“The Best Longboard Contest In The World” Returns To Florida

For Quintal—a multiple-time world champ, the winningest surfer in the history of Joel Tudor’s Duct Tape Invitational,  and one of the most widely adored humans to ever set foot on a log— the Loggerhead is Justin’s contribution to the culture that molded him as a grom.

We caught up with Quintal and he said, "Everything’s on track, we have a lot of people coming from all over this year, with 120 competitors. Friends just started arriving and there should be decent waves the next few days, so stoked to show them North Florida and some of what it has to offer, as well as clear the head some before the weekend!"

"There’s potential in the tropics as well, but either way right now I think it’s looking like fun log waves, and we have a hell of an event planned with plenty of fun at night!"

Justin Quintal

Expect heats filled with world-class stylists—locals, underground East Coasters and Europeans from across the Atlantic, as well as more than a few traveling pros—trading noserides in what is  hopefully shaping up to be a few days of clean surf from Hurricane Gabriel.

The event kicks off Friday, with the after party at Vooswar, with a premiere of Log Rap’s new film, and a live performance by Airtight Band and Mzg.

Saturday heats continue with the after party moving to the Ink Factory Brewery, for an afternoon and evening of vintage board swaps, a pop up with The Center Of Radical Education and Florida Surf Museum  featuring Juan Rodriguez of One World Surf Designs, and his ungodly authoritative collection of period correct vintage fin templates, as well as a parking lot full of vintage board enthusiasts for the annual Vintage Board Sip and Swap.

Quintal has built something rare in surfing: an event that feels at once global and local, professional and backyard, high- production and completely accessible, and by the time the sun sets Sunday night, The Loggerhead won’t just have crowned champions. It’ll have created lifetime memories, forged new bonds and reunited old friends, and carries forward a cultural lineage that Justin should be damned proud of making happen.

The Loggerhead Classic is more than a contest, and this weekend, if you’re anywhere near Jacksonville, you’ll want to be there when it comes to life.