Canada proudly had representation in Pismo Beach this past weekend as longboard talent Liv Stokes took on the Surfing For Hope Longboard Classic, held November 14–16. With some of North America’s strongest longboarders in the lineup, the event marked another important milestone for the 23-year-old rising Canadian standout. As she said on her instagram post (“so stoked to take runner up at the @wsl.qs…”) And Canada is stoked too!
Liv’s bond with surfing and her Canadian roots is profound. Born in California to a family with Canadian heritage, she enjoys dual citizenship and spent her childhood divided between surf adventures and summers in Muskoka. Her love for surfing ignited at an early age. After years of canoeing and kayaking in Ontario, her mother signed Liv and her sister up for surf lessons when they were just eight years old.
Liv instantly fell for the sport, swapping birthday celebrations for surfboards. Liv was determined to surf and since surfing has now entered her life it took a big part she was bound!
Now, that childhood enthusiasm has blossomed into a serious competitive journey. Liv is currently ranked 2nd in North America by the World Surf League and is gearing up for a significant qualifying event in May that could earn her a place on the WSL World Longboard Tour. Additionally, she will represent Canada at the ISA World Longboard Championships in April, where she just missed a podium finish last season.
Although longboarding was recently removed from the Olympic program, Liv remains undeterred. She is now setting her sights on the 2027 PanAmerican Games in Lima, Peru, determined to elevate Canadian longboarding to new heights.
Liv’s ties to Surf Canada also run deep in her family. Her late grandfather, John Stokes, who was instrumental in founding the Canadian National Surf Team, encouraged her mother to consider the idea of Liv surfing for Canada. Today, Liv honors his legacy each time she steps onto the competition stage. In addition to her surfing achievements, Liv is a proud graduate of UCLA and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Teaching, skillfully balancing her academic endeavors with elite-level competition.
Abroad, C. (2025, April 18). Surfing for Canada: Liv stokes rides the wave toward international competition<br>. Canadians Abroad of Southern California. https://www.canadiansabroad.com/blog-archive/surfing-for-canada-liv-stokes-rides-the-wave-toward-international-competitionÂ
