NE BLAHS

Chip Jenkow -- Nelson
Surfers in the Northeast frequently cross over into snowboarding to take full advantage of the prime peaks and tons of snow found up in their neck of the woods. With such conditions, riders in the northern regions can get good enough to tackle the bigger stuff on the international scene. In late April, Palmer Snow- boards sponsored New York-based X-Treme Surf Shop’s Tony Z, and Pat “Uncle Doobie” Simone on a trip to snowboard Europe’s highest peak, Mt. Blanc. The treacherous mountain is located on the borders of Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland. Tony told us that upon reaching the summit via helicopter, he proceeded to puke his guts out from altitude sickness, but he said that after tossing his cookies, there was no turning back as it took the two New Yorkers over six hours to descend the huge mountain on their new Palmer sticks. Mr. Z also reported that several of his other teamriders recently returned from a trip down to Costa Rica. At the end of May, Scott Jankow, Chip Jankow, and Brian Palphy traveled to the Central American country and surfed up and down the Pacific coast, encountering good waves, big barrels, and angry hornets. While driving through some tall grass in Tamarindo, they backed over a nest of the enraged insects which swarmed through the rear windows inflicting painful stings to each of the surfers. Luckily, the three escaped without serious injury, and they soon forgot about their wounds after washing off in the head-high peeling Tamarindo Rivermouth.
Lincoln Boulevard -- Nelson
•Also in New York, ESM Senior Photographer Mike Nelson of Unsound Surf in Long Beach reported that he and fellow teamrider Mike Salerno scored Lincoln Boulevard overhead and offshore during a late season nor’easter in the first week of June. The two were up and on it by 8:30 am and caught the near perfect, barreling waves all to themselves for almost an hour. Nelson told us that the Lincoln sandbars are excellent, and the lefts have been long and super hollow. Mike also let us know that the annual Unsound Surf Pro will be held September 20th to 24th in Long Beach, NY. Last year’s winner, Dustin Ray, and 2nd place finisher Adam Virs, who both ride for Unsound and are from Cali, will be returning with Muck and the Lost crew to take on the East Coast in the event. For entry forms or sponsor information, contact Mike or Dave Juan at 516-889-1112. • The same swell that hit New York lit up spots along New Hampshire’s coastline as well. On June 7th, Joey Feely of Zapstix reported that Boar’s Head was really good at 6 to 8-foot and offshore, but Joey was stuck out of the water with a dislocated shoulder he suffered while moshing a few nights before at the Stain concert. Feely was in the pit at the Hampton Beach Casino when somebody sucker-punched his friend Tim Sheridan. Joey went after the guy and laid him out cold with an elbow to the face, but he hit him so hard his shoulder popped out of the socket. Feely said it was difficult working at the shop after his injury during the June swell, because all of his buddies were coming in from the water and raving about their insane rides. However, after three weeks, Joe was ready to go surfing again and anxiously awaiting the first hurricanes.
Mark Anastas -- Ready
•Further up north in Maine, there’s a whole lotta love in the air. Mark Anastas of Liquid Dreams in Ogunquit informed ESM that he and girlfriend Rachel Hotz were engaged on May 1st and plan to tie the knot this October. Also planning to wed is Mark’s friend Jeff Brogen who popped the question to his longtime sweetheart in late spring as well. Finally, three issues back in Vol. 9, #63, we printed a photo of Maine hellman Brian Aromondo standing half-naked in the snow with the logo “Balls Man” on his board. Further validation of that title has come to ESM’s attention through Anastas, who reported that Brian and his wife Whitney are expecting a baby girl sometime in the fall. It seems that the brutal cold has done nothing to inhibit the Maine crew’s overheated libidos as the weddings and babies just keep coming. •Aloha Surfboards and Clothing and Aleeda Wetsuits have hired New York’s Andy Ryan as their Northeast sales rep. Those interested in getting catalogs or information about the products he’s selling can call him at 914-646-2612 or e-mail Andy at a_m_ryan@hotmail.com.
Jan Causey -- McGovern
•Jan Czajkowski, spokesperson for New England Surfrider, organized a pollution testing operation for the top ten surfing beaches in Rhode Island. With a grant from Surfrider and volunteers from the University of Rhode Island Marine Lab, the water at Narragansett, Dunes Club, Conant Ave., Olivio’s, North Point Judith, South Point Judith, K-39’s, Matunuk Point, Trestles, and Mary’s Bar was analyzed for contaminants in late May. Surprisingly, every beach that was tested came back with clean results. Look in this issue on page 98 to find out about the water status up and down the East Coast in our coverage of Surfrider’s State of the Beach report. •Due to the success of the “Chicks on Sticks” surf schools for women last summer, the town of Narragansett, Rhode island, has provided insurance and surfboards to continue the program this year. Beginning in July, there have been two classes held each week: one for older riders on Thursday nights and one for younger girls on Saturday mornings. The instructors are all women and include the following top ESA champion surfers: Janice Causey, Lee “Gidget” Ferrera, Sandy Ketrow, Tricia Pan, and Jen LeClair. Call Peter Pan at Watershed for more info at 401-789-3399. •Rip Zone Surfwear is looking to sponsor girls who surf shortboards or longboards. Any women who think they might qualify should contact Paul McGrath at 905-564-6830 and send in their portfolios to 520 Abilene Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5T2H7. •New York’s Ed “Zippy” Arikian was down in Florida for his annual Easter visit, and he stayed with ESM Senior Photog/ Owner Tom Dugan. Ed was seen drinking with Randall, Wingnut, Stephen Slater, Corky Carroll, and his newest best buddy, Robert August, at the Easter Surfing Festival Legend’s Party at Jack Kirschenbaum’s beachfront home in Cocoa Beach. Luckily, Dugan reports that Ed’s check for the phone bill just cleared, and if Zippy sends back the surf videos and gay porn he took from Tom, he’s welcome to return next year. Compiled by Chris Towery


MA BLAHS

Joe Crum -- Hallgreen
What if you could surf all the best spots with nobody else out? What if you had a hidden identity and people were frightened by your anonymity? What if surfers were afraid to drop in on you because they believed you would eat their first born? A caped crusader appeared on the Outer Banks a couple of years ago and is believed to have returned to snatch a few barrels for himself. According to several sources, including Hatteras Village’s Ryan Jones, there were numerous sightings of an unidentified surfer in a black mask on a flaming board from Avon Pier to Frisco. The infamous ripper, nicknamed “El Diablo,” always seems to be at the best spots first and disappears as soon as anyone else paddles out. A free ESM T-shirt will be awarded to the first person who sends in a photo of this masked man. •The ESA announced major changes in both location and time for the Easterns this summer. The championship event, which has traditionally been held at the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, has been moved up the coast to the Avon Pier in Avon, NC. The new contest venue will utilize the entire pier complex, and there will be food and drinks sold on the beach, video shoots from the pier, and nearby parking available. The dates for the Easterns have also been changed, and in order to avoid any conflicts with the Surf Expo in Florida, the ESA competition will be held from September 24th through the 30th.
Matt Beacham -- Kepler
•A former ESM intern doing well for himself is Contributing Writer Matt Pruett who graduated this year from UNCW with a BA in English. Pruett, who penned this issue’s interview with pal Ben Bourgeois, rewarded himself with a celebratory trip to Indo along with ESM Photog Heather Holjes, Billy Hume, Jeff Myers, Justin Brown, Nigel Haynes, and super-grom Martin Fucci. They left on June 23rd to meet up with the boat Dream Weaver, and returned in late July from tropical locales such as Sumbawa, Lombok, and Sumatra. Don’t miss the photographic and editorial coverage of their excursion in upcoming editions of Eastern Surf. •ESM senior photog Raymond B. Hallgreen took his annual trip to Cape Hatteras during Easter weekend with his wife Patty, son Alton, and daughter Lauren. He was able to grab several good photos at 1st Groin of 12-year-old Lighthouse local, Joey Crum, and NC college student, Jason André. Ray also found Frisco Pier head-high and hollow with a 35-knot offshore wind. •Found Nation Christian surf school, started by Outer Banks’ local Brad Beacham, will be running from June 19th through September 15th. Instruction will be held every day from 8am to 12pm, and the location will vary from Kill Devil Hills to Nags Head depending on the waves. Classes are available on either a weekly or daily basis and will feature born-and-bred local instructors Jesse Hines, Matt Beacham, and Noah Snyder. Call Brad to make reservations at 252-480-0125. Meanwhile, NC videographer and producer of the “Found Nation” video, Nick McLean, went to Peru to take notes and film raw footage of “The Mole in the Hole” Snyder in June. Before the aforementioned classes began, the boys attended the Wrightsville wedding of OBX undergrounder James Smith to Kimber Leigh. The ceremony was attended by Brant Doyle, Craig Watson, the Beacham brothers, and Shane Collins who is getting married to Mandy Nicholson on September 30th.
Brant Doyle -- Carey
•Farther north, the Ocean City Maryland Surfrider Chapter implemented the Blue Water Task Force water testing program in May. They plan to publish the results on a regular basis in Ocean City Today or another local newspaper. The chapter has launched other community outreach programs and events such as beach clean-ups, dune grass planting at Assateague National Park, preserving the Montego Bay Wetlands, and a sold-out benefit concert featuring Dick Dale. •The Delaware Surfrider chapter and everyone at Evolve want to give a HUGE congratulations to Jody and Greg “G-Man” Miller for giving birth to beautiful triplets. In a couple of years, Cameron, Ethan, and Shane are going to be ripping up the local slopes and killing it in the surf. The Evolve Board Shop crew and all the surfers and snowboarders in the Maryland area send their prayers and best wishes to long time bro Brian Marshall, who broke his neck and back while surfing 58th Street in Ocean City, MD at low tide.
Kathy Phillips -- Mez
•OCMD’s Chip Ayers slipped away to Costa Rica for two weeks at the end of April. Staying in Dominical, Chip said the waves didn’t drop below a foot overhead during his visit, thanks to two prime south swells. Chip reported that after the Altered States feature in Issue #64, friend Ricky Barretto went into severe depression due to the photos ESM published of him posing in his cross-dressing outfit. Ricky has allegedly since been seen hanging out in the women’s department at Sears. •Duke Kahanamoku is up once again before the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee as they consider subjects to appear on commemoratives stamps in the year 2002 and beyond. Show your support by writing a letter to: Duke Kahanamoku Commemorative Stamp, CSAC c/o Stamp Development, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4474E, Washington, DC 20260-2437. Nothing is more important than a letter from someone who truly admires Duke and expresses that aloha in their own way. •Mike Manzi of Plumeria Surfboards and NSU Clothing recently attended the Northeast Regional Surfoffs in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, where a 7’8” Plumeria gun designed by Dick Brewer was the raffle grand prize at the contestant’s dinner. North Shore Underground supplied lots of cool T-shirts, hats, rash guards, and boardshorts as prizes as well. Plumeria and NSU congratulate all the competitors and ESA organizers Kathy and Jeff Phillips, Lisa Roselli, Joe Grottola, and Scott Goodwin on an outstanding event. •Another event worth checking out is the East Coast Wahine Championships which will be holding the fourth annual female-only amateur surfing contest this August 12th and 13th in Wrightsville Beach, NC. The contest is open to any age in all divisions, and their website is www.eastcoastwahines.com. The championship is presented by Elleven, who picked up local SNC ESA ripper Eileen O’Connor from Carolina Beach, NC. •Up the coast, on the Central Jersey shores, a person resembling Hunter Joslin was seen hanging ten in clean shoulder to head-high surf somewhere between the Inlet and the Pier. However, the sighting was not confirmed, because his physique looked much larger in person. •On Saturday, May 27th, New Jersey surfers participated in an offshore rally as part of the Ocean Defense Campaign. Over fifty surfers paddled 3.5 miles from North Beach at Sandy Hook to rally against the dumping of contaminated materials offshore. Compiled by John Steinhorst


SE BLAHS

Kelly -- Dugan
The warm water is heating up the tropics, and that can only mean one thing: stock up on plywood, drinking water, canned food, and candles. Hurricane season is here, and we’re ready for just about anything the Atlantic can send our way. ESM would like to send both a congratulations and a get well soon message out to former Editorial Intern/ Contributing Writer Eric “Chowdar” Seeger. While vacationing in Hawaii during late May, Eric over-exerted himself both in the water as well as back in the buffet line, and upon returning home, he was rushed to the hospital for surgery to repair a ruptured hernia. Thankfully, Eric and his anatomy have recovered just fine, and the injury did nothing to stop Seeger from landing a new position as the Associate Editor for the online fishing mag eAngler. The new job will require Eric and his wife Michelle to move to Tampa, but “Chowdar” will still be making regular appearances in Eastern Surf as the main man in our music and video review department. Way to go Eric, just try to pace yourself a little more next time! •After returning from Tahiti with brothers Stephen and Kelly, Cocoa Beach surfer/ shaper Sean Slater began preparing for the Volcom Sea Cow Tour. The series culminates at Sebastian Inlet for the 2nd Annual Sea Cow Championships on Dec. 3rd. For more info, contact the tour hotline at 805-995-3603, contact Sean at 321-868-0947, or e-mail sslater@volcom.com. Volcom teamrider, and Central Florida native Kyle Garson, went to Costa Rica for the Quiksilver contest and Vans Airshow along with Vah Beach’s Ian Parnell. Tagging along with Team Volcom, Rusty rider, Adam Wickwire of Satellite Beach, also went to CR and stayed at the Garson’s Loma Del Mar Surf Camp while training for the Nationals. •Ladies, if you missed this year’s Toes on the Nose 3rd Annual Women’s Spring Classic on May 6th, you really missed out. The surf slowly built to 2 to 4 feet and semi-choppy by the afternoon in front of Cocoa Beach’s Natural Art Surf Shop. Overall, the waves were fun, and the competition was strong. The contestants came from all over the Sunshine State and as far away as North Carolina and California. The impressive amateur events even had the judges cheering, and the women in the four pro divisions battled it out for the $1600 purse. •On May 31st, Aloha Surfboards Right Coast teamriders Rory Gregg of Atlantic Beach, FL, and John C. Schmidt III, of LBI, NY, along with Kai Nalu rider Kevin “The Bushman” Bush from Stuart, Florida, returned from a month-long charge through Oz and Fiji. The boys scored 6’ Narraben, head-high Burleigh, solid Duranbah, 10’+ Bells and Winkipop. The group then dodged the crowds at Tavarua during the Quiksilver Pro to stay in a private Fijian camp on Yanuca Island and surf a secret outer reef pass 15 miles off the southern coast of Vanua Levu, cashing in on solid 8’-10’ lefthanders. Wake up boys, you must have been dreaming.  
Dimirti Kjos -- Dugan
•One man with big dreams of his own is Johnathan Myers of Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, who has been hand-crafting his own shapes under the label Cracker Surfboards. Although “Dirty” John got skunked on his last trip to Hatteras with musician Brian Esmond, who contracted salmonella, he plans to hit El Salvy in August for the southern-hemi swells thumping Punta Mango. •Ricky Martin made a stop to South Florida and Oakley sales rep Dimitri Kjos wasn’t about to miss the show. Kjos was seen “Living la Vida Loca” at the concert with his beautiful dancing partner. •Another musician who paid a visit to Central Florida was former Grateful Dead frontman Bob Weir who played with his band Ratdog at the House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista. Weir ripped through almost two hours of classic material like “Desolation Row” and “Twilight Time” along with the sure-fire crowd-pleasing Dead tunes such as “Estimated Prophet” and “China Cat Sunflower.” Bobby was practicing up for this summer’s Furthur Festival, running from August 23rd to September 24th which will be touring the entire East Coast and across the country. This year’s annual event will feature the latest incarnation of the Other Ones as well as Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Check www.dead.net for dates and ticket information.
Chris Heffner -- Dugan
•Popular St. Pete metro surf spot Upham Beach was closed to the public after a beach renourishment project uncovered thousands of gallons of oil under the Blind Pass seafloor from a ‘93 spill. The oil was pumped into a huge temporary reservoir at Upham Beach and then collected and disposed of. Upham was last dredged in 1996, and locals say it was one of the few spots that actually benefited from the sand replenishment, eventually making it break better. The beach reopened in late June, and locals are still waiting for a swell to test the new widened beachfront. •Seminole ripper and BAT Surfboards/ Suncoast Surf Shop teamrider Dustin Howard recently returned from a spring break trip to Puerto Rico. He arrived just in time for a late-winter swell and reported catching double-overhead waves. After getting caught inside and washed onto the rocky reef, he spent some time pulling sea urchin spines from his foot. •ESM Senior Photographer, Chad Oakley, headed to Cali for Nationals from June 27th to July 1st as the official photog for the Right Coast Team. Then he took off to Bali for the rest of the month for juicy blue barrels.
Robbie Jones -- Dugan
•Those of you who don’t have sufficient funds for the airfare to Bali, can at least afford to journey to Bali Blue Surf Shop which opened in Casselberry, FL, in mid-June. Check out styles from Quiksilver, Hurley, Billabong, and Roxy just to name a few. Also, look for shapes from Matt Kechele Surfboards. They hope to see you there. Call Bali Blue at 407-331-3323. •It was good to see Central Florida’s Chris Heffner back in town (as well as back in men’s clothing) and representing Billabong while on a little promo run during the early summer. The now SoCal-based Heff has done us proud by becoming an integral player in promotions and advertising with the Bong’s new US outfit. During his visit, Chris spent several days scouting new surfing talent during the NSSA Championships held at his old homebreak of Sebastian Inlet. •Newly minted repster David Speir reported that Rusty Apparel and Surfboards has hired Indialantic, FL’s, Shon Lassiter to execute East Coast Team Promotions. Lassiter will be promoting, organizing events, and sponsoring contests. His first big assignment will be to organize the Rusty Gromfest which will be held during late summer at a currently undetermined location. Call Shon for more info at 407-777-3897. •R.J. Surfboards owner Robbie Jones was diagnosed with a rare case of melanoma behind his right eye. The lifetime resident of Indialantic will be unable to work and out of the water for two months after the removal of his eye. We wish him a speedy recovery as he joins the ranks of other one-eyed surfers like Derrick Hynd, Jack O’Neill, and our very own Chris Towery. All donations can be sent to: The Robbie Jones Benefit Fund, Harbor Federal, 305 Fifth Ave., Indialantic, FL 32903. Compiled by John Steinhorst 

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