The West Coast’s youth surf boom cascaded full-throttle across Cox Bay on June 15 as the Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic crushed its 11th annual appearance.
This year’s competitors' list hit triple digits with over 100 young surfers hitting the waves and ages split into divisions of 10 and Under, 14 and Under and 18 and Under.
Youth surfing coach Jay Rosene was all smiles as he watched the West Coast’s budding young talent surge from the beach.
“Whether they’re new, experienced, six or 14, we’re cheering for all of them the same way and everybody’s having the time of their life. The amount of prizes and giveaways and games going on at the beach, it’s just fantastic,” Rosene told the Westerly News. .
Rosene has been ecstatic to see a rapidly rising tide of local kids getting into the sport.
“These kids are out here everyday, out in the elements, getting fresh air and having good fun with their friends. They can’t do this anywhere else in the country. This is the mecca of surfing in Canada,” he said.
“The youth involvement in surfing out here on the West Coast has never been at a better point. It is growing by the day. I can’t put a number on it, but 10 years ago it was not like this. These kids are pushing and you see them at the beach everyday after school now…It’s so important to be outside, stay healthy and have a little healthy competition.”
He added that the Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic helps introduce young surfers to competition and increases their stoke on the sport.
“It gives them a challenge. Instead of just going out and surfing and sitting in the ocean waiting for whales to come by, they have to compete, they have to watch their surfing, they have to try to outdo each other and it’s just a really healthy way to get fit and have fun in the water,” he said.
“I want to say a big thank you to the Bruhwiler family for doing this year after year and putting on a great show. Regardless of conditions, they put on a fantastic show for these kids every year and these kids are so lucky to have them.”
Mavi Terhune won the events 10 and Under Girls division followed by Keani Terhune, Quinn Nuccio, Millie Greig, Emma Rodriguez and Ayana Nuccio.
Mavi Terhune also won the 14 and Under Girls division followed by Savannah LeFevre, Snow Parisi, Willow Hopkins, Feather MacDonald and Jade Rosene.
Jack Smith took the 10 and Under Boys top spot followed by Charlie Dyrchs, Theodore Schiaffino, Rufus Dyrchs, Sawyer Hopkins and Owen Davis.
Kye Sal bested the 14 and Under Boys division followed by Mica Greig, Dusty Bruhwiler, Kai Grigg, Sloan Zuck-Schmidt, Gus Chong and Eddie Dyrchs.
Shea Bruhwiler won the 18 and Under Boys division followed by Kye Sale, Kai Grigg, Dusty Bruhwiler, Clay Chiovitti and Mica Greig.
“I didn’t really get the waves I was hoping for, it was really small, but it feels good,” Bruhwiler told the Westerly after his podium celebration.
“Everyone was ripping, The conditions were super hard, but I was impressed by everyone surfing and it was a fun day watching everyone and surfing and it was super nice out.”
Bruhwiler has competed in every Kids Classic since the event’s inception and says he looks forward to it each year.
“It’s just different from all the other comps because everyone’s here to have fun and everyone just cheers each other on. It’s less competitive than the other comps. It’s just a fun day at the beach,” he said.
Ocea Green won the 18 and Under Girls division followed by Snow Parisi, Savannah LeFevre, Jade Rosene, Ella Grigg and Nika Sale.
Green told the Westerly that the day’s small waves made big scores tough to find, but offered an inviting seascape for groms to ride.
“It’s really, really hard to get waves when it’s so tiny and the wind was a little bit tricky, but it was perfect for all of the little kids because they felt comfortable enough to paddle out,” she said, adding she loves participating in the event each year.
“It gets all the kids in town out surfing and having fun together...It keeps them all excited on surfing and to inspire each other.”
Green has been surfing competitively since she was 9 years old and has been thrilled to watch the generation of girls behind her hitting their stride.
“It makes me really happy watching all the little girls coming up behind me,” she said.
“It’s getting really really good right now because there’s so many more people who are pushing all the little groms to go into the water and then they’re all pushing each other and the level’s just getting better and better.”
Green gave a special shout out to her mom after winning the U16 and U18 divisions at last month’s Rip Curl Nationals held on Mother’s Day and she didn’t skip a beat spreading the love to her dad after winning June 15’s Kids Classic event on Father’s Day.
“Happy Father’s Day to my Dad,” she beamed.
Tofino municipal councillor Sarah Sloman was volunteering at the event and told the Westerly she was delighted to see the enthusiastic and healthy participation..
“It encompasses everything of our one free recreation amenity,” she said. “Surfing is super important because it’s free and it’s always there. All you need is a wetsuit and a board. It’s just so healthy because, even if you’re not very good at it and you're just having fun, then you feel good and it’s good for mental health. Anybody of any age can do it.”
She added her two kids participated in the annual Kids Classic events before aging out and pointed to her daughter Jasmine who served as a judge at this year’s competition.
“What I thought was really great about it is it just gets them more into going out. It’s not about winning or losing, it makes them more interested in it and want to go out and play with their friends and have fun,” she said.
Catherine Bruhwiler has been stoked to see the growth of the beloved annual event she founded over a decade ago and told the Westerly that 2025’s may have been the best one yet.
“This event was really fantastic. I had quite a few people say that they thought it was the best one and I sort of agree,” she said. “I think the conditions had a lot to do with it. The sunshine obviously always makes a good day. It was really nice because the waves were quite small, which the bigger kids don’t love but they're really good at surfing small waves and they should be if they're going to be competitive surfers because you never know what you're going to get when you hit a contest; but it also made it super accessible for all the little kids to really be able to paddle out the back and showcase what they can do, so that was super cool.”
Being at the Classic’s helm has given Bruhwiler a front row seat to the progression of youth surfing on the West Coast and she’s been awed to see the rise in talent.
“The level of the kids obviously has risen a tremendous amount,” she said. “It’s a rising of the tides. It happens in every sport. Once somebody sees what’s possible, then it is possible.”
She pointed to successful local surfers like Olympian Sanoa Dempfle-Olin as pillars leading next generations by example and added increased numbers of participants has brought increased accessibility.
“When I grew up, we didn’t have boards in Tofino. There was nowhere to buy a board. There was nowhere to buy a wetsuit. They didn’t even make 5mm wetsuits for women at the time, let alone kids, until I was well into my 20’s,” she said. “I think our Canadian surf culture is growing too from the grassroots and from the outside. It just wasn’t a thing when I was a kid. There was a very fringe Canadian surf culture, but it’s becoming more mainstream so more people are doing it and that in itself pushes the levels.”
She added she’s happy to see the sport grow and hopes new surfers receive the same solid benefits she’s received from the waves.
“Joy and opportunity and different experiences and connection and exercise and time away from technology and time in the present moment, all those things it has offered me,” she said. “I am excited that there’s just more people that are going to have that be part of their lives. Any time we spend time in the presence, which surfing sort of forces you to do, of the present moment, outside and so attuned to nature, I think that’s good for us. I think it’s great and I think it makes the world a better place.”
She added the Kids Classic works to keep a relaxed, fun and chill vibe, steering away from the intimidating aspects of competition and does not charge an entrance fee to competitors.
“We want it to be a community-based event. We want people to participate and take ownership because it just makes a better connection for everyone and I think that’s so important,” she said. “I think it makes our community stronger.”
Bruhwiler assured the event will continue returning and encourages anyone with ideas on making it even better to pitch them forward.
“I really want people to feel like it’s their event too. It’s a super community event and, if people have ideas, the sky’s the limit,” she said. “It could always be better, so if people want to help make that happen, that’s always welcome.”
She added the event’s success would not be possible without a passionate group of volunteers willing to pitch in across the West Coast.
“I really want to mention how valuable the volunteers are. We couldn't do it without them. We had Renato Torres, Colin Duncan, who used to judge snowboarding, Mathea Olin and Kalum Bruhwiler—both our current National Surf Champions—as well as Beth Calkin on flags all day long in the judging tower. They are our absolute champions. And a special mention to the dads for coming out with the kids on Fathers Day!”
