Local Tofino surfer Peter Devries beat out a gathering of some of the best professional surfers in the world last year to be crowned champion at the inaugural . He had a good run this year, but fell short of the quarterfinals to eventual contest winner and former World Tour surfer Josh Kerr. I caught up with him after his loss to talk local knowledge, community support, and, of course, surfing.
What鈥檚 the mindset like going into a heat with a big name like Josh Kerr?
I just wanted to surf and not really think about his name or that he鈥檚 gonna do airs on every wave. I didn鈥檛 get to catch many waves; I just ended up sitting a lot. I鈥檓 disappointed I didn鈥檛 get more opportunities in, but that鈥檚 just the way it goes. Sometimes the ocean doesn鈥檛 cooperate.
Describe your run in the contest to me.
I felt pretty good throughout the contest, surfing pretty well. I was a little bit rushed on some waves but on other waves I put it together. It was hit or miss. My board鈥檚 feeling really good though, going fast.
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How鈥檚 the feel in Tofino this year?
The support from the beginning was greater this year. People were more into it from the start this year, whereas last year it was kind of building momentum as we went towards the final and everyone was out the final day. It was crazy here. Having all these guys come to town to surf the waves we see everyday is great.
Does being a local help?
Yeah, you鈥檝e got the support on the beach, which is huge and you know the waves. So it definitely helps out.
Were you feeling pressure from the win last year?
Maybe a little bit. There鈥檚 definitely more expectations. I wanted to put in a good performance. I wanted to make it to tomorrow, to the quarters. Josh is such a great surfer, anyone at this point in the contest can win. It鈥檚 really hard.
How is it going from free surfing to being in front of a crowd and being broadcast across the world on the webcast?
You鈥檙e trying to forget about it, but it鈥檚 always there. I don鈥檛 surf contests that often so it feels a little weird and a little different but it鈥檚 a lot of fun at the same time. It鈥檚 nice to have that pressure once in a while. When you鈥檙e freesurfing you can just try and go big. When you鈥檙e filming there鈥檚 pressure but when you fall it鈥檚 not a big deal. You can surf all day if you want.
–Will Taylor