Rincon (surfspot)

Rincon (Spanish, "angle" or "corner") is a surf spot located at the Ventura and Santa Barbara County line in Southern California, United States. Also known as the "Queen of the Coast", Rincon is one of the most famous surf spots in California, known around the world for its well-formed waves and long rides.[1][2] The book 100 Best Surf Spots in the World rates Rincon at 24.[3] It is best at low tide during the winter months when swells are coming mostly from the west and northwest. There is a gated residential community that occupies most of the Rincon beachfront. Public access is provided at parking lots on both sides of the gated community, with restrooms and a picnic area in the upper parking lot, Rincon Beach Park.[4]

Rincon Point is home to the Rincon Classic[5] surf championship scheduled for January each year. The championship draws local surf greats and spectators to the beach every year. Though scheduled for January, the event is often delayed until surf conditions merit a contest. Once these surf conditions are met the contest is held from Saturday through Sunday. There are multiple divisions ranging from the Legends (55+) to the gremlins (U12). There are nine divisions for the men, including the pro division, while there are 2 divisions for the women. The pro division mainly consists of local professional surfers including world surf league competitor Conner Coffin who competes in the contest almost every year. The contest is open to the public and local residents receive priority registration based on their county . During the contest local restaurants provide lunch for the competitors and also sell food to the public. These restaurants include Nutbelly and Rincon Brewery.[6]

  1. ^ Trnka, Holden (January 11, 2023). "Rincon, The Queen Of California's Coast, Is Currently In Shambles". Stab Mag. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Meyers, Jeff (March 8, 1992). "Pell-Mell IN THE Swell Surfing Traffic at World-Renowned Rincon Has Increased at a Rate That Alarms Locals and Threatens to Desecrate Site's Mystique". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ Sumpter, Ron (2004). 100 Best Surf Spots in the World. Globe Pequot. pp. 50–51. ISBN 0-7627-2598-2.
  4. ^ Rincon Beach Park Count of Santa Barbara Accessed 23 November 2014
  5. ^ Rincon Classic official website Accessed 23 November 2014
  6. ^ "Rincon Classic | 2020 Rincon Classic, Santa Barbara, California". www.rinconclassic.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.