A Weekend of Vintage Boards, Free Music and A Shaping Masterclass is Coming to Dana Point

You can (and should) catch the maestro Donald Brink shape a board from scratch at Salt Creek this weekend. <p>Photo: Jeremiah Klein</p>
You can (and should) catch the maestro Donald Brink shape a board from scratch at Salt Creek this weekend.

Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Vissla has long prided itself as a creative surf company, one that backs creatives and free thinkers, and those not afraid to express themselves in unorthodox ways. And nowhere is that ethos more manifested than the Cosmic Creek Surf Contest & Music Festival, happening June 1 and 2 at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

This weekend is the event’s 26th rendition. The two day event features a retro-board only contest and Saturday afternoon will have live music from The Soul Beacons and Grady Strange. A little green bonus—all of the festival’s infrastructure will be entirely battered by car batteries, thanks to support from the EV company Rivian.

Memorial Day weekend has got nothing on the Cosmic Creek Surf Contest & Music Festival. <p>Photo: Jeremiah Klein</p>
Memorial Day weekend has got nothing on the Cosmic Creek Surf Contest & Music Festival.

Photo: Jeremiah Klein

“I’m so stoked to have Vissla and all their amazing people partnering on this event. It’s been going strong for decades now, and there’s always something fun and different every year,” event creator Eric Diamond said in a news release. “I really have to thank everyone that works so hard and puts so much into this. It’s a labor of love for everyone and you can really see and feel that when you’re on the beach.”

Vissla is also hauling in a surfboard shaping trailer that will host live demos from renowned board builders Alex Lopez, Derrick Disney, Donald Brink and Tyler Warren. There’s also the Da Fin Bodysurfing Expression Session, where you can borrow a pair of fins and cool off in the water both days at noon. Last year, participants got to pick the brain of Mark Cunningham, widely considered the best bodysurfer of all time. No better person to get swimming tips from.

Retro boards, timeless fun. <p>Photo: Jeremiah Klein</p>
Retro boards, timeless fun.

Photo: Jeremiah Klein

As for the contest, there will be four divisions to watch: Locals, Creators & Innovators, Pros and Women. As an added twist, Vissla will supply original single and twin fins from the 1970s and ’80s that competitors will have to ride. In the Creators & Innovators division, shapers and surfers will be on self-shaped boards made in the style of the ‘70s and ‘80s equipment.

What's not to like?

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