Win an all-inclusive weekend in Tofino to catch the O'Neill Cold Water Classic
Written by: Julie Ovenell-CarterI think most surfers flunked out of physics in high school.
Once, many Octobers ago in Tofino, BC, I watched from my hotel room balcony as the wild Pacific waves smashed a driftwood log into millions of tiny matchsticks on the shores of Chesterman Beach. It took about 20 seconds. I didn’t need the lesson twice.
So when the good folks at Tourism Tofino called and said, “Hey, want to come over and watch the O’Neill Cold Water Classic–Canada’s first-ever professional surfing competition–and maybe take a surf lesson or two?”, I said: “Not so much. But I know some people who might.”
Listen up: if you’re the sort of adrenaline-junkie who thinks riding a plank through ice-water is right up there with outdoor sex and childbirth as a life-affirming experience, have I got a deal for you:
Win an $800 weekend in Tofino to catch the O’Neill Cold Water Classic!
This free-to-watch event is the fourth in a five-part world qualifying series to be held on four continents. More than 100 pro surfers will compete in Tofino for $145,000 USD. Join them for:
Show me your passion
To enter: leave a comment below about why you should get this amazing prize, and RT on Twitter (there’s a little share button up there on the right) for a second chance to win.
Write me a poem, show me a video clip, send me pictures of your kids on boogie boards, retweet this contest a million times, tell me a two-hanky tale about surfing with your mom or how you proposed to your girlfriend under a full moon on the beach or…well, you get the idea.
Show me your passion for the prize–and may the best dude win.
I’ll announce the winner on Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 pm, so you’ll have time to plan your trip.
Update: this contest is now closed. There are so many excellent entries and I want to give them careful consideration, so I need to take a bit more time to look them over. Please come back around noon tomorrow to see if you’re the lucky winner…
Update: Congrats to Alicia Fairclough of Vancouver, whose funny poem about a Tofino break-up made me laugh out loud…check your email Alicia!
Teresa
on October 13th, 2009I’d love to win this prize! I think I should win because I’ve never been to Tofino before. Oh ya…I’ll share this on Twitter too.
Bradley Cooper
on October 13th, 2009I should win this. When I was 21, I packed my girlfriend, my old bought-used Bing surfboard into my Mom’s Datsun B-210 and headed for Tofino to try the waves. I had just spent three months in San Diego living on the beach in an old motel and learning to surf. When we arrived, locals said the swells were the smallest they’d seen in a decade. It was a downer, man. On top of that, we had to keep the hatchback open all the time to accommodate my board and we ended up inhaling plenty of exhaust fumes.
Now, almost extactly 30 years later, I need to go back.
Sally Haggerstone
on October 13th, 2009I would love to win this because I first learned to surf in Tofino at the age of 13 with my family & two friends. We returned occasionally, usually as some revival of the original group, but my tolerance for the cold water decreased once I finished my teens and spent time in Bali. I like the idea of staying somewhere in Tofino other than my tent!
Not sure if this link will work but surfing in the snow is pretty determined!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2252830&op=13&o=global&view=global&subj=122505881&id=503710485
Tim Frazer
on October 13th, 2009I need to feel my blood freezing in my veins, this is an experience that Tofino uniquely offers 365 days of the years. I’ll surf in any kind of conditions,lightning storms ,snowing, or gasp, even if it’s flat and in the middle of summer.
I’ll spread this contest to all my friends on facebook and twitter, let’s go pro surfing!
VancityAllie
on October 14th, 2009I would LOVE to go support our local surfers in the Cold Water Competition… this is a major milestone for a Canadian city to host this!
I’m a huge surf fan, Tofino fan, and would love to blog about this and make a video about the event…. if you send me, I promise to make a badass video!
http://vimeo.com/6739019
Seriously though, this would just be fantastic for myself and my boyfriend, who are surfers but can’t afford to go out there and stay in accommodations very often… it’s usually camping. And well, tenting at the end of October is cold
Please?
AdrienneJanelle
on October 14th, 2009Best day of my life was taking my then 9yo daughter to Huntington Beach for the US Open surfing (3 yrs ago) and playing in the waves. First and last time she’s seen big waves. Have been promising to take her to Tofino ever since as neither of us have been there yet. We’ve had a pretty crappy last couple of years and haven’t been able to make it there… Would love LOVE to hit up the Cold Water Classic with her!
Haiku:
The cold crashing swell.
Surfers surging to Tofino.
Her smile breaks, misty.
And now I’m retweeting too!
Amber Turnau
on October 14th, 2009Tofino is one of my favourite towns in BC and if I didn’t live in the ultimate outdoor playground of Whistler, it’s where I’d call home. I’m also a huge fan of surfing – and not just because of Point Break. There’s something magical about surfing; that connection with humans and the ocean.
One of my first proper surfing experiences was in Tofino at Surf Sisters surf school. Despite the fact that we all put our wet suits on backwards to start with, we totally kicked butt out there! Inspired by this newfound love for the sport of Hawaiian kings, I later went on a two-month surf trip to Costa Rica.
This prize is an amazing chance to experience Tofino in the fall during an exciting surf competition. I’d also love to blog about it!
“Vaya con Dios.”
Suzan Wood
on October 14th, 2009Last summer I drove my little vw bug to Tofino for a little yoga surfing expedition. Each morning I went to a wonderful yoga class with a local instructor and then rented a board and tried and tried and tried to get up, no way. I tried surfing meditation, I tried creative visualization and then finally I tried Surf Sisters. Hell they had the vw bugs too! My instructor, cool groovy surfer chick identified the problem immediately; I kept trying to do a yoga warrior posture on my board. Finally after many unsuccessful attempts one which resulted in a bloody nose I succeeded. Up and up and up whah hoo ! I had that thrill you know the thrill I caught the wave whah hoo! It was a brief 4 seconds . But the thrill, I will never forget. I would love to go back and try try again, with my best yogic surfing tude dude.
Josip
on October 14th, 2009If I win, I will write about my experiences and share them with you.
Travis
on October 14th, 2009I first stepped (well, slipped, slithered, flopped, and staggered) onto a surfboard in Tofino when I was 11. Having never even seen a real surfer, I was a little at a loss for what to do once I had stood up on the board. Through subsequent trips, however, I have developed a love for the experience of surfing. Every time I come back from a surf trip to Tofino I find myself watching the choppy wind waves that blow in off the Strait of Georgia in the summer and out of Howe sound in the winter, wondering if I could coax a ride out of them.
I would love to get a chance to see some good surfers in our home waters. The experience would truly be something worth remembering. I am a student so I can rarely afford the trip out to Tofino even for a weekend, so winning this prize would be amazing.
Holly
on October 14th, 2009Our delayed honeymoon was spent in Tofino,
The second marriage for both; life-loves finally found.
The setting was perfect, but little did we then know,
I was ill and it would take the entire trip to rebound.
It would be a dream finally realized if we were able to go.
To celebrate our love – once more, newfound.
Jordan Earl Scott
on October 15th, 2009Good Morning Julie,
My name is Jordan, and I am a thirty two year old male living in Vancouver. Was on Facebook, and came across a link to this contest. It caught my attention, and for a couple reasons. Tofino is a great place, but have only been there once. Would really like to go back, and for more time. My nationality is Hawaiian which gives me my interest in surfing, but have never tried it. Hawaii is a place I wish to visit, and having a chance to be a spectator at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic would be closest too. Tofino also reminds me of my hometown Prince Rupert in Northwest British Columbia. The one time I had been to Tofino was when myself, and my old Victoria film school buddies went on a road trip for the day. Caught some great scenery, and ate some breaky at a cafe. Definately wasn’t a long enough time to enjoy, but at least I can say I had been there.
Thanks,
Jordan
Jessica-Sara
on October 15th, 2009I’ve surfed since I was 9. I lived in Comox, BC. So, the 2.5 hour trip to Wickininish Beach, or Cox Bay wasn’t far fetched. We usually made it two times a month, all year round.
When I hit the great age of 17, I stopped surfing I had a bad surfing accident that crippled my experience.. I got pulled out to sea, and my board hit me hard in the head leaving me unconscious. I have no idea how I made it back to shore, but somehow I felt some greater force put me on my board and I woke up a few hundred feet from the shore.
I’m now almost 22 and 6 months pregnant, and I haven’t jumped in the icy water and tried my hand at something I used to love.
I would love this trip before my baby gets here.. not only would it remind me of all that I used to be, but it would give me a chance to incorporate something I loved so much into my fiance and baby’s life.
Thanks!
Kim Shetler
on October 15th, 2009I think I should win this trip because…
This summer I was on my way back to Vancouver from the big island(Vancouver) and I discovered I had three days with no obligations. As I have in my mind that when I win the lottery I am going to buy a small shack on a beach in Hawaii and surf all day, I decided I should see if I really like it. So I turned my car around and headed to Tofino to take surf lessons. I am horrible at it, and I love it! I dragged my kids to Tofino later in the summer and we surfed for a couple of days. I am still horrible at it and I still love it! Next summer we will go again and surf and camp for as long as my kids won’t have a mutiny. Meanwhile, I am learning to skateboard…I tried to attach a photo but can’t figure out how!
Mitch
on October 15th, 2009Oh, Oh, Pick me!
I learned how to surf in Australia, and since then have had some of the best surf experiences at Long Beach in Tofino. I don’t get over there too often, but I love the town, the restaurants, and of course, the beaches and the surf!
I’d take one of my friends who has never surfed, but she wants to try, and what better way to show my love of surfing but with a great trip to Tofino!
Summer
on October 15th, 2009Hi Julie,
This is a cry for help…I’m a 20 something year old girl who works too hard but doesn’t have the time or the money to play as hard! Vancouver being the no fun city that it is, makes it hard for me to meet guys so I’m begging you to pick me! I think surfer boys are the hottest kind of guys! don’t you think? They always have a hot body and are tan all year long! Isn’t that every girl’s dream? Winning this trip would help me spice up my non-existent love life and could change my life…for better or for worse;)
Kelley Voyer
on October 15th, 2009The last time I went surfing, I was 12 years old….my Dad rented a motor home and we took it from Phoenix to L.A. We went to Disneyland (stayed overnight in the parking lot!) and then drove to see the ocean for the first time. It was amazing! People we knew had rented a beach house so we got to stay there for a few nights. I loved it! I surfed for the first and only time in my life …..Cathy (the girl from the beach house family) and I were quite far out floating on our boards one afternoon when a Wonder Bread bag floated by (the beginnings of the Great Garbage Patch, I guess). Anyway, I thought it would be funny and decided to fill it with water, tie a knot in the top, and toss it onto her back while yelling “Shark”. Boy, in retrospect, I was a horrible child.
Anyway, Cathy was like a motorboat the way she paddled back to shore. Eventually, I caught a wave and when I got to the beach, it was abandoned. A lifeguard ran into the water and grabbed me and my board and told me the beach had been evacuated due to a shark siting. I said nothing….remember, I was a horrible child. No one could swim for the rest of the day as the coast guards and lifeguards went up and down the beach with binoculars searching for the massive shark (according to Cathy, it was bigger than their their station wagon).
At bedtime, I had to confess (obviously, I wasn’t THAT horrible) so I told my mother the truth. She looked long and hard at me and then said, “Let’s just keep this our little secret.”
The point of all of this is….that if I win this trip, I promise to call Cathy Callison and tell her what I did to her 37 years ago. I will also tell her that because I did that to her (I really thought she would just laugh) that I get to go on a really fun weekend away to Tofino which I don’t think will necessarily make her feel better but I will feel much better having that 37 year old secret off my chest.
…and I promise not to throw anything at anyone while I am there.
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on October 15th, 2009Oh my goodness. These are such wonderful stories! I am laughing, sighing, smiling…thanks for sharing guys!
Janice
on October 16th, 2009Oooh! Pick me, pick me! Please!
Rebecca
on October 16th, 2009My friend Angela and I used to surf in Tofino, braving the icy waters (yes, even in the summer) then, afterwards, sneaking into somebody’s backyard nearby where we were camping to use their garden hose to shower off. We camped in a gravel lot down the road from the beach that was filled with crab traps and noisy raccoons so sleep was hard to come by. The pub across the street was a haven, both for cheap (and warm!) food and clean bathrooms where we could brush our teeth. Our other meals consisted of breakfast in the gravel pit and lunch in the bed of the truck in the parking lot, canned ravioli and hot chocolate. Unfortunately, no matter how much we cleaned the one pot we used for the food, our hot chocolate always tasted of ravioli.
Erin O'Reilly
on October 16th, 2009I just moved to Vancouver Island (Nanaimo) less than two months ago from, gasp, Toronto and I have been getting the chance to explore BC. I love it here so far. As I lived in a big city my whole life I want to try as many outdoor activities as possible while I live here. As I have said to many people, I literally have a crush on BC. This province is awesome, I feel lucky that I have had the chance to live here. Surfing in the pacific ocean is definitely on my list of desired outdoor activities. I always thought I would do it in warm water…but what the heck, bring on the challenge. I haven’t made it to Tofino yet and I really want to. I have been bugging my boyfriend to take me there for a little getaway.
Not long ago I started a blog dedicated to my year of trying new things and pushing myself to the limit. http://erinoreilly-oceansidegirl.blogspot.com/
The weekend sounds awesome, so if you do pick me I would be grateful for the chance to try one more thing that excites/scares/challenges me. When I am done my surfing adventure I will have another entry for my blog thanks to you, something interesting to twitter about and a story that will be passed along for generations to come (well you get the idea…).
Gloria
on October 17th, 2009Although, I only had my first surfing experience in Hawaii this past September. I think you’ll be seeing me on a glossy cover photo of a surfing magazine soon. You’ll see the determination and passion for surfing in my eyes.
I’m sure it was the look in my eyes that inspired a photographer, a complete stranger, to snap a picture of me as I was coming out of the water with my board. I admit, for one brief moment when I saw the camera, I thought that my turned up surf shirt was exposing my bikini lines. But, when I quickly looked down, though my shirt was up, my bikini underneath was still in place.
So, clearly, it must have been my spirit that this stranger was trying to capture on film. He must have seen me through his lens when I was surfing. Maybe he saw how I rode a wave almost all the way back to shore. Or if he had missed that very special and brief moment, he probably caught a continuous live replay of my unwavering will to stand up on my board, despite being thrown back into the ocean over and over again. It was either the expression of triumph or resolve that he was after.
However, my husband Mario, has a slightly different theory. Mario suggests that, with no wardrobe malfunction, the photographer’s impromptu shot was to capture the expression of pure surfing exasperation.
Mario says that when I returned to shore, I was quite dishevelled with my shirt up to my neck, sand in my hair and surf board in tow. He says my look was that of someone who had just been battered by the ocean and was ready to crumble onto the beach.
There might be some truth in his perspective, but I insist that my new found passion for surfing must be visible somewhere in the stranger’s photo.
If Mario is correct, then, I might not be on the next cover of a magazine. But, if I win this package to the O’Neil Cold Water Classic, with another surf lesson, at least, I’ll have a better surfing photo for my Facebook Page.
Ashley
on October 18th, 2009I’ve never been to Tofino- my grandpa was one of the world best naval architects.. He would have loved to take me to Tofino so that I could watchtge Pacific in all her amazing glory!
Annemarie
on October 18th, 2009Oh – I have always but always wanted to learn how to surf. In fact a girlfriend and I are planning to attend surf sisters next summer – but wouldn’t it be fabulous if I had a head start on her (she has a head start on me in the bikini department) with some lessons!
Rick Vugteveen
on October 18th, 2009Is this fate or what? Just two hours ago I was talking too my wife about how nice it would be to visit Tofino. Last time we were on Vancouver Island was a little over a year ago for our honeymoon. Unfortunately, this year we were not about to properly celebrate as we were both out of town traveling. This trip would be too late, but certainly not too little.
Jason Kurylo
on October 18th, 2009I’m hydrophobic and my Mexican wife has a tragic aversion to cold, wet weather. We’re the perfect couple to sit, warm and dry in the restaurant, sipping wine and marvelling at the crazy-ass surfing gods braving the icy waves.
Rebecca
on October 18th, 2009THIS IS SO AWESOME!! I learned to surf at Bell’s Beach in Australia a few years ago and Tofino is the only place I know to surf in BC! This would be AMAZING to win. Tofino is gorgeous and what could be better than staying at the Wikinninish Inn watching pro surfers all day!!
This would be incredible to win! Fingers crossed!
rudy kehler
on October 18th, 2009Desperately need time away. And I would never have picked this. Would be timely and oh so fun!
I have gladly retweeted this info. Someone’s going to have an excellent time!
Blair Smith
on October 18th, 2009A Haiku entry
The ocean heals me
I’m stressed with too much homework
Surfing is my escape
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on October 19th, 2009Ya, Jason I hear you: that’s MY idea of a great Tofino vacation too–throwing myself in the cold ocean just somehow doesn’t hold the same appeal!!
Jewels
on October 19th, 2009I’ve lived in BC my entire 30 years
I’ve never been to Tofino,
I know, feel free to shed some tears.
I know you can go camping nightly
but what a luxury it would be
to stay indoors one night, quite frankly.
I have been surfing only once before
on my romantic trip for one to Honolulu
it only left me aching for more
After two years of living and traveling solo
I have found the love of my life,
Tofino would be the first adventure for this fun loving duo
We love to try new places to eat
I’m a pretty good baker and cook myself
If you want we can send you a treat!
Yes we’ve seen the Pacific Ocean
But never have seen a surf contest
So pretty please, let me start to put a travel plan into motion.
Jen
on October 19th, 2009I’ve been to Tofino many times, and (alas!) have never managed to go surfing while there! I always end up mesmerized by the waves, and zone out for 3 days until it’s time to go home again. Cursing all the while that I missed surfing, again.
Please, please, pretty please make this the push I need to stop staring and start surfing!
Sarah
on October 19th, 2009Winning this trip would be the best birthday gift ever! My 30th birthday is on October 29. It would be a great way to celebrate a milestone. And even when I was growing up in Ontario I had dreams of being a surfer. Now that I’m on the west coast, I’d love for that to come true (even if just for a day).
Alicia
on October 19th, 2009Female Aussie Traveller, mid 20s seeks professional surfer dude for surfing / fine dining / dirty weekend in Tofino. Must be attractive, especially when blue and goose bumpy. Should possess good sense of humour (but NOT while teaching me to surf) and spare wetsuit, ideally one that goes with everything and doesn’t make my ass look big. Knife and fork experience also essential, as not every Australian woman’s idea of fine dining is a candle lit BBQ.
A Blair
on October 19th, 2009Surfers astride glistening boards,
Silhouetted in the evening sun,
Barking bulls ominous in the fading light,
Darkness envelops the infinite beach,
Unsurpassed beauty reigns.
Mike Berard
on October 20th, 2009One year ago (plus 9 days), I proposed to my wife on Chesterman’s beach during sunset. Cheesy? Maybe. Memorable? Very. I’d like to return for a mini-honeymoon after our recent wedding on Sept 19th, and revisit the moment…except for the part where she failed to answer me for three agonizing minutes. If you pick me, I’ll publish the video of those painful moments and the eventual “Yes” that came afterwards and write a blog post on the anniversary weekend/surf contest.
http://Twitter.com/MikeBerard
Alicia Fairclough
on October 20th, 2009The last time I went to Tofino
The experience was ever so crap
I went with my boyfriend so dreamy
And left with my heart going splat
Like the sound of a floppy dead fish
Colliding with a steamy cow pat
Or a suicidal wet rubber chicken
Beating himself with a bat
We were going to do some surfing
And eat at the Wickaninnish Inn
That lines got far too many syllables
This verse should go in the bin
The drive to Tofino was long
In a car with his boofheaded friends
Two flat tyres and a six hour wait
When the engine blew out its rear end
But we did eventually make it
I was enjoying all the fresh air
Then my boyfriends ex turned up
With her bleach blonde skanky hair
Turns out he hadn’t been faithful
Things took a turn for the worse
We said all kinds of nasty stuff
That should never be put down in verse
So Tofino for me’s a bad memory
And one that I’d rather forget
But my therapist says that’s not healthy
When dealing with things we regret
To go again would be better
No jerk would ruin my stay
Just me and a girlfriend together
And we won’t even have to pay
Geoff Jarvis
on October 21st, 2009There is something special about the ocean on the west coast – no where in the world does it hold that same sense of mystery, romance and strength. Whenever I leave the shore – be it on a kayak, surfboard or boat, I always make sure to look back at the land, and picture all of my worries, concerns and headaches are left on shore, so that I can be at peace on the sea. Once amongst the waves, there is nothing but me and the ocean moving in harmony- there is something so pure and simple about this relationship, that the vast majority will never understand it.
To be able to share that relationship with my wife (and two young kids) and teach them about the love and enchantment of the sea in such a cathedral as Tofino would be bliss – an opportunity to make memories of a lifetime.
Claudia Laroye
on October 21st, 2009Dear Julie,
In the hopes of gaining the cold, wet and glorious prize, I will share my one, my only, surfing story.
I was 12 years old, and visiting Honolulu with my family. We were staying in a small hotel in Waikiki, and the hotel owner’s son was a gorgeous 22-year old surfer dude. I could not take my eyes off this man. I was only beginning to notice boys (no, really), and here was a red-blooded man. And not only was he beautiful, he was kind. He offered to teach me how to surf.
A dream come true. Of course, Waikiki Beach is not known for serious waves, which is a good thing in hindsight. On the last day of our Hawaiian stay, we met at the beach for my surfing lesson. My surfer boy was patient, attentive and I could barely concentrate on his advice because I was too focused on looking at his face and looking good in front of him, as only a tween girl with a holiday crush could be. Despite his best efforts, I never fully got up on the board, nor did I successfully ride any Waikiki ‘waves’ to shore. But I did end up with the worst case of sunburn in my life. On the bottom of my feet. The pain was unbelievable.
As I hobbled away, looking neither cute or accomplished in the ways of the board, I could only look back longingly at my surfer dude, and silently thank him for trying his best.
This burning memory has forever clouded my first surfing experience, and as such, I humbly ask you consider my plea for redemption. Permit me to get back on the board; to brave the cold surf; to ride the Tofino waves and fashion a new surfing memory I can be proud of.
K. Emond
on October 22nd, 2009Here are some (modified) quotes from a certain surf movie that should put a smile on the face:
Look at it! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, Julie! Let me go out there and let me get one wave, just one wave before you take me in. I mean, come on Julie, where I am I gonna go? Cliffs on both sides! I’m not gonna paddle my way to New Zealand! Come on, compadre. Come on!
Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true.
Little hand says it’s time to rock and roll; send me out to Tofino next week, Julie, and I’ll see you in the Green Room…
Surfing’s the source, Julie….swear to God.
Amber Turnau
on October 23rd, 2009OK…have to admit…Alicia had a great poem and deserves the prize! have fun
Can you have more sweet prizes!?!?!
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on October 23rd, 2009Oh, Amber, you are a gracious loser and for that I promise: yes! There will be more sweet prizes! Stay tuned…
Alicia Fairclough
on October 24th, 2009Thanks so much Amber
I can’t wait!
Alicia Fairclough
on November 1st, 2009The Tofino trip was absolutely fantastic! I really can’t thank everyone involved enough…
The Chesterman Beach B&B is stunning & we ate so much everywhere we went I will be full for a week!
I thought I would share the food highlights for the foodies
Long Beach Lodge: Brilliant view of the old Water Classic, great service, awesome cocktails & the mussels were delicious.
Shelter: Very cool atmosphere and great menu! Yam fries, salad, crab, Yellow Thai Seafood Curry was brilliant and Creme Brule/Choc Moose for desert was great. Highly recommending the French Kiss from the cocktail list
The Wikanninish Inn: I cannot say enough about how special this place is. Everything from the view to the decor’ to the service and of course the food is beyond perfection!
Thank you again for such a wonderful opportunity. It more than made up for my first visit to Tofino and I’ll definitely be going back!