You couldn't dream this shit up
It was a feel good story so potent it permeated the post-party slump in the Stab office. Twenty-six-year-old Tofino surfer, Peter Devries last week produced what must be close to the biggest upset in surfing history, winning the six-star prime Cold Water Classic, Canada. Coming into the event he had never won a WQS heat and had not a single rating point. Peter progressed all the way from the round of 144, beating Dusty Payne, Cory Lopez and world number 32 Jay Thompson on his way to victory. Here he recounts the day, the days after and what it’s like to hear your name read before the weather on Canada's national radio.
Stab: Describe for us your defining memory from the day?
Peter Devries: When the horn sounded, Noah Cohen and Ole Atky, both guys I grew up surfing everyday with, were the first two guys in the water to pick me up. They were chest deep in their clothes and carried me up the beach. My feet never touched the sand. I was waist deep in the water, then on the podium. There were people crying that didn’t even know me. I had teachers I was taught by in elementary school on the beach cheering me. There was so much energy on the beach it was insane. It’s such a small tight knit community and this was the biggest event Tofino has ever held.
Can you recount your passage to the water, as the final was about to begin?
I actually didn’t turn around and look at the crowd. I could hear them give me a cheer when I walked to the water but I was looking at the waves and just going surfing like I do everyday.
How many people live in Tofino?
About 2000. It’s a very tight knit community.
And how many were at the beach?
At least 1500. I’m not certain.
Tell us about the day?
It was windy, onshore and pretty big - a good chunky size. We woke up to sunshine, which was a bonus. Looking at the conditions I thought it was anyone’s. Glen Hall was going mad the entire contest but he couldn’t find the pocket in a couple of his waves. It’s hard to believe I won. I knew I could compete, I’ve watched them all surf and I knew I could win it. Bottle had a bit of shocker in the final.
The waves were pretty typical of a WQS contest, we'd say. That would seem to say you should be trudging around the world trying to qualify like every other sod?
Maybe that does say that. The one year I did the WQS back in 2006 I lost every single heat. For me, surfing has always been a work in progress. I always try to improve and do better. I’ve been focusing on little things. There are still things I can’t stand about my surfing. I still cringe when I see myself on video but I can’t tell you what makes me cringe because you’ll start looking at it. I felt so comfortable. Everyone surfs their best at home, right?
So the problem is mental with you, Peter?
You could say that. The mental side has a lot to do with every sport and surfing is no different.
Perhaps you should visit a sports shrink?
A sports psychologist? And take him on the road with me?
Well, Evan and Pat at Hurley are very kind men. And they both know surfing is a very intuitive sport heavily based heavily around confidence.
I don’t only feel comfortable in my home break. With a six star there are so many guys in the draw that could win it. Everyone is so close to the same level. So many things have to go your way to win an event. Those little things like being at home, having all my friends and family on the beach going crazy, helped a lot.
How was it walking around town after your victory?
Yesterday at midday I got a phone call that we were going to have the Olympic torch come through town and I got to run with it. I got a phone call at midday and they had a spot for me to go and run it. In the last week I’ve won a six star event, run with the Olympic torch and yesterday, went out of town to have an ultrasound on my five month impregnated baby. It’s been the best week of my life.
What do you do to celebrate when you win a six star prime event in Tofino?
The boys from Storm Surf Shop where I pretty much grew up surfing and working, and have ridden for forever got together at a restaurant with all my friends and family. Beer and champagne were flowing. That was at 3.30 in the afternoon and I was in bed by 9.30 pm.
What’s the local surf scene like?
Super cool and very mellow. It’s really new so there aren’t that many great surfers but there are a ton of newbies. It’s soft tops wall the wall on the beach in the summer. People come here to work in hospitality in the summer because of all the tourists. A lot of those people are surfers and you end up with about a quarter of the population who surfs. When I was growing up in my teens there were only twenty guys who were surfing year round. They’re all still around.
You must be the only Canadian to ever win a WQS?
I’m the only Canadian to ever compete on the WQS.
You’re a free surfer that specialises in cold water. Are there any frigid regions you are looking to explore?
It’s all something I have to sit down and figure out. I’ve got a little one on the way in March. I want to be here as much as possible for that. My girl and I were talking about only doing the cold-water classic next year. I love to travel and I love uncrowded waves. I will try to get on some trips to uncrowded interesting destinations. Right now it’s that time of year where everything comes together around here so I will be trying to get some footage and photos.
Have you had to subsidise your surfing with another job?
No I’ve been surfing for a living for a while now. The Canadian surf industry has boomed over the last five years and companies were making plenty of money.
Where were you ranked coming into the event?
I didn’t have any points. I was ranking nothing. I’m not gonna do any events after this because of that.
Has the Canadian media picked up the story?
It’s been crazy. With every heat I made it snowballed. I came out of the water after the round of 48 and there were five cameras and mikes being stuck in my face. I was out of town today and listening to the national radio and it says, “Peter Devries wins 20 000 dollars in the Cold Water Classic. Now to the weather.”
So are you doing the morning TV circuit and when can we expect the tell-all memoir?
(Laughter) Tell-all memoir, that would be hilarious but no I will not be doing that. I will hopefully be getting barrelled at a slab tomorrow. – Jed Smith
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Reply #8 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 19:10:03