ESM

Mark Anastas -- Ready

•Longtime Long Island, NY, standout and former Who Da Guy (and you better be a standout among standouts if you get that accolade) Chris Rempe touched base with a surprise batch of pics from his transplanted dominion in the Golden State. Rempe, a self-employed sprinkler designer who works from home in Santa Cruz and surfs almost every day, pointed out the obvious with the enclosed digi photos taken by local lensman Bob Island: NorCal was awash in swell this winter and Chris was putting his frontside prowess to good use at The Lane and numerous surrounding breaks. Always the go getter, the Aaron Chang/ Oakley/ FCS teamrider is already planning his summer trip back home during the peak of Hurricane Season to visit his pop Lenny and catch the East Coast prime time with his old crew, which includes favorite ESM photog Mike Nelson, Dave Juan and the Unsound team, to mention just a few. We were stoked to receive the words and the photos, Chris. And that goes for all you Right Coasters out there living abroad, as well. ESM always wants to hear from you--just 'cause you're not on the Eastside doesn't mean we'll forget about you. Not a chance, compadres. *Donald MacKenzie from East Orleans, MA, wrote in to pay tribute to Chris Svenningsen, Dave Szucs, and Jim Raftery, who all passed away in 2005. "All three were highly recognizable Cape Cod waveriders and integral to the local scene," MacKenzie said. ESM's heartfelt condolences go out to the Cape Cod waveriding community.

•Surfrider NYC Chapter was proud to hold March Meltdown 2006, which took place at the Knitting Factory on March 29th and benefitted the chapter's dedicated work in and around the urban beachscapes of the Big Apple. The fundraiser and membership drive featured a live performance by musician Peter Distefano, while there were plenty of giveaways to win goods from Surf Diva, Hobie, Patagonia and Outside Magazine. For more information on the event, visit www.surfrider.org/nyc.

•NYC indie sensation Slowlands recently cut their first album titled Never Was There A Town with visionary producer Shane Stonebeck. Give it a listen, buy the CD at www.slowlands.com, and look for a full review in a future installment of ESM's Eargasm department.

Tommy Bunger -- Brudi

•Canadian photographer Todd McLean let us know that we fudged the web address for his ultra cool photography site. Sorry Todd, let's try that again: it's at www.tmcleanphoto.tripod.com. Much better. Now, go have a look and we'll be sure to do the same.

•Looking to get in the water in the land of lobsters for the very first time? Tom Saulnier of Wheels 'n' Waves in Wells, ME, is ready to be your guide. Saulnier is certified for First Aid and CPR by the American Heart Association and is also on the road to accreditation by the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association (NSSIA). Visit www.mainesurflessons.com for lesson rates and to watch a slide show.

•A crowd of more than 100 viewers gathered at Central Long Island Surfrider Chapter's double feature movie night, which featured ESM's Always Right as well as Drawing Lines, in late March at the Boulton Center. Among those who attended were CLI Surfrider Chairman Joe Moses, Membership Coordinator Cari Beckerman and Secretary Rob Cullen. *More than 120 people showed up for Rhode Island photographers Chris Parker and Steve Melidossian's annual slide show this year at a favorite Ocean State watering hole. Along with a plethora of killer surf imagery, attendees enjoyed topnotch music by bands The Chasers and the Cobramatics. In more Rhodey news, Melidossian just returned from another photo shoot for the car magazine Ol Skool Rodz.

•Mark Anastas at Liquid Dreams Surf Shop in Ogunquit and York, ME, just launched a new website at www.liquiddreamssurf.com. The site features an all new reports page, with up-to-the-minute changes in swell, wind and tides--not to mention a wave cam and photo galleries that will be updated weekly. Also, www.liquiddreams.com will soon be offering online shopping for all your surfing needs.

•According to New York-based photog Robert Skorney--during the well-talked about, and by now talked-out, late-March swell that provided sweet, soothing salve for a few surfers from the Outer Banks to the Gulf of Maine--great waves rocked Rockaway Beach for two days straight with four to six-foot, glassy barrels. And by the looks of this photo of throated regularfooted local Keoni Singlehurst, March 26th was as tasty and memorable as a Nathan's hot dog with everything on it and an egg cream chase to wash it down. Mmmm-Mmmm good, Strong Island style.

Chris Rempe -- Bob Island

•As always, stay tuned to www.nesurfari.com for all the latest and greatest New England happenings online. Go to www.nesurfari.com for the scoop on Cape Coder Shaye Cavanaugh's recent Indo adventure, as well as links to a fresh longboarding gallery from local photographer Claire Hassett.

•Speaking of Claire Hassett, she recently sent us a sweet spring barrel sequence of Cape Cod standout and brother Steve Hassett, who will be heading off to school at the University of Hawaii this September. More of Claire's work can be found at www.clairehassett.smugmug.com.

•The Eastern Long Island Surfrider Chapter met on Friday, March 24th at Spinnaker's in Sag Harbor, NY. Southampton Town Trustee Jon Semlear and East Hampton Town Trustee William Mott were guest speakers and topics included the plan to protect the main wave at Montauk Point, strategies to expand surfing access to beaches on the north side of the Lighthouse, and updates on the recent talks with State Parks regarding 4x4 beach access. Get involved by visiting www.surfriderli.org today. The chapter also hosted a Surf Music Night on Saturday March 25th. Several bands including Costa Del Sol and Escola De Samba played to raise money for the protection of Montauk Point--now in jeopardy due to that aforementioned proposed project by the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the revetment around the lighthouse.

Slowlands

•New York Unsound rider Ryan Carlson and fellow ...Lost Surfboards hellraiser Andrew Gesler just returned from a performance-heavy trip to Puerto Rico where they ramped out every chance they got while shooting with New Jersey photographer Sara Ferber. *Montanaro Gallery in Newport, RI, hosted an auction titled Same As It Ever Was on April 1st, with part of the proceeds benefitting the Norman Bird Sanctuary and other local charities, and featuring works by gallery owner Michael Montanaro and others. Like the diverse collection in Montanaro Gallery, the auctioned work varied in mediums, including watercolors, limited edition prints, drawings and acrylics. Montanaro Gallery is located at 518 Thames Street in Newport, RI--across the street from Thai Cuisine and Scales and Shells. Check them out online at www.montanarogallery.com.

•Charlie Bunger, Jr. from Babylon, NY's, Bunger Surf Shop checked in to update us on some local news. Charlie's brother, Tommy Bunger, recently returned from a trip to Oahu, HI, with his wife Agnes and daughter Olivia--while Charlie and fiancé Kristin Semmelmann took a trip to Puerto Rico, where he reported scoring heaps of pumping waves in the Rincon area. Bunger is already gearing up for their 18th Annual Bunger Surf Classic at Gilgo Beach scheduled for the second week in August. Call the store at 1-800-698-SURF for more information. The shop also sends props out to teamriders Alex Fawess and Chris Tomlin, who are primed and ready for this year's contest season.

•And lastly, Charlie warned that "Zippy sightings in Babylon are still occurring on a daily basis with the shotness level at an all time high." Lock your doors at night, people. Compiled by Mike Fish

MA BLAHS

•Kitty Hawk, NC, pro Matt Beacham joined videographers Nic McLean and Matt Katsolis and ESM Photographer AJ Neste on a trip to Peru where they worked with Brian Jennings on his new Walking On Water film, which will be released sometime in 2007. Stay tuned to ESM's Traveler's Notebook for Beacham's take on the trip.

"Da Cold Water Shootout" -- Nernie

•Big ups to New Jersey native and filmer/ editor/ producer of the 2004 ESeMMY Award-winning surf film Through The Looking Glass, Bob Gilanyi, who recently acquired the Art Associate position at Surfing Magazine.

•In other Jersey deets, Aloha Grove Surf Shop owners Chad and Leslie Nifoussi are proud to announce their new Pier Village, Long Branch location at 84 Ocean Avenue. Stop by and check it out or if you need directions, give 'em a ring at 732-869-1001.

•Wrightsville Beach, NC, photog Kenny Onufrock reported that Charles Kirkley, aka Dr. Ding, was recently hired as one of only three shapers to work alongside the legendary Donald Takayama. Charles' area of focus will be Takayama's smaller boards, fishes and eggs.

•Virginia Beach, VA, pro Jason Borte called up to announce the inaugural Zeke's Lil' Rat Surfcus Memorial Wave Sliding Festival (in memory of dearly departed VB surfer Zeke Sanders). The contest is set for June 17th-18th at First Street Jetty with all proceeds going to the Zeke Memorial Surf Fund, which will donate to the I Need A Lighthouse Foundation for suicide awareness and prevention and to send local underprivileged youths to surf camps. Divisions include a $2000 Jr. Pro, Rat Ams (16 and under amateurs), Mini Rats (12 and under novices) and Log Jam (Open Longboard Expression Session), not to mention a wide-open talent show with that winner going home with the coveted Phyzeke Trophy. Entry forms are available at www.zekesanders.com or call 757-965-9659 for further information.

•Buxton, NC, new hope Brett Barley recently hopped aboard the Pride/ 17th Street Surf Shop ship. Other Pride team snoops found one of this edition's Who Da Guys, Philip Goold, fresh off a trip to Puerto Rico while fellow VB ripper Chris Todd did a little R&D in Hawaii.

•Another Vah Beach ripper, Mike Schirmer, from another Vah Beach shop, Whalebone Surf Shop, hit up Barbados for a couple weeks before moving into a new pad in VB with fellow troublemaker Brendan Petticrew. Scary.

Jamie Moran -- Mez

•If you get the chance, check out the club called Echo in Red Bank, NJ, owned by Garden State surfer Jamian LaViola. Echo has been throwing blowout surf art parties all winter featuring the work of various photographers, artists and filmmakers on the Eastside surfing scene. Visit www.echo-redbank.com for more.

•Congrats to Wilmington, NC, waterman Kelly White, who just got engaged to his beautiful girlfriend Susie Barlett. The wedding is set for September 30th.

•New blood photog from South Jersey Trevor Moran checked in with the ESM Photo Department between college classes to pitch a story about his trip to Australia's Gold Coast, where he went to hook up with big bro and big ripper Jamie. Jamie's been spending the gloriously surf-filled Ozzie summer with girlfriend Jackie Young, who's there schooling abroad. We say good oil that one and, besides surfing and shooting with his vacationing sibling, Trev will join forces with standout South Jerz locals Jesse Rendell and Steve Pura, as well as ESM Senior Staff Writer and St. Augustine, FL, top gun Zander Morton. We'd bet you a plate of meat pies and a slab of Toohey's Bitters that this fair dinkum crew is going to score, and score big, in the land of luscious pointbreaks. And you can read all about it right here in a future ish of Eastern Surf.

•Other New Jersey photogs making their way to Oz this year were Seth Stafford and Ryan Miller, and the latter didn't stop there. In fact, Miller went the complete opposite, splitting to Northern Scotland for a WQS contest in late April, where he focused on St. Augustine pros Gabe Kling, Jody Davis and Ryan Leonardy.

•Speaking of Leonardy, the mag welcomes him back to the East Coast. The former ESM Who Da Guy had moved out to California several years ago for college and is glad to be back home.

•Tim Donnelly, who scribed our New Jersey centerpiece this issue, joined ESM co-owner Dick Meseroll on a trip to New Orleans late this winter, where they surveyed both the ups (Mardi Gras) and downs (recording Katrina destruction) the area has gone through while putting together a story for Surfline about New Orleans' only surf store, N.O. Surf Shop, and their struggle to rebuild in the wake of the devastating storm. Log on to www.surfline.com to read Timmy's story accompanied by Mez's photos.

Tim Donnelly -- Mez

•It's good news for shapers, as Michael Dolsey has been designated the official importer/ distributor for Exell PU surfboard blanks, stocked at Fibercraft in Virginia Beach, VA, by David Barnes (and at Dolsey Ltd. in St. Augustine, FL, by Greg "GT" Taylor). Apparently, Barnes machine shaped the first sample blank in March to test the quality of the foam. The result? Not only did he want to buy Exell blanks, but he wanted to become the distributor himself. Call David at 757-425-6025.

•Former Delaware local and East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Fame member Skip Savage scored some great waves during a late-February trip to Costa Rica with Pensacola fixtures Yancy Spencer III and John Russell, plus Pat McKinney. He wishes to thank Fred Francis for putting them up in his condo in Playa Langosta, as well as Bob "The Greek" Bolen, who provided Skip with one of his new Surftech "Stylemaster" boards to try out. *Click on to www.obxsurfinfo.com for all the info on the Have A Heart Charity Surf Contest presented by obxsurfinfo.com, as the organization is still seeking donations and sponsorships. Anyone with additional questions can call Blake Sutton at 919-396-7764.

•Chris McCans, Vice President of Pyknic Boardwear, wants to spread the news about the grassroots surf/skate/snow/music clothing line formed by six college students from New Jersey. In order to become more established regionally as well as show their appreciation to all those who support them, Pyknic's looking to host a launch party for the brand this summer featuring three local bands--Clover Hill, Moraine and The Years Gone By--plus a runway with models, DJ, skate demo and their film debut on the big screen. Visit their website, www.pyknicwear.com, for more.

Kelly White & Susie Barlett -- White

•Sources found Atlantic Beach, NC, local gun Micky Hooks back on the East Coast this March repping his uncle Dock Hooks' surfboard security system, Docks Locks, after spending a long season on the North Shore, where he was regularly seen charging his favorite spot, Waimea Bay.

•Also holding it down for the Eastside in Hawaii this winter was Wrightsville Beach, NC, shredder Rob Brown, who got picked up by No Fear Clothing.

•And we thought he was just a photo guy... Not even, brah! Ocean City, NJ, pro Matt Keenan has been on quite a tear lately, taking home $400 for winning the ESA-CNJ District Pre-Season Pro/Am at Casino Pier on March 11th. Not so surprising for the West rider to win on his homestate turf, but then he went on to make the semifinals at the heavily stacked WQS 2-star-rated Vans Pro in Huntington Beach, CA, making him the highest placing East Coaster in the contest. Attaboy Keenzo!

•"I got married, dude!" wrote Outer Banks SavageRips teamrider Jason Mailand in an e-mail to ESM. The lucky lady's name was Lauren "Megan" Gregory, and the two made it official in Duck on February 20th. In other Savage news, Mailand's co-worker from Duck Village Outfitters, Josh Hall, will now represent the growing company on the skimboard front. Hall won the Skimboard division at last year's East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC), in Virginia Beach, VA, so you know he's got skills.

•Another Outer Banker who's turning heads lately is 16-year-old Chris McDonald, who won Sam Finch's "King of the Machine" contest. On Sunday March 26th, Finch's second contest found three-foot-overhead waves breaking 100 yards out at the Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk, NC. Dubbed "Da Cold Water Shootout," several standout Carolina surfers attended, including Dana Quinn, Craig Watson, Brant Doyle, Brent McCoy, Jason Forrest, Barry Price, Jr., Zack Kenny, Zane McKnight and Vince Boulanger. But in the end it was Jesse Hines taking home the whopping $60 championship, which he graciously gave to fellow surfer Todd Levy to help pay for his upcoming mission trip. Big thanks go to Duck Village Outfitters (DVO), Hooked Surfboards, SavageRips Clothing and mainly Pizzazz Pizza, where Steve Parsons always has you covered. Compiled by Matt Pruett

SE BLAHS

Kelly Branagh and Bill Cobb -- Mez

•As the tow-in/ tow- at disciplines take off with more people attempting it, there's definitely a need for instruction and education in the way of formal safety classes. This shit be dangerous--in both big and small waves--and it's easy to see how people who aren't properly instructed can hurt or kill themselves or others by attempting it without proper instruction. With that in mind, Puerto Rican charger William "Chino" Sue-A-Quan now has a solution at home in PR, Wow!! Surfing School, where he teaches the basics of tow surfing. For more info, check out Chino's site, www.clasesdesurfing.com, which is currently under construction but should be up soon, or call 787-995-6059.

•In other toes, kudos to our favorite Sunshine State noserider Leah Dawson, who tasted sweet victory in the Longboard division at the T&C Surf Women's Pipeline Pro.

•Daring Starbird Productions mastermind Jason Page's new movie, Exotic Nucleotic, is now officially out and absolutely dripping with hot South Florida action, both in and out of the water. A sort of follow-up to the disturbingly controversial but shit-hot AA Sponsored video, you can check out the trailer online at www.starbirdproductions.com. You'll have to come back next ish for the whole ESM Cinematheque scoop, where we'll talk with Page and his cronies, The Smutbusters, and find out what it took to make the movie... and what it took out of them (bail money, alcohol poisoning, etc.). We will say this, however: Heaviest Florida ever. And of course, a Parental Advisory Explicit Content warning, so the faint of heart should watch out.

•In Texas news, Lone Star State photographer Jon "Death Weasel" Steele split to Jamaica this March with Brevard County videographer Josh Coville and triplet riplets Kyle Garson, Alek Parker and Tommy O'Brien. The crew reported insanely fun surf while staying at the Wilmot family's Jamnesia Surf Camp. You can get a look at some of Coville's footy of the trip on www.surfline.com. *Shortly after the aforementioned Jamaican jaunt, Tommy O'Brien had such an irie time, he was quick to book another flight there, this time with fellow Billabong rider Ryan Briggs, Ryan Carlson, Brandon Campbell and prized ESM lensman Chris Wilson. Look for photographic coverage of both trips in future issues of Eastern Surf.

Asher Nolan -- Mez

•Congratulations to Spectrum Surf Shop riders Tommy Orsini and Jasset Umbel, who were crowned overall winners of the ESA-Central Florida District. *VonZipper recently added Jacksonville Beach, FL's, Randy Bruce to their marketing department. Randy formerly held a marketing position with Action Sports Group (ASG), working specifically with Surfing and SG Magazines, so his experience is most definitely an asset to the eyewear company.

•St. Augustine, FL, Adio rep Casey Stahr proudly announces the birth of his daughter, Isabella Grace Stahr, who showed up on March 23rd at 7:55 a.m.

•Ace Indialantic, FL, longboarder Mike DeTemple suffered a big scare this March while surfing in Australia, when he was hit across the chest by a loose surfboard. Mike has a pacemaker installed for an existing heart disease and it was knocked loose out of its protective pocket. The only way to fix this was to surgically move the pacemaker back into place. DeTemple had to fly home early and meet with his surgeon to have the procedure done the following day in Miami. Here's hoping he'll be back in the water as swiftly and healthily as possible.

•It's official. Longtime Ezekiel teamrider and South Florida standout Cheyne Cottrell now rides for Oakley. *She's a man, man! Well, not really, but Karina Petroni did take home the $2000 1st-place check in the Open Pro Shortboard final at the 3rd Annual Aqua East Surfing The Blues event, held April 1st at Jax Beach Pier. In borderline-uncontestable one-foot surf, Karina beat out male counterparts Garrett Carmichael, Jeff Crego and Corey Sapp, respectively, to show why she's currently sitting in the #1 spot on the ASP Women's WQS ratings.

Kyle Garson -- Dugan

•In other Jax news, the first showing of Birdman Production's new film, Surf Brigade, attracted a huge crowd to the Atlantic Theaters. The band Peace Thru Action started the party off right, playing their tribal rock music on the stage before everyone piled in to see the surf action. Cheers abounded for locals like the aforementioned Miss Petroni, as well as Ryan Briggs, Jay Gordon and Asher Nolan, who are all starring in the film. Big thanks to Volcom, Mainframe Media, Sunrise Surf Shop, Whisnant Surfboards, Flatline Skateboards, Smith Optics and Ponte Vedra Surf Co., who donated prizes to be raffled off in support of the Surfrider Foundation. Dub Tyte then laid down a kinky reggae vibe to end the night. A successful evening all the way.

•While we suffered through the tail end of the worst wintertime flat spell many of us can remember, South Florida stalwart Dave Leonard caught unreal waves along Panama's Caribbean coastline during a trip he took with Chris Stynes, Chris Henderson, Bobby Dehner and John Powers.

•Big ups to Florida Gulf Coast University student Jeffrey Key, who won Surfrider's 2005 Pratte Scholarship for $2000. *One of this issue's Who Da Guys, Lake Mary, FL's, Michael Howard, jumped ship from Redsand to Analog Clothing.

•And speaking of sponsor switch-ups, Billabong picked up the entire Thompson tribe: Cody, Evan and Tristan--all of whom won their ESA-North Florida District divisions this year.

•Satellite Beach, FL, pro skater Clay King announced that his band, Atlas, just finished their Florida tour with Matchmaker and Wilson Ave. They're presently in the studio recording their upcoming EP. *After seven years with Spy Optics, Jody Davis is now wired to the grid with Electric.

•St. Augustine pro Zander Morton wanted to get the word out about his friends' grassroots surf/ skate company Bean Dip. Visit www.beandipclothing.com to check 'em out.

Dave Leonard -- Hill

•ESA-South Florida District Director and South Florida Longboard Association President Roray Kam has decided to undertake another duty as he's putting on the inaugural Pura Vida Summer Classic and Billabong Junior Pro/Am at the Best Western in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. The event will go down June 18th-25th. For further details, be sure to call 954-680-SURF or contact Mike Brooks at 954-272-8038.

•Make sure you've bookmarked the Gulf Coast's premier surfing website, www.gulfster.com, to keep yourself updated with Cory's Lopez's yet-to-be-named surf shop, coming soon to his hometown of Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Floridian WCT surfers opening surf shops... Seems to be a trend lately.

•A little bird told us the Third Coast Surf & Skate Corpus Christi Open was a huge success. Hundreds of people enjoyed two days of wonderful weather, good waves, great people and good ol' fashioned Southern fellowship. Thanks to all who volunteered their time and talents. Visit the Texas Gulf Surfing Association's website at www.tgsa.org for more.

•Melbourne Beach FL's, fabled thoroughfare, Ocean Avenue, home office to Eastern Surf Magazine, is now whole again with the grand opening of Kelly "Beezer" Branagh and Bill Cobb's second hardcore surf n' skate shop, Ultimate Sports Warehouse South. Not since 1983 with the closing down of Lewis Graves and Bruce Walker's infamous Ocean Avenue Surf Shop--whose team was comprised of such luminaries as Matt Kechele, Jeff Klugel, Tim Briers, Jackie Grayson, Mike "Nemo" Nemnich and Greg Loehr--has a shop opened its doors on O.A., just a bar of wax throw from one of Central Florida's most popular sandbars. A most welcome addition to ESM's neighborhood, USW is stocking a wide selection of hardgoods like decking, leashes and skateboard supplies, as well as great board labels like Chris Birch's Split Lip, Timmy Patterson, Surftech and ...Lost, plus clothing and some cool, funky bamboo furniture and decor. Store hours are 10 a.m. 'til 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more information call 321-725-1333 or, better yet, have a look-see for yourself on your way to surf O.A. And don't forget to stop by the flagship store, Ultimate Sports Warehouse North in Indialantic, FL, on A1A South. This has been an ESM public service announcement in support of all the great East Coast retailers like USW who carry this mag and get it into your salty little mitts for free. Compiled by Matt Pruett

MFE BLAHS

Ben McBrien -- Coen

•New Jersey's journalistic Dynamic Duo Ann and Jon Coen teamed-up for a recon of one of the last true mysterious surf locales in the world, the Caribbean island of Cuba, with a cast of top East Coast talents--Ben McBrien, Billy Hume and Ian Parnell--plus Get In The Van creator Joe Carter, who did the filming honors. The group caught a late-winter cold front, which produced clean, four to six-footers that the crew compared favorably to a fun day at Backdoor Pipe. Said writer Coen about their experience: "It was really interesting to get down there and see what's going on while Castro is still in power. The island has a ton of potential and is just waiting to be tapped when things lighten up with the political situation. We were forbidden to explore much beyond the Havana city limits and there's a gold mine of surfbreaks out there if you ask me." But with the selling out of Nicaragua--and now Jamaica in the early stages--we're not so sure it's exactly a bad thing that those places are still off limits to the gold card masses. So we're not pulling for "The Beard" to leave this earthly plane anytime soon. Look for an in-depth piece penned by Jon with photography from Ann in an upcoming issue of The Surfer's Path.

•Florida native-turned-seasoned Hawaii shaper Carl Schaper and his brother Mark are opening a new factory in Melbourne, FL. Having shaped his first board in the Sunshine State in 1974, Schaper's returning to his roots after living in Hawaii for the past 18 years. Bonga Perkins, Kanoa Dahlin, Danny Wills, Richie Lovett, Mick Campbell, Luke Hitchings and Tom Whitaker are just a few of the riders Carl's shaped for. Be sure to visit www.schaper-hawaii.com, or call Mark at 321-536-5378 for more information.

•Dig photographer Jack English's new website at www.surfimages.com.

Cuba -- Coen

•Lars from Algarve Surf School in Portugal checked in to let us know that the camp is seeking employees for the summer season. Peep the amazing setup at www.algarvesurfschool.com, and e-mail Lars at lars@algarvesurfschool.com to apply.

•True Ames Fins Co. just announced that they teamed up with local Cape Cod, MA, standout Marc Angelillo as their new New England Sales Representative and Surf Team Captain. Angelillo is a 25-year seasoned veteran of the surf, ski and snowboard industries--and still competes and rides for Billabong, DaKine, Freestyle, Reef, Smith, Surftech and now True Ames Fins. Check out their diverse family of surfboard steering devices at www.trueames.com.

• Mike Sammaritano checked in from Deerfield Beach, FL, to let us know about his killer new shop Underground Surf Company. The store offers shapes from Uprising Surfboards built by Pete Daly, and welcomes Caleb Jenson to their surf team. Stop by Underground at 1330 South Federal Highway or give them a buzz at 954-428-5678.

√ESM and the East Coast community mourns the loss of Randy Thomas, legendary Central Floridian who ran the Longboard House on Minuteman Causeway in Cocoa Beach. He passed away on April 4th.

•Eugenio Volpe let us know that Bob Pollard, owner of Levitate Surf and Skate in Marshfield, MA, paid him a visit this winter in California. After three vacationless years associated with opening Levitate, Bob brought his entire familywife Amelia and two kids Hope and Perryto hang with his teamrider Volpe, who's currently living in Santa Barbara. Along with sessions at Rincon and Jalama, Bob and fam spent a few days camping in San Clemente and surfing Trestles. "Those guys out there who use their family as an excuse as to why they don't go on surf trips need to take note of Bob," Volpe wrote in an e-mail. Also in Levitate news, Bob wanted to send a shout-out to another teamrider--Pembroke, MA's, Nora Vasconcellos, who is 12 years old and recently qualified for the ESA Northeast Regionals in her first year of competing. Congrats, Nora, we'll be keeping an eye out for you.

Matt Kechele -- Mez

•Scared of sharks? Well, the guys at Sharkbaitsurfwax might have a solution for you. Granted it's mostly mental, but here's what they had to say about their product: "Sharkbaitsurfwax is not necessarily about sharks, it's about overcoming one's fear of sharks." So next time you paddle out at Matanzas Inlet, grab a bar. Visit them online at www.sharkbaitsurfwax.com.

•Cheers to St. Augustine, FL's, filmmaker Dustin Miller and his film This Is My Heart, which was featured in Quiksilver's Quikfilm contest. Go to www.quiksilver.com to peep the movie, or to www.fleshprofitsnothing.com for more on Dustin's films and photos.

• Surfing Options is a new website that offers the fastest online access to surf movies produced by the world's leading surf filmmakers. No need to wait--simply log in, choose your favorite surfers, clips, trips, and then download an instant surfing rush. Surfing Options was created by Matt Gye and Shagga, the producers, directors and six-time internationally awarded surf filmmakers and creators of 3 Degrees, Montaj, A Day In The Life, and now the Surfing Options DVD series.

•Brevard legend Matt Kechele's new line of Freak tailpads have been garnering a lot of attention in the industry. Along with the pads--which provide the perfect traction for a layback or boost--Freak offers more accessories, such as the Flex Grappler Tool, a multipurpose wax comb/ tool that fits in a leash key pocket. Check out Kech's Freak innovations at www.freakinfo.com.

•Boardriders Travels officially launched its site at www.boardridertravels.com, which teams up with some of the biggest names in the travel industry to bring you some of the lowest airfare and hotel rates available.

•Billabong is set to kick off a series of five-day summer surf camps for kids with Right Coast locations in Florida, Virginia, Maryland, New York and Texas. The camps' programs include an introduction to ocean science, environment awareness and surf etiquette as well as surfing techniques. Log on to www.billabong.com to find a camp near you.

•Irish Open Champ Mikey Morgan recently helped launch an innovative, interactive photo web service called WP Surf. It aims to simplify the relationship between surf photographer and rider, and eventually create a worldwide network. Learn more at www.wpsurf.com. •Get ready for Wrightsville Beach, NC, filmmaker Joe Cheshire's newest flick, Under The Rader, starring Ben Bourgeois, Cory Lopez, Kelly Slater,

CJ Hobgood, and lineups like Oz, Tahiti, France, Hawaii and the U.S. For more info, log on to www.digitalwunderland.com. Cheshire also noted that they will start the clip of the month on the Digital Wunderland website on May 1st, sponsored by www.wblivesurf.com. Stay tuned.

Bob Pollard -- Awef' Shore

•Want a custom board by your favorite shaper, but you don't live near his factory? Chris Hough, one of the owners of the Central Florida-based company The Surfboard Warehouse, wanted to let everyone know about its unique services. The site aims to provide everyone, especially on the East Coast, access to the world's best in shapers, custom surfboards and surf gear. Be sure to visit them online at www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com.

•Tune into Fuel TV's nomadic surf series On Surfari, which follows husband and wife hosts Shayne and Shannon McIntyre on a rugged trek across the globe. Check your local listings for times (or go to www.fuel.tv) and watch the family seek out waves in the Caribbean, Italy, Korea and Taiwan.

•After receiving an international dispatch in the form of a webpage link from former Who Da Girl Kristin Wilson (sister of new ESM Photo Editor Jimbo Wilson), we were a little confused, because the page was in Spanish, and we're a little rusty. But Kristin made sure to clarify: "Yeah, so what if this article is in Spanish," she wrote, "in a nutshell it says Kristin Wilson won four rounds of heats and beat Costa Rican National Champ Lisbeth Vindas in glassy, head-high nuggets at the 4-Star Copa Mango Playa Nosara in March." That's just the translation we were looking for, especially coming from our favorite Eastside wahine expat. That is, if you're still considered an expat for moving to Costa Rica these days. Anyway, congrats Kristin, and we're sure you had everyone on the beach asking "Quien Da Chica?"

•Newly married Zoo York rider and talented woodworker Ben McBrien is now building wooden surfcraft for Grain Surfboards up in Maine. Compiled by Mike Fish

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