judged, or at least thinking they had a chance to rip some not so killer waves in the surf contest. Over the course of the afternoon about fifty or so competitors hacked it out in the sun for little more than bragging rights for a year. The winners also received a nice hand carved paddle, thanks to Grey Eagle, and a new snowboard from Mervin. When all was said and done and the dust settled there were some stoked locals with armloads of goodies from all the killer sponsors who donated for the contest and raffle. Check out www.surfingandtraditions.com for the winners and look for some footy on the next Home School Production.
On Sunday it was time to clean up - er, recycle all the beer cans from the night's hard charging and pick up trash on the beach during the Surfrider Foundation's annual Beach clean-up. All in all, this was a big huge gathering of all the folks you think you won't see until opening day on the mountain, doing what they do best - having a great time for good reason. Thanks to everyone who came out, and espescially the Quileute Tribe for having us.
Displaced snowboarders unite for cause
Andrew Carlson