The Gathering 2011

 I got the press release from the good folks (Stacey Maier) at Rogue and it's happening all over again. The Gathering surf contest 2011 edition is coming up September 10 and 11 and registration is open now until August 31. Local shaper, Rogue Nation President, and enthusiastic beer drinker, Steve "Swany" Swan (check out our feature on him) is the man behind the contest, now in it's 9th year. His philosophy of life is: "One flag. One country. One fin. Anything beyond that, the hell with ya."

No surprise then that the contest is a longboard classic. Boards shorter than 9 feet won't be allowed, though you can probably get away with more than one fin (I've competed in the contest in the past with three fins on my 9' 0"). Just don't be surprised if Swany questions your sanity. When I asked him what his thoughts on having more than one fin on a longboard were, he reacted like I'd insulted his mother and had this to say: "That's stupid. That's just stupid. By virtue of its length, you don't need three fins on the board, you just need one. No. You're touching serious stuff there. No. Single fin."

None of this is to say that Swany's a mean guy, just a bit set in his ways. He's a living link to surfing's roots and one of the nicest guys you'll meet. He puts together a great group of Rogue employees and volunteers to make the event happen. There's no doubt that there will be plenty of delicious Rogue beer and other refreshments for sale on the beach and the word is that a custom-made longboard by Swany will once again be raffled off. It's sure to have throwback style in spades and have your mouth watering to paddle it out.   

The contest is held at South Beach in Newport, Oregon. Last year it was sunshine and good times with waist to shoulder high peelers (pics and words from the event). For full details on this year's event, click through to rogue.com. See you there.    

--Jens