Though some of the waves may have lacked in size, you couldn't doubt that Montauk didn't provide for sheer scenery. The lighting, backdrop and white caps all made up for the smaller volume on wave control. Here are some shots I took on the final day of the Van's Joel Tudor Duct Tape Longboard Invitational. Bet you never thought New  York could be this gorgeous....

These are just some random images I caught while I was up in Montauk, New York for the Joel Tudor Duct Tape Longboard Invitational. There's no rhyme or reason or sequence to these shots, just thought they looked pretty cool. [caption id="attachment_1118" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Check out the crab that he scooped up."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1119" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="How bitchen does this look?"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1120" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Giving you the bird!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1121" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Yup, this is New York."][/caption]...

[caption id="attachment_1035" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="This bird just sat perched on that rock and never even flinched when the waves hit."][/caption] So here we get to the actual event. Day One. And I'll admit it, the wave conditions on that day were crap. Tiny little dribblers, if that. But when you're around a diverse group of eager, fun kids who make the best out of any situation, it's always a damn good time. Again, kudos to Vans and Joel Tudor for making it all happen. [caption id="attachment_1036" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Suiting up for the comp."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1037" align="alignnone" width="500" ...

[caption id="attachment_1012" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="The Surf Lodge in New York"][/caption] A lot of people don't often consider places like Montauk, New York for surf or skate. It may not have the scorching heat that's often related to the West Coast or the bigger waves that Hawaii is known for - definitions of sun & surf - but it's definitely a nice little niche to hang out at nonetheless. We found a cozy little gathering place at The Surf Lodge. A lot of the time, we were waiting for the winds and white caps to pick up the pace for the event to take off, but when things were at a lull, we just hung out; playing some ball, running around, etc. You know, stupid shit like that. Just cruising and not stressing. These pics, ...

[caption id="attachment_976" align="alignnone" width="333" caption="Vans Presents the Joel Tudor Duct Tape Longboard Invitational"][/caption] I was recently invited by Joel Tudor for his Vans Longboard Invitational in Montauk, New York. The little get-together was fun. There was a motley crew of us and we enjoyed the camaraderie and shenanigans. It wasn't the best of conditions on the first day of the contest but the second day pretty much made up for it. [caption id="attachment_977" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="It doesn't get any more classic than this."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_978" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Montauk Local"][/caption] The following is a pictorial storyline ...