ESM

Kevin "Kev-Mo" Morris -- Nellie

•In ESMAlways Right video news, our partner in celluloid crime on this East Cosa Nostra Production, Mike "Nellie" Nelson, scored firing footage of late-summer Fiji with an Oakley Eyewear "Core Accounts" crew. Those included in this band of select Big 'O movers and shakers were Northeast rep/ ripper Joe Matta, Heritage Surf and Sport teamer and ESM 8th Street Jetty Kingpin Kevin "Kev-Mo" Morris, Island Water Sports' Mark Mertens, Quiet Flight's Jim Liesure, and South Carolina shaper supreme Kelly Richards, among others. Nellie also recently captured the bombing 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season action that buffeted the shores of his beloved Long Island, NY, as well as the Outer Banks, NC--during both the Unsound Pro and the Outer Banks Pro Presented by WRV. Think this guy is holding, or what? And that's just the beginning, folks. When Always Right hits a surf shop near you next year, we promise it will be one of the most stacked, action-packed East Coast vids ever made with contributions from our coast's top filmers--and, of course, ESM in-house offerings from Doogs, Mez, and Assistant Photo Editor Mark Hill.

•Narragansett, RI's, Peter Pan just released a new Bic Sport surfboard model onto the international market: the Bic 5'10" Fish. This is the second model designed for Bic Sport by Pan--his first being the 8'4" Magnum. Pan has also shaped several other signature models for Hobie Surfboards. For further information about his quality sticks, go to either www.hobie.com, www.surftech.com, or www.bicsportsurfboards.com.

Peter Pan Power Driving His New Bic -- McGovern

•After a 17-year hiatus, Newport, RI's, Sid "The Package" Abruzzi's band Big World is back in black. Check out the crew's new website at www.bigworldband.com--where you'll find contact info, tour dates, and authentic merchandise (including Big World's self-released album Happy Birthday). The boys also ripped a solid set at this year's Warped Tour, making an appearance on the Volcom stage in Gillette Stadium, MA.

•Round Three of the ESA Cape Cod Open was held on September 11th at White Crest Beach in Wellfleet, MA. Contestants from all over New England enjoyed waist to chest-high hurricane surf--and according to Southern New England ESA District Director Marc Angelillo, the Cape locals took over 50-percent of the first-place spots. Big winners included: John Ryan, Luke Ryan, Doug Stearns, Eric Anderson, Brandon Silva, Adam Laura, Emily Cunningham, Mercy Reed, and Steve Hassett--while the Team trophy went to Pump House of Orleans, MA. The event was happily sponsored by DaKine Hawaii, Smith Sport Optics, Das Gear, and host shop, Board Stiff Surf & Skate, from Provincetown, MA.

•In more Mass news, Hanover, MA, ripper Dan Hassett is trading fall hurricane juice at his favorite New England breaks for the first WNW swells of the season on Oahu's North Shore as a student at the University of Hawaii. A rider for Time Bomb Surfboards, Body Glove, and DaKine--word has it that Dan already jammed himself into a few overhead Pipeline bombs. Hopefully, he'll squeeze himself into a few classes, as well. Best of luck out there on The Rock, Dan.

Bill Woodward -- Lamkin/ Red Bull

•Vermont fixture Nick LaVecchia let us know he recently designed, cover to cover, a new Northeastern adventure sports magazine titled N'east. The pub covers surfing, snowboarding, climbing, kayaking, kiteboarding, cycling, and more. For a preview, check out N'east's website at www.neastmagazine.com. Also, peep some of Nick's truly stunning photographic works at www.nicklavecchia.com.

•Rye Airfield Skatepark in Rye, NH, held their 2nd annual Silent Auction on October 2nd. The evening auction included special events like skateboard, bike, and inline lessons and an abundance of door prizes. Like the 2003 event, businesses of all kinds contributed--including Wilson Travel, The Sea Dogs, Quest Spinal Health Center, 5boro Skateboards, 99 Restaurant, and Timberland. Last year's event made a substantial donation to benefit juvenile diabetes--while this year's bank went to the Rye Airfield Scholarship Fund, which will award three academic scholarships for the school year ending in June 2005. For more information, visit www.ryeairfield.com.

•New York-based lensman and ESM Senior Photographer Grant Myrdal secured another solo gallery show at the prestigious Belenky Gallery in Manhattan, NY. The exhibit, like his first which went down approximately two years ago, is already garnering rave reviews--and is titled Makia, which in Hawaiian means "energy flows wherever your attention goes." It's on display through December, 2004, at Belenky: 151 Wooster Street, SoHo, NY. Don't miss out if you know what's good for you. For more details on the show, call the gallery at 212-674-4242 or visit www.belenky.com. And to check out some of Grant's amazing work online, go to www.snorus.com.

Bob Johnson Feeling 13 Again with ESM Girl Jennifer Sterger -- Mez

•The Red Bull Ice Break Maine Qualifier took place on September 24th at Ogunquit Rivermouth, in Ogunquit, ME, stoked to the max with overhead groundswell from Hurricane Karl. 2003 Ice Break Champ Zev Gartner bagged the first-place title and will once again move on to the Main Event this winter in Nova Scotia--along with other qualifier finalists like Nick Copeland, Dillon Murphy, Greg Levy, and Bill Woodward. Stay tuned for extensive coverage of the 2005 Red Bull Ice Break in the pages of ESM.

•In coordination with Hull, MA's, Wear and Tear Surf Shop and the Eastern Surfing Association, the 2nd annual Surfrider Foundation New England Team Challenge went off this October. Fourteen teams participated in this year's event, which also included a skimboarding comp, a meticulous trash pickup on the beach, and a massively mouthwatering cookout for all participants. Team Cape Cod edged out the University of New Hampshire squad by less than one point for the title--while Levitate Surf Shop and The Surfrider Foundation team placed high, as well. Big thanks goes out to everyone involved, especially Carol Tobian and Liz Fuller from Surfrider, Peter Pan from ESA, and Christian Krahforst from the town of Hull, MA, for their organizing efforts. And in an added Wear & Tear shoutout, the shop recently overhauled their website, so check it out at www.wear-tear.com.

•In other contest news, the 4th annual Ivy League Surf Competition blew up at Narragansett Town Beach, in Narragansett, RI, this fall. In this year's battle of boards and brains, Princeton University took first-place, Harvard University took second place, and Yale University came in at third.

•ESM and the central East Coast of Florida had more than a few "September surprises" with visits by twin she-devils, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. But the Space Coast also received a pleasant surprise when one of our top Northeastern shooters, Bob Johnson from Rhode Island, showed up at our booth at the Orlando Surf Expo to hang with the whole crew, show off some of his most recent shots, talk shop, and swill fine malt beverages. As his reward, Bob received the warmest of welcomes--and an autograph--from the shapely and oh-so-sweet ESM Girl Jennifer Sterger from this year's Surf Art issue (Vol.13, #96). Good thing you were holding that mag on your lap there, Bobby Boy. Compiled by Mike Fish

MA BLAHS

Ballin' Wallin -- Mez

•Leading off this issue's info-packed Mid-Atlantic Blahs, ESM would first like to apologize to Tom Brown of 17th Street Surf Shop/ Pride Surfboardsfor inadvertently not propping his company for footing the bill for our two-week trip to Middle Earth with teamers Carl Wallin, Lucas Rogers, ErikSchub, and Steve Owens, which we featured in a lavish, 12-page spread, as well as on our cover, of last ish's World Travel edition. In our haste to finish the 184-page beast, find plywood to board up our office and homes, evacuate, stock up on non-perishables, gas the cars, get cash and enough beer to last through a possible one-week-long "dry curfew," and head to safer ground just two days before getting slammed by Hurricane Frances, a few things fell through the cracks and, unfortunately, this was one of them. So sorry, and thanks, to Mr. Brown for having faith enough to throw down massive pesos for that trip. And if you missed the mag, you can still go to www.easternsurf.com to read the entire story and peep the massive, 80-image Middle Earth photo gallery posted for your viewing pleasure and brought to you by 17th Street/ Pride Surfboards. And keep those same peeps peeled for the video footage of this trip in ESM's upcoming DVD, Always Right, an East Cosa Nostra Production.

•Also falling through the Hurricane Frances crack, so to speak, was the next victim of a Cat-2 typo, our good friend and ace freelance shooter (formerly of Surfer Magazine Photo Ed fame) Jason "Blurry" Murray, or more to the point, his new website addy which we failed to include in our very warm and wet Blah-job on Murr-Dog last issue. Now what good is an ESM Blah-job without a happy ending, we ask you? So a big "so sorry" to our man J. And you must check out his work at www.photomurray.com (as well as www.aframephoto.com) and get your mitts on the latest edition of Water Magazine for a gargantuan portfolio of his many A+ images aptly titled "Photo Guy From Jersey."

•Pride Surfboards is proud to announce the newest additions to their team, pro longboarder Ryan Gay and Lindsey Bowman, the 15-year-old wahine threat who won titles at both this summer's American Surfing Championships and East Coast Surfing Championships.

Lindsey Bowman -- Cyclops

•Our best goes out to Mike and Jenni Malion, who were married at Bald Head Island, SC, on October 16th. Mike and Jenni are the owners of Island Kite and Surf in Carolina Beach, NC, so if you're in that area, stop by and offer your congrats.

•Jersey-based Surfmore XM/ The Walker Project sales rep Joe Humenik recently added SMP America and Jetpilot Wetsuits to his list of lines in the Northeast region. He also wants to stress that Walker Surfboards are now available at the Beach House in Bayhead, NJ, and Revolution Boardroom in Red Bank, NJ.

•Atlantic Beach, NC, surfer Micky Hooks has been living in Hawaii for the past two years working with his uncle Dock Hooks on his new surfboard lock company, called DOCKsLOCKs, a durable, yet board-friendly single cable system that has the ability to lock multiple surfboards, but requires no key and has a resettable combination. It's the tits, for sure, so go to www.dockslocks.com for more info.

•All you spongeheads out there really need to get up with Outer Banks pro bodyboarder Ryan Rhodes to find out about all the new comps on the horizon. The boogie gods already have the Royale Classic 2004 Morey Boogie WHYFIVEOH (Y5O) Contest blessed for October 23rd-24th at a yet-to-be-determined Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills shorebreak. It's open to all and a cash purse is available for the taking. You can enter by e-mailing why5oh@hotmail.com. Meanwhile, the ABA (Atlantic Bodyboard Association) is running a bunch of events this fall, so again--get up with Rhodes if you're interested. You can e-mail him at KdhKid@mail2anything.com. Boogie on, gents!

Jon Coen -- Coen

•There's a heavy new band coming out of New Jersey called Versus The Cube. You might have heard them on the video TVS3: The Infection, which we reviewed in our June issue's (Vol.13, #97) Eargasm. Some of the venues they've been known to play include the Ocean City Music Pier, The Quarterdeck, and The Stone Pony.

•In other New Jersey blahs, log on to www.jettylife.com. That's all we're gonna say about that now, because the associated Jetty is a full-on clothing and accessories company. Get the full scoop online.

•The Southern North Carolina surf community throws big shakas to Jimmy Mendillo, Oakley's Mid-Atlantic surf-specific rep. Jimmy won the Men's Shortboard division at the ECSC, and his extremely underexposed teamrider from Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Jesse McCrery, went on to win the hotly contested Open Shortboard final.

•Dawn Grey, one of the artists featured in our second annual Surf Art Issue (Vol.13, #96) has a new website up and running at www.reddawndesigns.com. It's naturally loaded with samples of her work, some cool lifestyle pics taken around the Outer Banks, and several surf-related links.

•In Maryland deets, big ups to Ted Smith for winning the heated Open Shortboard final at the Maryland State Surfing Championships. Ted won 200 bucks for his efforts, donated by the Rodeway Inn Oceanfront at 29th Street in Ocean City, MD, but that wasn't the big prize. The surf was overhead and stormy thanks to Frances' Mid-Atlantic continental departure, so the victory was truly hard-fought and, subsequently, sweeter than ever.

•In associated Maryland blahs, top ESA-MD competitor/ photographer Art Baltrotsky would like everyone to visit the following link: www.tumblingmonkeys.com/deadturtle. Apparently, a six-foot leatherback sea turtle, an endangered species that was killed by a commercial fishing buoy line, washed up on the beach at 47th Street in early September. The ESA immediately called the Maryland DNR to dispatch a Town of Ocean City back hoe to recover the turtle so that it could be inspected by a team from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Art's site features all the photos he took of the giant reptile.

Jesse McCrery -- Courtesy McCrery

•Adam Warden of AJW Surfboards would like to be the first to congratulate teamrider Slater Powell, who won the Men's division at this year's ESA Championships. Other than AJW Surfboards, though, for some reason the Crystal Coaster currently has no sponsors. And that makes no sense because this kid frickin' rips. So somebody out there better get wise and hook him up.

•ESM Assignment Writer Jon Coen handled all the writing and research for the O'Neill Belmar Pro's event program, a beautiful, full-color, glossy 28-page presentation that includes awesome action and lifestyle photos from some of the East Coast's top lensmen, including Tom Spader, Ann Donato-Coen, Jack Ryan, and of course, our very own Tom Dugan and Dick Meseroll.

•Aaron Chang teamer Nigel Haynes is now handling the Mid-Atlantic repping duties for FCS Fin Control Systems. Give the Outer Banker a call at 252-305-5353 for all the dillyo on FCS.

•Denis Doric, a student at the University of Richmond, just formed the first-ever Richmond Surf/ Skate/ Snow Club, consisting of 80 kids so far. However, while the club is fully recognized by the university, they can't get funding directly from the school. Denis is currently looking to Vah Beach's surf shops for sponsorship, but any additional help would be greatly appreciated. Call him at 703-470-6776 if you can lend the club a few bucks. Hey, at the very least they might be able to buy a keg and a couple surf videos for those Friday night "meetings."

•And finally, our most heartfelt blessings and warmest congrats go out to new parents Noah and Corissa Snyder, who on September 29th welcomed their first child into the world, 7 pound, 13 ounce Ezra Snyder. Since Ezra is reported to have inherited his papa's giant feet, he'll be one to watch once he takes to the Big Wet. Speaking of which, diaper duties seemed to have transformed Noah, as he scored the highest single wave score of the day, an 8.75, in the first round of the Outer Banks Pro Presented by WRV--even taking the lead away from virtual shoe-in for the 2005 WCT, Chris Ward! Noah went on to top Wardo again the very next heat. So who's your daddy, Wardo? Compiled by Matt Pruett

SE BLAHS

Rochelle Ballard and the O'Neill Camp Girls -- Courtesy O'Neill

•An incredible turnout of 89 budding wahines graced Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach, FL, on Saturday, August 21st for the O'Neill Rochelle Ballard Surf Camp in conjunction with Ron Jon's Surf Shop. Ballard joined revered Brevard County teamriders Brenda Fried and Ashley Francis to inspire and instruct the many young ladies on a variety of subjects. Craig Carroll and the O'Neill team gave a clinic in a user-friendly, one to two-foot swell before taking the chickies through an intense training regimen consisting of a strenuous obstacle course each camper had to complete four times! Personal trainer and martial arts instructor Dan Miller then added some words of wisdom on self-defense, while Ballard talked about technique and drive. ASP-WCT judge Jeff Klugel also stepped up to speak about competition, while Bikram yoga instructor Brenda Fried spoke about discipline, direction, and self-esteem. Proceeds from the event went to Island Water Sports and Boarding for Breast Cancer. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and see you all next year. For more information, go to www.oneill.com.

•AJ Neste (our talented newest contributing photographer whose dad Tony Neste is one of Sports Illustrated's most illustrious shooters ever, joined Sharkinetics vid wiz Matt Katsolis and Aaron Chang Clothing's newest star rider, Will Tant, on their summer trip to Big Sur, where they sampled mysto spots galore. Expect to see some of Neste's killer images in a future installment of ESM's Traveler's Notebook.

•Ormond Beach, FL-based T&C Surfboards teamer Tyler Crawford won both the 14 & Under and 16 & Under Boys divisions at the Rip Curl Grom Search in Satellite Beach, FL, and also placed a prestigious 2nd at the Huntington Beach contest, qualifying him for the national event. Tyler's also the current ESA-NCFL District Boys champion, the OP Scholastics Boys champ, and the Jax Beach Wavemasters Boys champ, so it's not an overstatement to say this lil' dude's on a roll. Look out!

•In South Carolina Blahs, the McKevlin's Surf Shop crew graciously sent us a copy of the newest edition of their free newsletter, Lines, and it's got some pretty engaging content--everything from team talk and travel tips to magazine and video reviews, not to mention extensive articles dealing with surfboard technology; for instance, a piece on AST's DHP (Durable High Performance) Resin penned by Mark Gasque; one on Futures Fins by Ian A. Riggs; and a story on rail design by Rich Harbour. If you find yourself in or around Folly Beach, stop by the shop and pick up a copy.

•Those living in the Central Florida area might have seen a demo CD floating around titled Political Surfer, which features original music by former Melbourne Beach surfer Bob Inglis, better known as Tucsan Bob, and it's one hell of a jam. Check it out if you can find one.

•Out of Ocala, FL, 16-year-old surfer DJ Kane officially started his own homegrown shaping business under the label DK Surfboards, and is doing everything himself from shaping to sanding to glassing. The local newspaper wrote a piece on DJ's craftsmanship, as well as his high school wrestling accomplishments. Log on to www.starbanner.com for the whole story, or better yet, visit DJ's website, www.dksurfboards.com.

Will Tant -- Neste

•The Hobgood twins guest starred on an episode of the (incredibly weak) FOX television series North Shore this summer. But luckily, they got to play themselves, so the lame Hollyweird, dude-man-bro-brahski dialogue is probably cut to a minimum to maintain some level of authenticity. The episode is entitled "Ties That Bind" so try and catch a rerun if you can.

•Big ups to former Brevardian-turned-Cali corpo dude Damon George, who was promoted to brand manager of Creatures of Leisure. Damon brings a lifetime of hands-on experience in the surf accessories market, working in the past with Rusty Clothing, Dragon Sunglasses, and most recently, as marketing and sales director at On A Mission. In other words, the guy knows his shit. In related matters, former Creatures of Leisure teamrider Darren Muschett from Rincon, Puerto Rico, just joined the H2O Surf Projects squad. Check out the company's website at www.h2oSurf.com.

•Ambiguous Clothing just added Deerfield Beach, FL, threat Cappy Cheshier to the team.

•Groove Tube rider Danny Cruden returned from a 70-day missionary/ surf trip in Nicaragua, where he scored heaps of sick waves along with some beneficial spiritual healing. He'll be heading to Australia on January 15th to attend the Christian City Church School Ministry, located near Oz's north beaches.

•Everyone needs to get online right now and check out www.thompsontribe.com, which highlights the North Florida-based Thompson brothers--Cody, Trey, Evan, and Tristan. It's loaded with the rippers' stats, as well as photos and video clips.

"Yo Brah, I Got the 'Goods." Courtesy: Fox

•Inventor Kevin Roberts just developed a new technology called the Surf Ring, a 12-acre surfpark concept based upon a round wave generator in a circular pool, creating continuous swells that allow 40 or more waves to be produced simultaneously and continuously. The first park is set to open around the Daytona Beach area, but the technology can be utilized anywhere. Contact The Mesa Group's Christopher Simcox at 386-322-8354 or e-mail chris_simcox@bellsouth.net for editorial or investment information.

•Drew Campbell, founder of the nonprofit Get A Board Foundation, plans on taking a number of inner city youths from Orlando and teaching them to surf in Cocoa Beach. Their motto is "Positively influence at-risk youth through extreme sports and artistic expression." Sounds like a worthwhile cause to us. To get involved, call Drew at 407-970-2305.

•Ryan Clapper, who runs a website out of St. Petersburg, FL, called www.gulfster.com, reported a whopping 9000 users a day for 58,000 total daily hits during the Hurricane Charley swell on the Gulf Coast. Normally, www.gulfster.com claims 3000 users totaling 19,000 hits a day even when it's been flat for weeks on end! Clapper's site has been up and running on the web since July 2002, covering Gulf Coast surfing with a daily pic twice a day, photos, video clips, and a daily surf/ skim report. So the next time there's a storm in the house, make sure to give www.gulfster.com a click.

Melissa Guthrie -- Terry

•Sebastian Inlet wahine Marissa Guthrie just got hooked up with the Girls4sport surf team. Marissa also ended the 2003-2004 school year at Sebastian High with a 4.0 grade point average and led her varsity softball team to the district finals as a freshmen pitcher. This girl is hot and getting hotter, so keep in eye out for her.

•Danielle Zirkelbach reports that St. Augustine, FL, surfers Scott Marvin and Scott Spinale just returned home from a killer trip to Panama thanks to the cool people at Rio Mar Surf Camp. You can check them out at www.riomarsurf.com, or give them a call at 507-240-9128. You won't regret it.

•We made an error in last issue's tragic Blah Blah concerning New Smyrna Beach, FL, surfer Todd Towers' early-August death. Todd passed on following a helicopter crash, not a plane crash. Big apologies to the widow, Lauren, who corrected us. In happier Towers family affairs, nine-year-old son Stone is absolutely destroying the Volusia lineups lately, according to Volcom Marketing and Promotions Manager Daniel Terry. Look for photographic evidence of this young shredder's skills soon, right here in the pages of Eastern Surf.

•After his tireless, decade-long efforts in giving the company a distinguished East Coast presence, X-Trak Marketing Director, National Sales Manager, and Team Captain Matt Kechele has left that gig. Kech still looks forward to new opportunities, though, as he continues to work as Quiksilver's East Coast Core Surf Promotions Director, all the while (as always) manufacturing Matt Kechele and All Rail Surfboards.

•North Florida brothers Jay and John Dodson escaped the Florida heat for a few weeks with a late-summer charge to Puerto Escondido, where they scored more pipes than a pub crawl in Halifax.

•If something smells fishy, chances are it's Eastern Surf Assignment Writer and Chief Environmental Lobbyist Terry Gibson. Terry was just appointed to the South Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council's Habitat Advisory Panel as the recreational fishing representative. Yep, our waters feel cleaner already. Compiled by Matt Pruett

MFE BLAHS

Matt Oberman -- Hill

•We did the chat-and-chug with Deerfield Beach, FL, ripper Matt Oberman and his surf artist buddy Chris Agardy at this September's Orlando Surf Expo, and good times abounded. Oberman was in an especially good mood after getting picked up by JC Surfboards and Futures Fins. A couple weeks after the show, Oberman reported the evening of Saturday, September 25th at 2nd Street in Pompano Beach was the best surf he's ever seen in South Florida. "The funny thing is," he reported, "that the 60 guys who were congesting the head-high peak all left before it started to fire--four-foot-overhead barrels for two hours--with only 10 guys on it, including Kenny Keating, Cappy Cheshier, Chris Rubin, Casey Coote, Dimitri Kjos, and myself. A session we'll never forget." Speaking of Matt, his roommate Ricco Luppino, a manager at Island Water Sports, is currently writing his thesis at Florida Atlantic University, and will soon graduate with a Masters degree in Communication. Excellent job, Ricco.

•ESM Editor Matt Pruett was delighted to receive a surprise e-mail from lifelong Kill Devil Hills, NC, surf buddy Jason Breiholz, an esteemed teacher and wrestling coach at the new First Flight High School. As if "Jay-Bay" wasn't spread thin enough, he started a surf club open to all FFHS students, and has projects galore planned for members. To prove he's the perfect chaperone, Breiholz promptly entered the Outer Banks Pro Presented by WRV. For further info on the new FFHS Surf Club, drop him an e-mail at barney142@email.uophx.edu.

•Dominican Republic surfer Seth Gray stopped by the ESM booth at Surf Expo to tell us about his surf shop on the north coast of D.R., called La Costa Surfing Company, D.R. Feel free to e-mail him about shop haps at seth@lacostasurfing.com, or visit www.lacostasurfing.com.

•After he and his family made the move from Virginia Beach, VA, to wave-rich Frisco, NC, 14-year-old former Who Da Guy Morgan O'Connell was stoked to find himself on the Hatteras Island Boardsports team. Morgan made an immediate impact, taking a respectable 5th-place in the Boys division at this year's Easterns followed by a 2nd at the Neptune Festival Contest in Virginia.

•Talk to the hand. Karina Petroni just signed with Body Glove Clothing and Wetsuits.

The "Shreditor" Putting the "Wack" in Whack -- Mez

•Unfortunately, neither Quiet Flight or Whalebone were able to take top honors at the main event of the Quiksilver Surf Shop Challenge, held in conjunction with the Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Trestles, but Whaleboner Mike Schirmer reported that everyone had a blast ripping the Lowers walls. "I blew my double-whammy wave," he lamented. "I waited for my last one and caught the only closeout to ever come in at Lowers. Now everybody around here calls me the 'Closeout Kid.'" We didn't believe Mike was kooking that hard, so we went online and found excellent video footage of Schirmer, Pat McManus, David Awbrey, and Bryan Hewitson killing the QSSC on Surfer Magazine's website, www.surfermag.com.

•In another Whalebone shout-out, Melbourne Beach, FL, artist Damien Share sends thanks to Whalebone Surf Shop owner Jim "Biggie" Vaughn for taking the time to check up on Dam with an uplifting phone call during Hurricane Frances' peak--before Dam's pad was rendered uninhabitable by the ferocious storm.

Jim "Biggie" Vaughn -- Dugan

•A new series on the Outdoor Life Network, "Fearless," featured 6-time ASP World Champ Kelly Slater in its debut installment. The show documents amazing stories of courage, determination, and faith found in the hearts of ten unique individuals. Tune into OLN for air dates and programming schedules, or visit www.olntv.com.

•Surf Aid International proudly hosted the inaugural Wave of Compassion fundraising event in the Mentawais from October 9th-20th, as part of their mission to improve the health conditions for the impoverished people of the Mentawai Islands. Along with Surfer Magazine, FUEL Action Sports Television, and a group of world-class professional surfers, Surf Aid put together the ten-day benefit that included mind-blowing sessions in several perfect breaks, accommodations aboard Saraina Koat Mentawai's luxury surf charter boat, The Midas, and the privileged opportunity to experience the indigenous Mentawai culture while visiting the remote jungle villages. Involved surfers included Strider Wasilewski, Ben Bourgeois, David Rastovich, Keith Malloy, and Conan Hayes. Visit www.waveofcompassion.org and www.surfaidinternational.org for more on the endeavors.

•The people at Freebord, a skateboard that mirrors the motions of a snowboard on pavement, are getting great feedback lately, especially since they've established video clip links of devotees demonstrating the Freebord on their site, www.freebord.com.

•In other product news, Wave-finder's new site is up and running at www.wave-finder.com, and contains detailed spreads and media information for all Wave-finder books, as well as sexy surfing photos and animations. And if you're planning a trip to the Far East anytime soon, you can't do wrong by picking up a copy of the newest Wave-finder Indonesia, 288 pocket-sized pages featuring 75 color photos from six top lensmen and 250 maps.

•Liquid Element Surf Travel has week-long trips to Nicaragua available for next season. Book now while airfare is cheap. Call 866-738-5489 or go to www.liquidelementsurf.com for more.

•Longtime Virginia Beach, VA, shredda' Brian "Rude Dog" Braithwaite partnered up with fellow Old Dominion surfer Jason Szymanski to create a new company called Indo Designs, which imports photo albums, frames, and journals made from tropical organic materials. Check out their site at www.indodesigns.com.

•Our good friend Dave Settgast, owner of The Groove Tube, got perhaps the worst deal of all Brevard County residents this Tropical Season--losing both his shop's roof and his house's roof to Frances before getting pummeled again by Jeanne... and then losing up to $15,000 of inventory after The Groove Tube was looted by scumbags who deserve to be strung up by their nuts off the Sebastian Inlet channel marker. If you run into Dave, offer your sympathies. And if you happen to see or hear anything that might be related to the case, by all means please contact Dave or the Brevard County Sheriff's Department.

•A 32-year-old Lake Worth Pier local, Dean Holley, Jr. reports his three-year-old son, Christian Holley, is already training to be the next big thing from South Florida. Thanks, Dean. Keep us updated on Christian's achievements.

Michael Howard -- Shifi

•New Mid-Atlantic Ambiguous rep Cane Faircloth reported an A+ turnout for the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Machine's (MAMM) first event, the La Chupacabra at Dan Gato's in Nags Head, NC. Big thanks to Scott "Scum" Jordan for running the show, which featured live music by Four Learning, a local band fronted by Ambiguous teamer Brent McCoy.

•St. Petersburg, FL, surfer Ricky Roberts III sent us a copy of his new inspirational book, titled You, which features chapters on everything from setting goals and making sacrifices to appreciating life and maintaining focus. You can pick up a copy at various Barnes & Nobles and Borders locations.

•Mammoth props go out to Michael Howard, the 14-year-old Lake Mary, FL, honor student who graced our booth at Surf Expo to show us his goods. Michael produced a strong resume, as well as a disc full of good action pics at various Florida beachies and Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. Michael also gave us a sample DVD, to have a possible shot at being included in ESM's first-ever video, Always Right. He's currently ranked first in the 3A Boys Division of the ESA-North Central Florida District.

•Speaking of Always Right, once again, Team ESM's vid crew was Gulfside with "Always On It" Assistant Photo Ed Mark Hill filming Hurricane Ivan's drive-by at Twin Piers and Whitney Beach in Bradenton/ Anna Maria Island with Justin Ellingham, Sean Tubbs, Chris Maslow, Max Doucet, Shon "Dirt" Lassiter, James Jolly, Erik Ingeman, and Evan Miller, among others. A very special thanks to former Editor-turned-uber freelancer and longtime Gulf surfer Chris Towery, who acted as point man for the crew and got them to the best waves of the day.

•Longtime ESM friend and top East Coast shooter/ artiste Rachel "Raquel" Tanner recently returned from a trip to Thailand to find her mother's Vero Beach, FL, condo destroyed from Frances, and then condemned as a tear-down altogether after Jeanne's second, Cat-3 knockout punch. Not to fear, as Rach will return to her home in Rincon, Puerto Rico--with Mom in tow for the winter season after they straighten out their post-storm affairs--where Ms. Tanner will be firing away at visiting surfers and making custom photo prints available to all interested parties. If you want to arrange for photo sessions, or peep her diverse body of imagery online, check out her website at www.chantikphoto.com. Compiled by Matt Pruett

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