Ventura surfer Dimitri Poulos captured a win at the Rincon Classic this past weekend, emerging on top of a deep field that included past event winners and current and former Championship Tour competitors.
The long-running contest was held at Rincon Point, one of California’s most iconic surf breaks. Known for its long, winding right-hand waves, Rincon rewards patience, positioning, and technical precision, making it a venue where experience and wave knowledge often play a decisive role. Unlike shorter beach breaks that can reward quick, high-risk maneuvers or opportunistic sections, Rincon often favors surfers who can link turns smoothly over extended rides and manage each section with control.
“For people who live in our area, the Rincon Classic feels like a pretty prestigious event,” Poulos said. “Everyone in it rips really hard and is good out at Rincon, so it felt good to be able to come out on top.”
The Rincon Classic has been part of California surf culture for decades and is widely regarded as one of the state’s most respected surf competitions. Generations of surfers from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties have grown up measuring themselves against Rincon’s long walls, and the event has become a fixture on the regional contest calendar. Its reputation has endured because the wave itself demands authenticity — strong rail work, patience, and the ability to read a section from start to finish…