Review of the 2024 Banana Sundae competition

On Saturday, October 6th, the Banana Sundae made its grand return, a competition at Habitat 67, for surfers, by surfers.

Source : Ben Rochette

But before discussing the competition and the great atmosphere that prevailed, a bit of history is in order. "To know where we’re going, we must know where we come from." Who better to tell us about where we come from than the person who initiated this competition? So, we went to interview Martin Guay to learn more about this original idea and to go back to the origins of the competition, which started seventeen years ago.

💡A surf competition at Habitat 67

It all started in 2003, when Martin began surfing the wave at Habitat 67. Around the same time, he started shaping his own boards with his friend Rémi. Guava Surfboard was born!

In 2007, the idea of organizing a small special competition for the surfers of Habitat began to take shape. At that time, river surfing was emerging from obscurity, and major brands were promoting it. For Martin, organizing the Banana Sundae was a way to reclaim the spirit of the early days of river surfing.

💡But what is the spirit of the early days of river surfing in Montreal for Martin ?

For Martin, it’s primarily about fun, but also a desire to elevate the sport. When you hear him talk about his encounter with a surf champion from Costa Rica, who was attempting incredible maneuvers on the wave, or when you see his eyes light up as he recalls his Peruvian friend who taught him everything, you realize that Martin is a true lover of surfing. Beautiful surfing. Surfing that moves away from the conservationist mindset, which suggests avoiding risks because "it's so hard to stick to the wave, I don’t want to ruin it by attempting too steep turns." It’s surfing of trial and error, just like the creation of his boards. It’s surfing that doesn’t disregard the rules, but plays with them. It’s a surf in the spirit of Habitat 67: authentic, a bit "rough" around the edges, but sanded with love and finesse. 

💡And the Banana Sundae in all this ?

For the Sundae, since the competition took place on a Sunday, the "Sunday" part was a given. As for the Banana part, the legend thickens a little, and it’s said that Martin was wearing an Andy Warhol sweatshirt that day, featuring the famous yellow banana (the one from The Velvet Underground album cover). Andy + ice cream, and you get the Banana Sundae.

A river surf competition at Habitat 67 where surfers judge their peers... A competition for the community, by the community.

And raising the bar a little higher. Even though the atmosphere is meant to be friendly, the goal is to elevate the sport and help it grow. We want to see it be both inspiring and inspired. Watching other surfers do incredible things and thinking, "I can do that too." All of this in a relaxed, intimate setting. That’s what the Banana Sundae is all about.

💡2024 : and if we had a new banana ?

In 2008, in the second year, Olivier Barrette joined the adventure with Martin, and the duo organized three more editions of the Banana Sundae. A resounding success, but as life goes, the following editions never came to be.

Until the summer of 2024, when surfers of the new generation began challenging each other more and more on the wave. Here and there, the idea of a competition was mentioned, and why not a return of the famous "Banana Sundae." That was all it took for Olivier to reach out to Martin, and within less than a week, the Banana Sundae was reborn from its peel.

With a certain enthusiasm, Martin talks about this revival. Many of the surfers currently riding the wave are from the younger generation. Some didn’t even know it was possible to surf in Montreal back in 2011. Martin, Olivier, Geneviève, and even Thien and his brother Loc could now kindly spar with younger surfers and continue to fulfill the original wish: to elevate the sport.

💡The competition : saturday, octobre 6th 2024

The 2024 edition was therefore a success, with very positive feedback.

It took place exceptionally on Saturday due to the unpredictability of the wave and fluctuating water levels.

If the wave is good next year, we might see the competition return in the fall.

The forty competitors (24 men and 12 women) faced off from morning until sunset, all in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. 

Source : Ben Rochette

There was quite a bit of foot traffic, but the organizers’ goal was for the competition not to hinder others from surfing. A great spirit of cooperation developed among everyone, leaving all those present with wonderful memories.

Regarding the results :

For the women, Annie Carrier took third place, Geneviève secured second, and finally, Marie-Ève was the grand winner.

Source : Ben Rochette

As for the men, Olivier Barrette came in third, Javier took second, and Seb Chartrand emerged as the winner.

Source : Ben Rochette

A big congratulations again to all the organizers and participants for this wonderful early autumn event.

Source : Ben Rochette