- WSL
- WSL

The 2020 Longboard Tour is about the kick off this weekend with the Noosa Longboard Open, and there's some big news for all you fans of traditional longboard surfing: the one and only Joel Tudor is set to compete.

It was only last year at the Longboard Classic New York event that the grandmaster hinted that he was passing the torch to the next generation of loggers, but when you have waves as good as the right-hand points on offer at Noosa, it's not hard to see the appeal of getting back in the mix. Currently the forecast is for fun-size swell with favorable winds, perfect for for clean, traditional longboard surfing.

Joel Tudor of the United States advances directly to Round 2 of the 2019 New York Longboard Classic after winning Heat 1 of Round 1 on September 6, 2019 in Long Beach, New York. (Photo by Jackson Van Kirk/WSL via Getty Images) Joel Tudor - WSL / Jackson Van Kirk

Tudor has played an out-sized roll in the second coming of traditional longboarding. With a heavy emphasis on picking craft to suit the conditions, be that one foot San Onofre or big Pipeline, Tudor has kept the flame alive, inspired by legends such as his mentor, the late, great Donald Takayama, San Diego master Skip Frye and Australian pioneer Nat Young.

In New York, Tudor noted that he was competing to give his blessing to the new generation coming through, such as Kaniela Stewart, and to be a part of competitive longboarding during a watershed moment which has seen a greater emphasis placed on traditional maneuvers and style - in no small part thanks to his Duct Tape events. It could be Joel wants to continue in his OG godfather role while also snagging a few at First Point, Noosa.

Superheat Moments: Kaniela Stewart vs. Joel Tudor
2:06
The young talent from Hawaii advances over the 2x World Longboard champ in a special New York matchup.

The event is presented by the purveyors of some of the finest logs money can buy, Thomas Surfboards. You can bet more than a few of the competitors will have a Thomas under their feet, honed with the peeling waves of First Point in mind.

"[It's] the perfect testing ground for boards and surfers, it just gives the ability for anyone surfing the wave to really show off what they are capable of," says the man himself, Thomas Bexton.

Trailer: Noosa Longboard Open 2020
0:56
Get set for the world's best longboarders to hit one most iconic waves on the planet this February.

The waiting period for the event starts on Saturday, February 22nd. Stay tuned!

World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.