Conner Coffin emulating the King, Tom Curren. Photo: Josh Pomer
Tom Curren proves he is still the King, but the Prince of Rincon is ready to lead. Conner Coffin won first place at the 2015 Channel Islands Rincon Classic, running this past weekend.
The waves were perfect for three days. The only exception was some strong offshore winds that lasted for several hours on Saturday — the devil winds turned the glassy walls into something akin to Jeffrey’s Bay, but without the perfect tubes. In other words, it was hard to surf: spray blinded competitors, and riding the wave was akin to surfing uphill. But the wind calmed as soon as the reigning King, Tom Curren, paddled out to surf against the Prince, Conner Coffin, in what would be the highlight of the contest.
The King stood confident and aloof before the heat, while the Prince was charming and kind. Conner signed autographs for fans and smiled for photos as Tom, face hidden under a stylish cowboy hat, kept his surfboard hidden under a bulky bag. But the three-time world champion exuded an aura of invincibility that was so strong that nobody on the beach thought for even a second that his reign would be over. In fact, numerous claims from spectators likened Curren to a mythical creature who could manipulate weather and waves. And these whispers were easy to believe: as soon as the King’s big toe hit the water, the wind retreated like a dying man’s last breath.
Everyone’s attention turned towards the water as the heat started. The King rode Frankenstien-ian creation. The nose of the surfboard was missing and had been rounded out to make a what was once a clean 5’10” Channel Islands Surfboard into a backyard creation around five-feet tall. The Prince was eager to beat the King and prove himself worthy to townspeople. His airbrush was black rails made famous by Tom in the late nineties. But Conner proved too eager and his first wave showed poorly. The King cooly took off on an overhead wall and connected his dots: off the top, bottom turn, off the lip, bottom turn, and then a shocking carve that was so radical the cheering crowd gasped. Curren ripped the top off the wave so violently and changed direction so fast it seemed his surfboard was nitro-powered. Then the King re-connected with the wave and finished with a perfect karate chop carve that undoubtedly left Bruce Lee smiling down from heaven.
Curren throwing himself into a King’s carve. Photo: Josh Pomer
The Prince would strike back, his eager style mimicking the King while adding a little of his own flair, but it was never enough. The King stamped his dominance on the waves and without saying a word he left a clear message — his rule is far from over.
Powerful bottom turns put Curren in good position. Photo: Josh Pomer
Tom’s heat score would be the highest point total of the entire event.
However, the tide turned in the final rounds of the contest, and Curren looked like his interest had passed; Coffin went on to dominate the rest of the contest, with hard carves and powerful bottom turns. Conner won the contest, but it was clear that the crown still rest heavily on the King’s head. It seems the Prince still a few years of grooming until he can take his rightful spot atop the throne.
Congratulations to Conner Coffin, 2015 Channel Islands Rincon Classic Champion.
The flair of a champion. Photo: Josh Pomer
For full contest results, go to RinconClassic.com. And don’t forget to check out more films by Josh Pomer at JoshPomerMovies.com.
