Canada, unlike Australia or Hawaii, is not known for its sun and surf. But in Tofino, B.C., a town of 1,700 residents on the western edge of Vancouver Island, the sport is at the core of a recent tourism boom.

With the second annual O'Neill Cold Water Classic surf contest running in Tofino from October 9 - 15, the town played host to 100 of the world's top competitive surfers, including the home-town favourite and one of only a handful of Canadian professionals, Peter Devries.

Devries' success on the international stage is helping shine a spotlight on Tofino, attracting more visitors to town's picturesque beaches and drawing an ever growing number into the water to catch waves. Photographer Evan Mitsui captured this year's event.