NE BLAHS

Wyldewood Surfclub -- Winterton
Up around the Great Lakes, surfers attempting to capitalize on the last days of warm water snuck in a few sessions during the final week of September. According to ESM’s inside connection Magilla Schaus, president of the Wyldewood Surf Club in Buffalo, NY, a late summer gale system pumped six-foot surf to Wyldewood Beach on Lake Erie, in Port Colborne, Ontario. Magilla and the rest of the club held their annual summer ESA/ Great Lakes surf contest with competitors from America, Canada, and Brazil attacking the windblown, chunky peaks dumping just offshore. The surf was fairly sizable and the wind was absolutely howling. While not quite Edmund Fitzgerald intensity, the onshores were blasting so hard they almost knocked over the judges’ scaffolding and forced the crew to move the grandstand up to a windblocked perch on a hill overlooking the beach. In addition to the contest, Great Lakes surfer Kenny “the Gremmie” Ashburn wed longtime girlfriend Amanda Deck in mid-summer. Rather than dealing with the out-of-control winds and weather at home, the couple headed to the sunny North Shore of Oahu where they shared their vows on the beach. •The Surf Expo isn’t the only place to debut your new
Newp's Nukin -- Coffey
clothing lines. Just ask Mike Manzi of North Shore Underground. Mike is NSU’s New York/ New Jersey rep, and he’s been promoting his new lines by donating them as prizes to local New York and New Jersey ESA competitions. With contest winners sporting the new threads, Manzi is guaranteed to have solid surfers backing his gear. •In other New York news, Woody Abrahamsen, owner of Woody’s surf shop in Shirley, sent word that Tim Dungate was the proud winner of a brand new North Atlantic longboard raffled off in late summer at the shop. Dungate was stoked with his new plank shaped by Jeff Anderson, an exclusive shaper for the shop. Woody sent out thanks to Good Samaritan Ed “Mr. Aloha” Young for providing barbecue for his summer surf clinics and told ESM that the classes were a huge success and completely full each weekend along with everyone’s belly. Lastly, Abrahamsen said that a full squad of Woody’s surf team, including Tyler and T-Bone Abbatello, Bucky Turley, Joey Rosadio, Mike Becker, and Caroline Alexander, headed to North Carolina for the ESA Championships in September. Check out this issue’s Easterns coverage for details. •According to ESM’s anonymous Northeast sources, late September saw waves with near 15-foot faces pound the points in Newport, RI. The huge surf, spawned by a combination of Hurricane Isaac and an early season nor’easter, nearly drowned several surfers who became caught inside and had to deal with whitewater the size of a two-story condominium. The monstrous waves were some of the largest seen on the East Coast all summer. •Speaking of Rhode Island, Sid “the Package” Abruzzi received a double shot of hurricane surf on both the East Coast as well as out in California, and he scored both sessions at beaches with the same name. Out in Cali for the Surfer Poll, Sid sampled the surf produced by Hurricane Layne at Newport Point, CA, and after returning home days later, Hurricane Isaac sent waves Sid called 10 to 12-foot into his his hometown of Newport, Rhode Island. Abruzzi said that it wasn’t as big as last year, and overall this season was pretty dismal, but he was stoked with his fortuitous timing.
Sid Abruzzi -- McGovern
•ESM’s first and only New York cover boy Java Bailey and his brother Bruce are working hard to prepare for a winter surf trip to Hawaii. Java has been busy at home in the Hamptons working for his father’s construction company, while Bruce has been studying long hours during his freshman year at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, California. The brothers plan to leave for Oahu in January, and after several weeks they’ll fly over to Kauai for the beginning of spring. On the Garden Isle, the Baileys are hooking up with friend
Hurricane Isaac in Maine -- Ready
Shawn Mett who owns Island Surf in Westhampton, NY. Shawn is bringing along teamrider Ryan Saboi, who just picked up OAM and X-Cel. While in Kauai, the New York crew plans on renting a house in scenic Hanalei, home to one of the finest right-hand reefbreaks in the world. With that as their home base, they’ll be touring the numerous breaks across the island throughout February and March. Stay tuned to ESM’s Hawaii issue in March for coverage of the Bailey brothers in the islands. •Up in Maine, Mark Anastas of Liquid Dreams told Eastern Surf that the waves were firing during the last week of September and several days in October. The same swell that hit Rhode Island was responsible for pumping overhead surf into the Ogunquit Rivermouth. Mark reported that the break was going off for several days, and despite the cold water, the lineup was packed with throngs of surfers trying to enjoy the waning days of relative warmth. The water temp as of mid October had already dropped to a chilly 53°, although the North Atlantic did manage to climb all the way into the lower seventies at the height of summer. •ESM Senior Photog Jim Ready was on hand in Maine for the Isaac swell, and he scored several insane days at a variety of spots in the Pine Tree State. Not only was Jim present for the surf in Ogunquit, but he also traveled south to shoot an undisclosed break near York, Maine. The spot is one of the few places in the area that takes south swells, and it only breaks two or three times a year. The New England photographer lucked out, catching the rare lineup bombing at several feet overhead. Compiled by Chris Towery.


MA BLAHS

David Sledge -- Scribbins
After forming in the Gulf of Mexico and crossing the southeastern states into the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Gordon brought a four to six-foot south swell to North Carolina’s Iron Steamer Pier in late September. Photographer Sam McConky, owner of the Iron Steamer Resort and Fishing Pier and one of the only pier owners promoting surfing in the area, was able to shoot photos of the action. The crew spotted surfing there during the swell included Dud Brownlow, David Sledge, Mindy Ballou-Fitzpatrick, and recent “Who Da Guy” Paul Poston, who claimed it was actually good enough to ride his shortboard! “Poto” Poston said he witnessed Ricky Sledge accidentally run over Mrs. Ballou-Fitzpatrick in the glassy, green lefts, but luckily she survived the incident without serious injury. ESM photog Mark Scribbins was also on hand to take pictures of the session when he wasn’t out enjoying the waves between rolls of film. •Jersey brothers Matt and Shane Jost were recently picked up by Jolly Roger Surf and Sport in Brigantine, New Jersey. Carl Mutschler, the owner of Jolly Roger, reported that the two siblings have had breakout seasons in the ESA Bodyboarding divisions in South Jersey, and both sponged their way to the 2000 Eastern Surfing Championships at the Avon Pier in North Carolina’s Outer Banks on September 23rd-29th. •Another smokin’ sponger, menehune Ray Pearson, blew up in the Easterns by pulling into a third place finish, which isn’t bad considering it was his first time competing in the championships. The winner of the Men’s Longboard division in the event was none other than CNC’s Chris Crockett, who traded his lid for a log. According to ESA Director Beth Schub, the CNC district produced a
Chris Crockett -- Johnson
grand total of fourteen finalists in the championship event. Her oldest son, Justin Schub, crawled out of the cobwebs to compete in the Rob Machado Memorial Contest held at Cardiff by the Sea on September 30th. The North Carolinian adjusted to the cold California conditions with no problem and carved his way to second place. •The “Save the Surf” rock and movie benefit staged at The Fast Lane in Asbury, New Jersey, on October 7th, raised money to protect and preserve the Tres Palmas beachfront in Rincon, Puerto Rico. Surfer’s Environmental Alliance sponsored the event that featured original bands Think, The No Stars, and Jah Works. Over 200 people opened their wallets and came to show their support while watching two of the most classic surf flicks of the ‘70s—George Greenough’s groundbreaking water photography in the Innermost Limits of Pure Fun and Albert Falzon’s quintessential psychedelic surf fantasy Morning of the Earth. •Surf Angel Clothing is in need of reps in the New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia areas. Anyone interested can call Ethan Murray at 619-428-4808 for more information. •Eastern Lines’ Don Tarrant fulfilled his obligations and crammed in fifteen appointments at the Atlantic City Action Sports Retailer trade show in Jersey during early September. However, he missed the best day of surf all summer. Looking at the waves in front of the A.C. Convention Center that morning made him want to shine his duties, but Don, as well as fellow buyers Pat Castellano, Russ Wilkie, and Paul Willever, gave up their water time to do hard time, missing the perfect six-foot surf. •Kill Devil Hills’ John McDanel was also busy at both the Jersey and Orlando shows and is now repping for Ocean Minded Sandals in Virginia and the Carolinas. John reported catching an epic Outer Banks session in October with all-day offshores. The early season nor’easter produced solid five-foot surf and filthy stand-up tubes. McDanel is also rockin’ the road for Tavarua and Ezekiel clothing. •The same low that moved off the northern coast sent perfectly lined-up glassy waves to the Hatteras Lighthouse. Over a dozen core locals, including Scott Busby, Kevin McCabe, Donny Jones, and Sunny “Boy” Quidley, grabbed pole position at First Groin, picking off the best of the oil slick, overhead barrels. In the damage department, Preston “Flash” Barley broke his board in the heavy surf, and Thad Midgett lost a patch of hair and bruised his neck when he was pounded headfirst into the sandbar.
Ben Morris -- Stone
•Long-time North Jersey surfer Jack Green is offering fresh gourmet seafood at his newly opened restaurant named, cleverly enough, Captain Jack’s Restaurant. Be sure to order the killer calamari at Ocean Grove’s newest fixture located on Main Street. Congratulations and good luck also go out to Jack’s sister, Jen Green, who married longtime boyfriend Paul Grigg on October 6th. Another Jersey tomato tying the knot this fall is the Captain’s close friend, Asbury Park lifeguard Gene Imbimba. •The newest addition to New Jersey’s Point Pleasant Beach High School’s scholastic sports is a surf club that will compete in the NSSA Northeast High School Conference. Before the club was formed, surf team members Alex Califano, Robert Hoste, Aubrey Dilatush, Mark Passarella, Ryan Ballou, and Evan Mayer successfully restored a traditional Barnegat Bay racing boat for Duckboat World’s 2000 Regatta to raise the $5,000 necessary to fund the team. The fall schedule will have the Garnett Gulls’ squad in eight regular season competitions, including the Northeast Conference Championships on October 29th in Ocean City, NJ.
Raven Lundy -- Swegles
•The Delaware district of the ESA has recently launched the Delmarva Scholastic Surf Challenge to actively involve students in competition. The third contest of the series was held on the north side of the Indian River Inlet on September 30th and was rewarded with three to six-foot waves. Katie Eberle of Langley was a standout in the Girls’ division, taking first over Arin Richter. •Congrats to North Carolina’s Ben Morris of Atlantic Beach for graduating from the N.C. School of Fine Arts. After graduation, Ben bailed to Costa Rica for two months and caught the Caribbean side going ballistic. The graduate reported scoring Salsa Brava bombing with ten-foot backs before heading home. Upon return, the talented Mr. Morris relocated to Wilmington to use his artistic ability painting sets for Universal Studios. •The Virginia ESA district was well represented at the United States Surfing Championships on the south shore of Oahu. Congratulations go to Bobby Holland, who placed second in the Senior Longboard, and Wes Petticrew who landed forth in Junior Bodyboard. The VB crew, including Andrew Myer, Drew Moye, Raven Lundy, Granger Clark, Jim Provo, and USSF executive and competitive director Paul West, all made the long haul to surf the fabled Ala Moana Bowl. After the USSC, Vah Beach’s Mike Schirmer, Drew Moye, and Bobby Holland continued on to the Gold Coast of Oz with the ESA All Star Team. The brigade scored excellent waves, met heaps of friendly Aus-holes, and dared to sample the legendary vegemite, one of the known world’s most horrible tasting foods. •Big-wave surfing legend Greg Noll, as well as world renown surfers Robert August, Corky Carroll, Duke Boyd, and Wingnut, came out in full force for Surfrider’s annual classic longboard contest at Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey, to benefit Surfrider Foundation’s Jersey Shore chapter. The event started on September 24th with glassy three-foot waves and slowly built to overhead during the course of the contest. For the second time in two years, Kingpin Scotty Duerr won the competition in the flawless conditions.  Compiled by John Steinhorst

SE BLAHS

Team Whipping
The Central Florida Surf Expo in late September drew a multitude of shop owners and companies as well as a plethora of silicone sisters and savory suds to the Orange County Convention Center. The twelve-foot Reef/ Hurley vert ramp and freestyle crash course added to the excitement, but the after-party at the Orlando Watersports Complex proved to be the highlight with a wakeboarding big air contest and the premier of Justin Purser’s recently released surf flick, All Tha Way Live (check this issue’s Peepshow for video review). However, the talk of the Expo was the powerful hurricane developing in the Gulf of Mexico that brought double-overhead surf to the Florida Panhandle. The center of Hurricane Gordon moved north through Cedar Key and blew offshore winds that eventually flattened the short-lived tropical swell by the following morning. According to photographer and longtime surfer Kevin Hall, Destin received the best of the swell with one day of double to triple-overhead surf and 25-mph offshores. The waves at the NCO were firing, so Kevin grabbed his big-wave gun and handed the camera to wife Linda Hall, an accomplished professional photog who captured some truly amazing pics (turn to the hurricane feature for proof). Innerlight’s Kelly Newsome, who recently landed a position with the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Agency, welcomed the huge surf. Others who were comfortable in the large waves were Mike Koran, Mark Sweeney, and brother Mike Sweeney, who bagged the biggest bomb of the day.
Jerry Wilson -- Desanze
•On a much sadder note, a memorial paddle-out was held for well-known Central Florida competitor Christopher Gooch. The fourteen-year-old Melbourne Beach surfer disappeared during a stormy drift session, after an early season cold front passed by in October. Gooch was knocked unconscious by his board and was unable to be rescued by his friends in the extreme conditions. Nearly 800 people gathered at daybreak near Atlantic Drive Beach on October 7th, and an estimated 150 surfers paddled out to pay respects to the heralded NSSA competitor. •Congratulations to ESM Associate Editor Chris Towery, who married his girlfriend of five years, Valerie Willingham, on October 14th in Daytona Beach. Chris held his bachelor party at the most consistent and uncrowded break in Central Florida—Orlando’s Typhoon Lagoon wavepool. The entire ESM crew showed up to ride the crystal clear peaks, and Chief Photographer Tom Dugan was seen whipping it and claiming the chlorine closeouts during the celebratory sesh. In other ESM news, Photog Jason Le Blanc recently moved from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, with his wife and seven-month-old son Tyler James. The new, full-time father plans to open his own photo studio in the area and continue shooting portraits and weddings. Le Blanc also reported catching unreal surf around the island with lots of points, coves, and low-key crowds. When he’s not changing diapers, chances are he’s catching chilly, head-high waves at an unnamed right pointbreak that wraps for two-hundred yards into a huge rivermouth.
Sean Slater -- Carey
•Congrats go out to Tybee Island, Georgia’s, Jerry “Mullet” Wilson who made the 2001 ESA All-Star Team. The High Tide Surf Shop and Kechele Surfboards teamrider joins Georgia’s only other All-Star waverider, bodyboarder Ryan Hruda. •John “Fabio” Allison, the bass player for the Orlando rock band Cleanser, was last seen getting spit out of a barrel in Satellite Beach, Florida, during a late September swell. The morning brought overhead sets with sideshore wind, so Fabio and Cracker Surfboards’ shaper Johnathan “Dirty” Myers headed north for the clean, uncrowded lines at Cherry Downs Park on the southerly facing shores of Cocoa Beach. •According to East Coast team rep, Sean Slater, Volcom’s annual Tour de Right Coast that started in Ocean City, New Jersey, on August 16th, ended in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on September 3rd after hitting just about every beach and bar between the two states. The motorhome tour once again combined Volcom Jellyfish Contests, parties with bands cKy and The Line, autograph signings, photo shoots, pro contests, and premiers of the new surf video Computer Body for an intense conglomeration of madness. In addition to his duties with Volcom, Sean will now be representing upstart eyewear concern Von Zipper Sunglasses in the Sunshine State. •Long-time South Florida lensman and Centro America afficionado George Hurchalla recently launched his own website www.spotximages.com that displays a wide variety of photos of just about every action boardsport imaginable. The new site shows tons of top quality snow, skate, surf, and wakeboarding images for your browsing pleasure. George reported that the South Florida crew received a whole week of solid surf in September from the distant Hurricane Florence and has posted the images as positive proof.
Anthony Osmant -- Hilke
Impact Surfboards’ George Williams was charging the shoulder-high peaks at Fort Pierce Inlet for the beginning of the swell. However, the next day Stuart picked up a couple feet more with inconsistent but surprisingly big sets. The following days remained in the chest-high range, and Hurchalla’s brother Jim, who is almost 6’10”, managed to pull into a dry backside barrel at a local South Florida secret spot on the best day of Florence’s aqueous bounty. •South Carolina’s Chris Birch from McKevlin’s Surf Shop sent word that the shop has picked up two new teamriders, Girls’ State Champion Holly Nettles and current All-Star member Peter Kassa. Congrats go out to Birch’s girlfriend, Heidi Boehm, for graduating with a degree in studio art from the College of Charleston, and to McKevlin’s ding repair technician Jim Ross, who recently became engaged to Misha Jackson. Additional reco should also go out to McKevlin teamrider Anthony Osmant, who placed sixth in the Easterns’ Open Men’s division, made the respected All-Star Team and recently picked up sponsorship with Flexdex Skateboards. •This autumn’s first cold front set record low temperatures in the 40s all the way down to South Texas, and with the cold came onshore, victory-at-sea conditions following the passing of Hurricane Keith in early October. After the third day of watching the washing machine-like surf, South Padre Island, Texas, surfer Tim Scott decided to brave the turmoil and 30° wind chill, but Tim wished he had stayed put on the beach spectating. Upon reaching the outside after an arduous paddle, Tim took off on an overhead wave that pitched him over the falls and promptly snapped his leash. After another lengthy and tiring swim back to the shore, the futile search for his longboard began but to no avail. Lost at sea was the verdict. However, after three days of sulking, the South Texas surfer was jubilant when his board was discovered five miles down the beach and returned by a local fisherman who heard of Scott’s bad luck through the grapevine. Compiled by John Steinhorst

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