WestCoast Triple Plank 2025 | Salmon, Community, and Culture
WestCoast Triple Plank 2025 | Send it for Salmon, Community, and Culture
By Natalie Langmann, Co-Producer of the Plank
The WestCoast Triple Plank, presented by Patagonia, isn’t just a comp—it’s a mindset. Fueled by spring snow, sea spray, and concrete, it’s a heartbeat of West Coast culture that keeps getting louder.
Marie-France Roy and I like to say Triple Plank isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a friend-raiser. And the truth? It’s both, and then some. A full-on celebration of people showing up, standing strong, and sending it—for each other, for the planet, and for the wild salmon that shaped this coastline long before boards, barrels, or Tofino Brewery brews (though we're sure glad those showed up too).
Marie’s legacy in snowboarding is undeniable—but it’s her environmental advocacy that defines Triple Plank. It’s where snow, skate, and surf meet conservation, culture, and connection. More than an event, it’s a movement.
Marie-France Roy & Natalie Langmann [o] Erin Hogue
When Šárka Pančochová told me, “Triple Plank changed my life,” it hit me—no fluff, just truth. Last year, she showed up unsure—about snowboarding, competing, and what was next in her career. But the vibe, the crew, the raw stoke reignited her passion. Since then: Queen of Corbet’s, first at R&D, podium at Natural Selection... and now, 2025 Triple Plank Trifecta Women’s champ.
Michael Hoy was a quiet force—smooth across all three disciplines, and this year, he took it. First place in the Men’s Trifecta. He outpaced Austen Sweetin, the Kearney brothers, and a stacked field of crushers. It wasn’t about hype—it was heart. When the crowd lifted him and body-surfed him through a sea of stoke, the Halibut Cowboys were blasting full-tilt psych-funk-surf-jazz. Hoy and Šárka’s wins lit up the masses—pure vibes, all-out energy, and easily the most chaotic send of the weekend.
Michael Hoy [o] Aga Iwanicka
Ben Bilocq is a machine. For the second year straight, he rolled in early and didn’t quit until the last shovel hit the ground. Alongside Quentin Charbonneau and JF Pelchat, he shaped out a dream session course: two jumps, a double-sided gap, and a quarterpipe that launched riders skyward—or straight into tricks off a YETI cooler. Yep, that was part of the build. Ben’s dedication doesn’t just shape terrain—it defines the event.
Ben Bilocq [o] Aga Iwanicka
This year, we introduced the JKWON Award in honour of the legendary Jeff Keenan. Jeff, Leanne, and Khyber have always been part of the Triple Plank—Jeff even once rode the slalom with baby Khyber strapped in. When Khyber took the mic (with a little help from his mom) and announced, “Ben Bilocq,” there probably wasn’t a dry eye at the Surf Junction Campground party venue. No one captures the spirit of Triple Plank more than Ben: humble, tireless, and all heart.
Ben & Khyber [o] Colin Wiseman
Quentin, 20 and in his second year competing, made the long drive out from Quebec last year with his dad, Olivier—who once encouraged a young Marie-France to compete. This year, Quentin was back, shaping the course and riding it like he owned it. His dedication on the shovel earned him an invite from Ben to help build at Brain Bowl. That’s how legacy moves—quietly, confidently, shovel by shovel.
Quentin [o] Corey Grandfield
Aari Howarth [o] Corey Grandfield
And the riding? Pure fire. Finn Finestone was the one to watch, spinning frontside, almost to a 540 but pulling it back to 360 over the hip. Kevin Sansalone turned back time with classic handplants off the YETI cooler, like it was 1999. Aari Howarth floated a clean front 5, cork 3, and sprayed style out of the QP like second nature. Ben Bilocq kept it timeless with fully tweaked methods—big, beautiful, undeniably his. Keaton McCallum soared with sky-high melons and massive methods. Jon Versteeg served up textbook Indy poke front 3s, while Austen Sweetin had the whole park watching as he linked front-to-back over the hip, method backside 180 into a switch method on the QP—distortion cutting through calm.
MFR brought pure power with her signature methods, riding alongside Šárka, Hana Beaman, Tara Hickey, Spencer O’Brien, and Maria Thomsen—who sent it all weekend with undeniable style.
Marie-France Roy [o] Aga Iwanicka
Oh, and Colin D Watt? He test-launched the big jump with a shirtless backie. Obviously.
Arbor boards were everywhere—whether from past wins or Arbor Team Manager Eddie Wall’s presence. The Korua crew showed up in force. But Tara Hickey riding the Gnu she won last year was a true Triple Plank moment. After landing on the podium in both snow and the Trifecta this year, she added another Mervin board to her quiver. The kicker? Until last year, she was riding a seven-year-old waxless snowboard. In 2024, she stood alongside Mary Rand, Šárka Pančochová, and tied with Hana Beaman. Tara’s story sums up the Plank: you don’t need big sponsors—just heart, talent, and good vibes.
Eddie Wall [o] Colin Wiseman
Seeing old Whistler pals Colin and Elisha Duncan show up to compete in the Trifecta—after years away from the mountains and fully immersed in Tofino surf life—was something special. This past winter, they brought their kids back to Mount Washington, sparking a new family stoke for snow. Elisha claimed 1st in women’s surf, Colin took 3rd in surf and 5th in the Trifecta—proof that you can trade seasons and still hold your edge. Their kids? When asked to choose between a vacation or Mount Washington passes next year, the answer was easy: mountain wins. That’s the heart of Triple Plank.
Maria Thomsen took second in the Trifecta—skate, surf, snow—just months after breaking her back. Her comeback lit the fire. Watching her skate was heavy—she brought power, style, and heart. She earned second behind Toby Theriault in skate, who's on another level. No excuses. Just grit. Another classic feel-good Triple Plank moment.
Maria Thomsen [o] Tim White
Julien Gagnon, Kyten Travis, and Rick McCrank rounded out the skate podium—but Jeremy Randall stole the show anyway, dropping a buzzer-beater frontside grind around Tuff City’s curve like it had nothing to prove.
Meanwhile, the next generation? Already charging.
Kayne Gaces (1st Trifecta) lit up Tuff City Skate Park, with Tao Currie close behind. In surf and skate, the girls from Ukee and Tofino threw down—shoutouts to Mavi Terhune and Westerly Wyton, both landing on the Trifecta podium. The boys brought the heat too, with standout surfing from Reef Smith, Fisher Green, AJ Pitaoulis (2nd Trifecta), and France’s Mika Turgeon. On snow, Tess Armstrong sent it off the YETI cooler through the course with full-style commitment. Twelve-year-old Odin Frail cracked the top 10 in men’s banked slalom, while long-time Planker Xavier Lamoureux locked in a close second.
Xavier Lamoureux & AJ Pitaoulis [o] Aga Iwanicka
Xavier Lamoureux [o] Colin Wiseman
YETI’s 767 Mobile Smoker rolled in from Texas and fed the masses. Hands down, the best BBQ of my life. Huge thanks to Austin Bogue, Mike Shelly, Ryan Schmidt, and Colton Farley. And to the YETI MVP’s behind the scenes? Jessi Markowitz and Emily “Smokey” Frazier. After handing out 250 custom YETI x Sarah King water bottles filled with BBQ breakfast wraps, Jessi ripped the course — she is fast. Smokey? Picked up her delayed gear from the airport, sprinted back, and still dropped into the banked slalom smiling. That’s the chaos. That’s the magic.
[o] Erin Hogue
At the heart of it all: Redd Fish Restoration Society. Tree planting, Cultural Night, community stewardship. Watching sunburned kids and adults ride waves and plant trees in one day—now that’s the win.
The impact? Huge.
Eva & Colin [o] Colin Wiseman
We raised over $30,000 for restoration efforts across the territories of the Tla-o-qui-aht, Ahousaht, and Hesquiaht Nations. From salmon habitat renewal to kelp restoration, youth education to reforestation, the ripple is real.
We also partnered with Mułaa, an Indigenous-led surf collective connecting youth to culture, and teamed up with Surfrider Pacific Rim to advocate for coastal protection.
Some call it a comp. We laugh.
Some call it a festival or a four-day event.
Most call it a marathon.
Everyone says it’s the place to be in the spring.
But it’s not a scene.
It’s a movement.
And this year?
It. Went. Off.
Triple Plank continues to grow, fueled by the support of brands, artists, filmers, photographers, and community builders who believe in the power of people, place, and purpose.
Presented by: @patagonia
Gold Sponsors: @yeti, @tofinobrewingco
Silver Sponsors: @surfjunctioncampground, @tofinoresortandmarina, @gozney, @arborsnowboards, @coalheadwear, @tourismtofino, @tourismucluelet, @buteinletlodge, @slowtide, @vans, @louvredesign, @finisterre, @beaverwax, @surftechusa, @nsp.canada, @acetrucks, @peppergrip, @nibzsnow, @libtechnologies, @libtechsurf, @landyachtz, @gnusnowboards, @sunbum, @korua_shapes, @districtoftofino, @reef
Bronze Sponsors: @jonessnowboards, @powellperalta, @arborskateboards, @karakorambc, @captainfinco, @nixon, @relicsurfshop, @lineseerpowsurf, @antisocialshop, @stormsurfshop, @skull_skates, @dakine, @gradientcoffeeco, @startlinetiming, @whiskeydocktrading, @catchsurf, @manerawatermen, @almagoodsco, @soliteboots, @wedrinkt, @indosole, @carveeyewearusa, @artaviskateboards, @mehrathon, @mehrathontrading, @puravida, @studioskateboards, @kindredsnow
Finn Finestone [o] Aga Iwanicka
Hana Beaman
[o] Aga Iwanicka
[o] Erin Hogue
Sofia Towers [o] Colin Wiseman
Austen Sweetin [o] Cory Grandfield
Kevin Sansalone [o] Aga Iwanicka
Spencer O'Brien [o] Colin Wiseman
Jon Versteeg [o] Colin Wiseman
Maria Thomsen [o] Aga Iwanicka
Marie-France Roy [o] Aga Iwanicka
Michael Hoy [o] Aga Iwanicka
Mulaa [o] Aga Iwanicka
Šárka Pančochová [o] Aga Iwanicka
Tara Ricignuolo [o] Aga Iwanicka
Zach Murray [o] Aga Iwanicka
Logan Short [o] Corey Grandfield
Austen Sweetin [o] Colin Wiseman
Ben Bilocq [o] Colin Wiseman
Colin Duncan [o] Colin Wiseman
Colin D. Watt [o] Colin Wiseman
[o] Colin Wiseman
Julien Gagnon [o] Colin Wiseman
Westerly Wyton [o] Colin Wiseman
