Peter Devries Wins Historic 12th Canadian Title

“If you find the steep waves to connect on on a day like this it really stands out. If you don’t find a steep wave it’s very horizontal surfing and the judges don’t like that. It’s really just about giving yourself chances and trying to find the steep ones,” Devries continued.

Sanoa Passion Dempfle-Olin nabbed the Canadian open women’s title in a Final against her older sister Mathea, Canadian Junior Team member Ocea Green (who did a quick jersey switch after winning the U16) and Luana Ferrari.

“It was a really close battle with my sister, which is just how we love it. That was really nice to battle with her again; it’s the first heat with her since she became a mom,” said Dempfle-Olin.

Dempfle-Olin was Canada’s first surfer to qualify for the Olympics and competed in Paris 2024. An ankle injury took her out of the jersey for a few months, but she says she’s excited to be competing again as a wildcard on the WSL challenger series.

“Qualifying for the Olympics again is obviously a big goal of mine, however, it is really difficult to do so I’m not really putting any pressure on it. I’m just taking each event as they come,” said Dempfle-Olin.

“I’m just going to give the (WSL challenger) the very best shot that I can. Just take it one event at a time, just put my best surfing and all my focus forward and see where that can lead me,” she said, adding that she is grateful for the community support and to represent Canada.

“It’s super special to compete at my home break and have all my family around. There is no other place like home for me. With all my heart, thank you so much,” said the Olympian. 

Surf Canada coach Shannon Brown won the Rip Curl Pro Nationals master’s men division by knocking out Sepp Bruhwiler, Raph Bruhwiler and David Schiaffino.

“It feels pretty good but I feel old,” he laughed. “I’m the youngest out of the old guys. It feels a little bit cheeky. These guys are my heroes since I lived in Canada that pushed me the most. Raph is always a treat and David basically put this event together. It was such an epic line up.”

Raph Bruhwiler was a happy competitor and a prouder dad with his eldest son Shea winning the U18 and youngest son Dusty placing second in the U16 and fourth in the U18. His daughter Aqua made the semis of the open women’s.

“I get a lot more thrill just watching them and cheering for them than me competing,” he said. “I think the kids are so good nowadays. Every generation is just getting better and better. The level just climbs every year. It’s like that anywhere around the world, but I think Canada you don’t see it as much because there aren’t that many events.”

His sister Catherine Bruhwiler won the women’s masters against Shandy Kariatsumari, Kat Rosene and Ashleigh Drummond.

“There are a lot of Bruhwiler’s in the contest this year,” he grinned.

Teagan Sandvig, 12, from San Clemente, California took the U16 girls national title and surfed her way to the top spot of the Rip Curl Grom Search podium. Her brother Tanner won the U16 boys title. Their Canadian connection comes from their mom, Jenni, who was born and raised in the province of Ontario, Canada.

“This is my fourth time surfing in Tofino,” said Teagan. “It was fun competing against all my friends and just being here. The conditions were really cold compared to San Clemente, but the waves were fun and I got a couple good ones.”

The Sandvigs' U16 national titles puts the California siblings on the Canadian Junior National team.

“It’s a qualifier for the Juniors. It’s a guaranteed spot for the top two place finishers,” said coach Brown. “The third spot will be on review. It’s somewhat of a wildcard position. We’d have to have a pretty substantial reason to not chose the person who gets third, but the goal of team selection is to bring the best possible team to an event.”

For Raph Bruhwiler, the California kids coming up to compete is nothing new, but with the Rip Curl Nationals being a Junior Team qualifier that means those coveted spots could be taken away from homegrown groms.

“When I used to compete a lot back in the day there was always California kids. It was hard and it sucked when they beat you, but it elevates the level. You try harder because it’s your home turf and you want to defend it. It’s good and bad. I think for these national events, a lot of these kids have come here before and they do hang out and love it.”