West Shore Lake Huron Freshwater Classic surf comp puts Kincardine on the map

With three of four weekends in the October holding period over, the forecast for Sunday was finally looking promising. Things didn't pan out to be as big as predicted but conditions were still contestable.
With three of four weekends in the October holding period over, the forecast for Sunday was finally looking promising. Things didn’t pan out to be as big as predicted but conditions were still contestable.

Great Lakes surfing history was made Sunday, October 27th as the first Eastern Surfing Association-sanctioned competition ran in Kincardine, Ontario. The West Shore Lake Huron Freshwater Classic brought together surfers from across Ontario and the Eastern U.S.  22 competitors battled it out in shortboard, longboard, and SUP divisions.

With huge support from the Great Lakes surf community, the Town of Kincardine, and the surf industry, The Freshwater Classic will be back in 2014 as an annual event.

Here’s a look at how the day went down.

The morning started out cold, windy, rainy and hail-filled. Surfers from across Ontario and the Eastern US hunkered down in their cars in the parking lot waiting for the 8 a.m. heats to start.
The morning started out cold, windy, rainy and hail-filled. Surfers from across Ontario and the Eastern US hunkered down in their cars in the parking lot waiting for the 8 a.m. heats to start.
Great Lakes surfers are a dedicated, soulful bunch.
Great Lakes surfers are a dedicated, soulful bunch.
West Shore's Ashley Adams competed in the SUP division.
West Shore’s Ashley Adams competed in the SUP division.
Kincardine is quickly becoming a surfing hot spot. The proximity of the Station Beach break to town is pretty amazing. Everything you need is just up the street... including hot coffee and hot showers.
Kincardine is quickly becoming a surfing hot spot. The proximity of the Station Beach break to town is pretty amazing. Everything you need is just up the street… including hot coffee and hot showers.
Matt Rocheford made a huge impression, winning the Shortboard division with his aggressive moves.
Matt Rocheford made a huge impression, winning the Shortboard division with his aggressive moves.
A native of Barbados, It was Rocheford's first time surfing the Great Lakes.
Originally from Barbados, It was Rocheford’s first time surfing the Great Lakes.

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Larry Cavero finds a rare barrel in Sunday's swells. Cavero finished third in the shortboard division.
Larry Cavero finds a rare barrel in Sunday’s swells. Cavero finished third in the shortboard division.
Antonia Acuna was the big winner on the day: Acuna picked up the win in the Longboard division, second in Shortboard, won Wave of the Day and was awarded an Aloha Spirit Award for his contributions to the Great Lakes surfing community.
Antonia Acuna was the big winner on the day: Acuna picked up the win in the Longboard division, second in Shortboard, won Wave of the Day and was awarded an Aloha Spirit Award for his contributions to the Great Lakes surfing community.
Wasaga Beach's Josh Madryga made the Shortboard final.
Wasaga Beach’s Josh Madryga made the Shortboard final.
New York's Scott John's poses for a perfect Canadian postcard: Iconic Kincardine lighthouse complete with Timmy's cup in the background.
New York’s Scott John’s poses for a perfect Canadian postcard: Iconic Kincardine lighthouse complete with Timmy’s cup in the background.
John's finished second in the longboard division with moves like this.
John’s finished second in the longboard division with moves like this.
Acuna prepares for the Shortboard final.
Acuna prepares for the Shortboard final.
Robin Pacquing was the women's open champion. On this day, the women competed alongside the men in all divisions.
Robin Pacquing was the women’s open champion. On this day, the women competed alongside the men in all divisions.
Ariel Amaral battles it out in the SUP division.
Ariel Amaral battles it out in the SUP division.
An avid SUP competitor, Amaral also surfed in the Kincardine comp.
An avid SUP competitor, Amaral also surfed in the Kincardine comp.
A shortboard heat races to the waves
A shortboard heat races to the waves
Jeff Lahti gets ready for his heat
Jeff Lahti gets ready for his heat
The man with the weight of the world on his shoulders this October... Local surfer Josh Kincardine was tasked with making the call based on the forecast for the competition. Gordon went on to win the SUP division.
The man with the weight of the world on his shoulders this October… Local surfer Josh Kincardine was tasked with making the call based on the forecast for the competition. Gordon went on to win the SUP division.
A sizeable crowd of spectators and supporters came out too. Everyone kept warm in a tent provided by Big Top Tent Rentals. A pumping heater and hot coffee were available inside.
A sizeable crowd of spectators and supporters came out too. Everyone kept warm in a tent provided by Big Top Tent Rentals. A pumping heater and hot coffee were available inside.
West Shore Lakeside Surf Shop backed the event with some huge prizes.
West Shore Lakeside Surf Shop backed the event with some huge prizes.
Great Lakes Surfer's James Carrick braved the cold to post heat by heat results for online followers.
Great Lakes Surfer’s James Carrick braved the cold to post heat by heat results for online followers.
Kincardine presents a crazy, unique surf opportunity. The pier allows surfers great access to the break and gives spectators a great view. The town and local tourism agencies are supporting the growth of the sport here.
Kincardine presents a crazy, unique surf opportunity. The pier allows surfers great access to the break and gives spectators a great view. The town and local tourism agencies are supporting the growth of the sport here.
The crowd moved to the Bruce Steakhouse for awards, beer and burgers. The Eastern Surfing Association's Aurelien Bouche-Pillon speaks to the crowd. The event was sanctioned and supported by the ESA.
The crowd moved to the Bruce Steakhouse for awards, beer and burgers. The Eastern Surfing Association’s Aurelien Bouche-Pillon speaks to the crowd. The event was sanctioned and supported by the ESA.
Ashley Adams, Josh Gordon and Aurelien Bouche-Pillon with Shortboard winner Matt Rocheford, second place Antonio Acuna and third place Larry Cavero.
Ashley Adams, Josh Gordon and Aurelien Bouche-Pillon with Shortboard winner Matt Rocheford, second place Antonio Acuna and third place Larry Cavero.
Longboard winner Antonia Acuna, second place Scott Johns and third place Ian Kershaw.
Longboard winner Antonia Acuna, second place Scott Johns and third place Ian Kershaw.
SUP division winner Josh Gordon with second place Elliot Woolner and third place Zachary Brajuha.
SUP division winner Josh Gordon with second place Elliot Woolner and third place Zachary Brajuha.
Women's Open Division champ Robin Pacquing.
Women’s Open Division champ Robin Pacquing.
Aloha Spirit Award winners Scott Johns, Josh Gordon, Helene Fillion, and Antonio Acuna.
Aloha Spirit Award winners Scott Johns, Josh Gordon, Helene Filion, and Antonio Acuna.

 

Results from The 2013 West Shore Lake Huron Freshwater Classic:
Shortboard Division
1. Matt Rocheford, Barbados
2. Antonia Acuna, Canada
3. Larry Cavero, Canada

Longboard Division
1. Antonio Acuna, Canada
2. Scott Johns, U.S.
3. Ian Kershaw, Canada

Women’s Open Champion
1. Robin Pacquing

Stand-up Paddleboard Division
1. Josh Gordon, Canada
2. Elliot Woolner, Canada
3. Zachary Brajuha, Canada

Aloha Spirit Awards
Scott Johns, U.S.
Helene Filion, Canada
Antonio Acuna, Canada
Josh Gordon, Canada

Oldest/Most Influential Surfer:
Dana Stringhan, U.S.

Wave of the day:
Antonio Acuna, Canada

For more information on surfing the Great Lakes visit Great Lakes Surfers 

For more information on the Eastern Surfing Association visit their website.

To view a live webcam of the Kincardine break visit Kinsurf.co

Need surf gear and local surf advice? Visit West Shore Lakeside Surf Shop.

For more information on Kincardine surfing visit www.sunsets.com/kincardine