Mantunuk -- McGovern

The heaviest news on all fronts was the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers and the Pentagon—the most devastating assault on U.S. soil ever. The hijackings sent a shockwave of fear, anger, and paranoia through the hearts of American citizens everywhere. While gun and gas mask businesses are booming, surf manufacturers have only begun to see the fallout awaiting our industry. Rumors of company bankruptcy, drastic layoffs, and team trimmings continue to circulate in a world gone mad.

•In a twisted bit of irony for Northeastern surfers, September 11th turned out to be one of the best days of surf this year. Rhode Island’s Russ George, Time Bomb sales rep for the Northeast, shared shimmering green, eight-foot waves atMatunuk, courtesy of Hurricane Erin, with a slew of Jersey Devils—Time Bomb’s Chenzo, NJS’s Tim Ashton, eastcoastsurfer.com’s Brent Dolan, and Kevin Langevine. The crew was in town filming a sequel to the New Jersey video, What Exit?, appropriately called What Exit? ‘02, and they received a warm welcome from the Pt. Judith crew. Chenzo couldn’t say enough good things about the great vibes the Rhode Island regulars carried, particularly Rizzo and the boys, who helped the Jerseyites fit in with the surliest of RI locals.

Bill Woodward -- Ready

•While others might not be doing so well, business is good for Time Bomb, according to Chenzo. Apparently, so many surfers are breaking glass lately from Jersey north, board sales and ding repair orders are through the roof. •In the wake of the tragedy, Hurley rep Doug Orehosky was one of hundreds of New York residents who worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross. Doug also solicited clothing donations from Hurley, Quiksilver, Roxy, Volcom, Billabong, and Sole Tech (Etnies). Huge thanks to all companies and individuals who volunteered goods or services. Anyone else looking to help in this time of crisis can reach Doug at 631-422-2692.

Jeff Brogan -- Ready

•In brighter New York news, Doug’s son, Daniel Louis Orehosky turned one-year-old this past July and spent every day of his first season surfing with his dad and exhibiting classic East Coast stoke from sunup to sundown.

•Bridget from the Rhode Island Surfrider Foundation thanks all those who attended this summer’s Save The Bay Swim, which featured their biggest Surfrider volunteer turnout ever.

•Julie Brown from Board Stiff, out of Provincetown, MA, said Rusty Surfboards have been outselling every other shape this year, and their “Desert Isle” designs have been by far the most popular. Julie swears shop buyer Kris Brown has been ruling all the Cape Cod breaks from Meadow Beach to Marconi, ripping like a grom on his 6’4” D.I.

•New York City’s, Millennium Skate Park is completed, and Deputy Chief of the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation Eddie Vargas is thrilled with the community response. Daniel Pensyl, Paul Kearney and supervisor Alex Valich were hired as park attendants, and according to Vargas, there have been no grafiti incidents in the vicinity since the park opened, further validating skateboarding as a positive alternative for city youth. For information on Millennium, contact Citywide Skatepark Coordinator KC Sahl at 718-965-8971.

Michael rowed the boat ashore...Hallelujah! -- Ready

•In other Northeastern skate news, Mike Blaskey at B-17 told us The Planet Earth, Foundnation, Alien Workshop, and Toy Machine teams wowed the Woodbridge, CT, crowd all summer and fall in B-17’s 7000-square-ft park, which prides itself on being boarder friendly and blader deadly. Speaking of which, if you get the chance, check out 411 Skateboarding Magazine’s Volume #46, which features a 20-second segment on the park. In more B-17 news, teamriders Chris Lacko and Sylas Fynch recently picked up sponsorship from Adio and DC Shoes, respectively. And finally, Mike wants to thank Flyboards’ Paul Baymore for one of the happiest surfing days of his life. Paul shaped Mike a magic 6’4” Rocket Fish which he tested out in sizeable but windblown Narragansett juice.

•Dana Knowles posted the following warning for all Maine and New Hampshire area surfers: “I’ll be done with my schooling in Florida this spring, and I’ve been training, so get all the Short Sands waves while you can. Especially you, Sam Boardman and Bill Woodward!” Maine Stream Surfboards, shaped by Rich Dennis, will sponsor Dana’s comeback.

•Elaine Barse of The Green Room in Vinyard Haven, MA, said a few new lines killed it this summer and fall including Mindless Reaction and Clive backpacks, but nothing got the customers’ attention like OBEY, a new clothing label bearing the image of the late Andre The Giant’s massive cranium. Elaine added that shop regular Even Armer quit surfing competitively to concentrate more on his stonecutting business, but don’t think his waveriding skills will deteriorate. After all, Even just bought property in Costa Rica, and he’s eagerly anticipating his first winter without ice-cream headaches. Finally, The Green Room sent manager Belinda Ritchie to Las Olas Surf Camp in Mexico. And with instruction provided by the beautifully tough Surf Divas, Belinda is sure to come back from Mexico ripped and ripping.

•Wheels and Waves, out of Wells, ME, has new ownership. Tom and Sandy Noble sold the surf/ skate shop to Vic Brazen and Bob Morrell. Vic, of Poconos, PA, was a longtime snowboarding/ skateboarding photographer before setting foot into the surf industry. He says Wheels and Waves already has a skate team with three riders going to Nationals, but as of yet, they have only one shop surfer, Dustin Boutet. If you’re in the neighborhood of Wheels and Waves, stop in and show your colors.

•Where have all our heros gone? Why, Maine, of course. During a late September swell, local photog Jim Ready was shooting surfers Jeff Brogan, Daymeon Koulas, Matt Hazeltine, Mark Anastas, and Steve Hopkins at Wells Harbor Jetty when a clueless crew in a small boat headed out into the overhead surf. Sure enough, the vessel flipped over, and the two fishermen faced certain death before Ready directed his crew to paddle out to bring them ashore. This proves that the world is truly a better place with surfers in it. By Matt Pruett

“The Year of the Shark” continues to haunt Right Coasters, and no beach is safe—believe it. On Saturday, September 1st, 10-year-old David Peltier became the first person killed by a shark in Virginia history and the first to die from an attack this year. Surfing with his father off Sandbridge, David bled to death after an unknown species tore into his leg, fatally slicing his femoral artery. Two days later, a Russian couple on vacation in Avon, NC, were attacked by what scientists believe was a bull shark. Doctors pronounced the man dead on the scene while the woman suffered several serious injuries, including a severed left foot. Upon further investigation, ESM learned that only a day after the Avon attacks, Von Zipper rep John McDaniel was surfing in Nags Head, NC, with Zack Garcia and Steve Graves when two toothy predators kept circling the trio, refusing to let any of them out. Eventually, the guys made it shoreward and returned later for a fish-free, albeit ominous, afternoon session.

Brad Beach -- Johnson

•Also in North Carolina, Jerry Upchurch resigned as Director of the ESA’s Southern North Carolina District, which has been taken over by Steve and Mary Ann Mangiacapre. The district’s mailing address will remain the same, but the new hotline number is 910-452-3033.

•The September 11th disaster forced New Jersey’s Tim Ashton to modify his traveling itinerary this fall. Tim planned an extended trip to Australia and Fiji, but with the airline industry FUBAR, Tim took to the road instead. He loaded up his boards and bros and scoured the East Coast from Rhode Island to Florida in search of 2001 Hurricane Season’s best punches. By the time the first chills rippled Atlantic waters, Ashton and company were on their way to California and Mexico, with a necessary sidetrack to New Orleans’ finest watering holes.

•Big cigars to Rusty and Reef Mid-Atlantic rep Brad Beach, whose wife Amy gave birth two weeks early to their second son, the 7lb, 6 oz Carson Beach.

•Additional congrats go out to Maryland surfer and East Coast Legend Skip Savage, who won the East Coast Longboard Championships using Surf Inc’s new Turbo Tunnel Fin. A Brainchild of Bob “The Greek” Bolen, The Turbo Tunnel is a specialized skeg featuring a hollowed-out chamber allowing for a more streamlined flow. To check one out, call 714-960-6672.

Jerry And Shane Upchurch -- Dugan

•Elaine Molloy, store manager of the new Long Beach Island, NJ, shop Surf Shack, told ESM they sent a few of their team members to Barbados on a photo shoot headed by pro rider Randy Townsend. In addition to serving as Surf Shack’s team captain, Randy is also repping for McCrystal Surfboards as well as managing their East Coast team. Call Randy at 609-713-6209 for more information on the boards that helped Californian star Timmy Curran learn to fly.

•Another shack creating a fresh buzz is The Wave Shack, out of Nags Head, NC. Shop manager Mary Perkins said Wave Shack’s virgin season was more successful than expected, partly due to the pierside charisma of their surf team. As of press time, The Wave Shack’s amateur set consists of Christian Kane, Nigel Haynes, Travis Sutherland, and Jeremy Peters. The rest of the WS ams, including groms and spongers, will be determined following a contest held at a later date.

•After a 10-year relationship, Billy Hume split company with Whalebone Surf Shop to ride for The Wave Shack. A longtime friend to co-owner Len Gaskill, Billy signed on as the shop’s sole professional to boost WS’s image. “Billy’s been a great friend for years and will remain one in the future,” said Whalebone’s Jim “Biggie” Vaughn of the switch. “It was time for him to make a decision, and he did. We’ll miss him, but there’s definitely no hard feelings. We wish Billy all the luck in the world.” Guess they don’t call him “Biggie” for nothing.

Jeremy Peters -- Diggs

•From Allenhurst, NJ, Bill Rosenblatt let ESM know Spellbinders employee Noah Rosenblatt is currently living in Bondi Beach, Australia, as an exchange student at the University of Sydney. He sent Bill and the rest of the crew a postcard detailing “the longest wave of my life,” at Byron Bay, “killer barrels at Noosa Heads”, “And a boat trip around the Great Barrier Reef.” From Oz, Noah plans on hitting Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and Hawaii before returning home to attend his final semester at Rollins College in Orlando, FL. Boy, we can’t wait to see what Noah’s next postcard will say about the magical chlorine cylinders of Typhoon Lagoon.

•In other Jersey news, The Garden State recently joined Georgia as one of the first states with access to beach water quality information via the internet. New Jersey teamed up with Surfrider Foundation, Earth’s 911, and the EPA to provide current beach location, condition, and quality status using the BEACH information system, which can be accessed by logging on to www.CLEANUP.org

•Congratulations to longtime VB ripper Brad Harrell who is now engaged to his sweety, Jen Panza. The two will marry this spring, and ESM expects invitations to the reception (or at least the bachelor party)

.•New Jersey’s Sammy Zuegner tripped to Costa Rica with fellow Ripzone teamer Randy Washburn and marketing manager Paul McGrath this fall to shoot an upcoming catalog. The trio caught fun Playa Hermosa and Escondida, where they watched local homeowner Shea Lopez make a mess of the pristine, Pacific waterworld just beyond his hillside frontyard. Washburn then returned to VB to get the hook from Headrush.

Scrappy Foo Zuegner -- Coffey

•In Philly news, Fairman’s, the city’s premier skate, snow, and surf shop, saw a constant flow of skateboarding superstars in their shop this summer and fall. From welcoming the Baker team invasion—consisting of Andrew Reynolds, Jim Greco, and Fairman’s own Mike Maldonado—to sponsoring East Coast maniac Bam Margera’s CKY3 Sneak Preview Party—featuring Tony Hawk and other pros—the Fairman’s crew had plenty to keep them grinding away during the high season.

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica -- Dugan

•Congratulations to Emerald Isle Surf Shop, who won the Buddy Pelletier Memorial Longboard Classic team competition held this summer at the Iron Steamer Pier. First place individual EISS winners included Raul Gonzalez, Thomas Capps, and Carl Heverly.

•Mike Schirmer is pissed! After spending the majority of his summer in Southern California, he and Hurley rider Brendan Petticrew returned to Virgina Beach to find the normally booming town dead lame... and we don’t mean First Street Jetty’s waves. “All the chicks have disappeared,” he whined. “Girls are the best thing VB had going for it, and now they’re gone.” Like a deprived boxer in training, the lack of loving and a case of D.S.B. may be just what Mike needed, as he annihilated the competition at the K-Coast/ HIC contest in Ocean City, Maryland, and won a plane ticket to Hawaii. Maybe in the islands he can finally find some relief at Femme Nu.

•With all the extra time on his hands (literally), Schirmer also relayed to us that Sandbridge’s Andrew Meyer moved permanently to Imperial Beach, CA, to boost his surfing career. With the industry as unstable as it is now, however, the WRV teamrider may soon be seen selling oranges on the side of the PCH whilst pursuing his dream of becoming a professional photo slore.

•Zeke Sanders’ big boy pants get bigger by the day. The Mid-Atlantic Team Manager for Hurley recently took over the same duties for Globe.

•Be on the lookout for 11-year-old microgrom Michael Dunphy, who just picked up sponsorship from Oakley. The freshest in a dreadfully short line of preteen Vah Beach rippers, Michael is thrilled to finally be thermonuclearly protected. Compiled by Matt Pruett

The 2001 Hurricane Season finally showed its face on the East Coast, and luckily for property owners and surfers alike, she was all smiles through mid-October. From Edgewater, FL, Erie Surfboards rider Steve Zima caught pumping surf with friend Jamie Burch in North Carolina before heading up to Belmar, NJ, where he hung with Bill and the Eastern Lines crew as well as Doug Phillips of Blue Collar Surfwear. Steve then flew to Puerto Rico in hopes of intercepting waves from Tropical Storm Erin. Unfortunately, the storm dissipated before reforming in the North Atlantic, so all Steve caught was urchin spines and stomach-high windswell with a pack of bodyboarders. Needless to say, he was stoked to get back to the Sunshine State, where an overhead session at Mark Realty courtesy of Hurricane Gabrielle more than made up for his PR bummer.

Kipp Newton -- Dugan

•Bob Bulatowicz Surfboards teamrider Kipp Newton also scored some Gabrielle juice, driving over from Venice, FL, to catch the swell at Grumpy’s. He and teammate Van Gerrard enjoyed a whole day of glassy six-footers. However, surfing similar conditions at 16th Street in Cocoa Beach, Van was attacked from behind by an estimated 10-foot shark. The beast chomped on his foot, but his board’s fins kept the jaws from completely clamping down. Nevertheless, Van suffered 25 puncture wounds to his foot and ankle but still left the following week for Hatteras to compete in the ESA Championships. And good thing for Van, the contest moved south of Avon’s notoriously sharky waters back to Buxton.

Jensen Callaway -- Martin

•Central Florida shaper Glenn A. Klugel was extremely stoked to have his brother Jeff home from judging ASP Tour events. With the cancellation of the WCT’s European leg this fall, the two stole more waves than usual at First Peak. GAK also proudly welcomes Liquid Addiction and Groove Tube as his two newest Florida dealers, and he continues to look for carriers in North Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Anyone interested in picking up his shapes can log on to www.gaksurfinc.com

•In retail happenings, Dusty Simmons reports his RC’s Surf Shop relocated their store approximately 1 1/2 miles north of their former location. While the phone number will remain 321-773-1800, the shop is now settled at 252 A1A in Satellite Beach, FL. (Huh?) Just a few blocks south of the Patrick Air Force Base Causeway. (Where?) Next to Dominos’ Pizza. (Um, what?) Right next to Tootsie’s Cabaret. (Oh, okay. Now we know exactly where RC’s is at.)

•Another movement worth mentioning, is the Beach Culture Gallery of Surfing Art, now seated off A1A in downtown Cocoa Beach, FL. Drop in and check out fabulous works by Severson, Maurus, and Nemo, among others. You can also get on an invite list for gallery parties by calling 321-784-0720.

•In Alabama news, a unanimous mail ballot voted in Chad Harris as the new co-director for the ESA Alabama/ Florida Gulf Coast District. Away from the tent and into the water, however, Chad, Ted Brooks, and Todd Flanders enjoyed uncrowded, double-overhead waves at Terry’s Pier, the result of Tropical Storm Barry. With the buoys hitting 13 ft, the swell further dispelled the myth that the Gulf is a hopeless flatlands.

•Still wiping the salt off his third-place 2001 US Champs trophy, Treasure Coaster Jensen Callaway inked a deal with Quiksilver sponsoring him through all of next season’s amateur events.

Monica and Regis -- Dugan

•Another Floridian getting the nod from Quik was Fernandina Beach, FL’s, Brady McKenzie, who is a wise investment according to Matt Kechele.

•Kechele teamriders Danny Estes and Jerry Burdine traveled to Japan this fall to compete in the Irago Pro, a WQS 3-star. After bombing out in early rounds, the two trekked around Shikoku in search of surf, eventually finding themselves at the island’s premier wave, Kaifu, the Backdoor of Japan.

•Daytona Beach, FL’s, Dave and Jill Hettel are proud to announce the birth of their 8 lb, 5 oz baby boy, Christian Charles Hettel. According to Dave, there’s a five-foot MTB twin-fin already pulled aside as Christian’s first “longboard.” Dave himself picked up a 9’6” classic ‘60s replica from former Daytona Beach Surf Shop boardbuilder George Miller. George was a ghost shaper for Dewey Weber in years past, but he’s now back carving foam in Volusia County. His boards are available through Mad Dog Surf Shop. Aside from boards and babies, Dave started Primal Colors this fall, a mural and faux finish company. He completed a project at Daytona’s new, 20-story, art/ deco luxury resort, The Ocean Walk, including three large murals plus graphics on a wall measuring 170’ x 40’, for which he enlisted the help of Ponce Inlet’s top goofyfoot, “Junior Enforcer” JC Korin.

•Indian Shores, FL’s, Brian Levine is now handling all Florida’s repping duties for Sanuk Sandals. He and Assistant Sales Manager Vanessa English stopped by the office to tell ESM about the company’s finalized deal with Hawaiian pro Shane Dorian, who will be working with Sanuk’s design department. Be on the lookout for their new line, which will have its coming-out party at the January Surf Expo.

•Brian Boyle is the new Florida sales guy for Fyasco. He and New Jersey’s Todd “Boone” McCamy want to get the word out about the new surf/ skate company. Boyle reports that St. Augustine, FL’s, The Surf Station is one of the first to carry clothing by Fyasco so stop in and give ‘em a look.

•In other rep news, St. Augustine’s Tim Crouch recently moved to Indialantic to show Counter Culture’s alternative line of clothing. Tim is also handling Pro-Lite for North Florida. You can call him at 321-439-8282, or fax him at 321-773-2885.

•Sebastian Mobb Deepest David Speir, Todd Morcom, and Bill Hartley returned from a trip to the Mentawais with Mark Putchaty, Mark Millian, and Marty Callabrese, where they scored unreal surf, even by Indo standards. H, however, tore ligaments in his ankle pulling into a backside barrel at Macaronis. The injury left him grounded for weeks, meaning more waves for kiddy bowlers, right? Yeah, right.

•If you looked close enough, you might’ve seen Regis Jupinko, who was in Indialantic, FL, this fall after shaping his 500 Fly Surfboards quota in New Jersey. Before returning home to Playa Hermosa, Regis visited friend Tom Dugan, assisting the ESM Chief Photographer with international supermodel shoots. Hey, it’s a dirty job... but damn Regis for getting to do it!

•Congratulations to The Hawaiian Tropic Open Ocean Crossing Team—Craig Snell and Rob DeLaune of Key West, FL, Jim McCrady of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Michael O’Shaughnessy of Winter Park, FL,—who broke the distance record for the sport this summer. The foursome averaged 5.6 mph during the 20-hour paddle from Marina Hemingway, Cuba, to Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West.

Mark Putchaty -- Callabrese

•And a final farewell goes out to Monty Albury, who died on September 20th, near his home of Elbow Cay, in the Abacos, Bahamas. Monty was a wonderful ambassador to countless East Coast surfers throughout the years, who stayed at the family’s quaint cottages fronting legendary Garbonzos Reef, and he will truly be missed. Longtime friend Randy Richenberg had this to add: “He was just a great guy, and a good friend. His whole family is a wonderful group of people. It’s sad to see Monty pass away.”

•Surf Central’s Doug Pippins would like to announce the hottest additions to his surf team: Justin Baker, Justin Rogge, and Trent Finfrock. According to Doug, these are some of the best teens to come out of Stuart, FL, in a while.

•Finally, in South Carolina news, McKevlin’s manager Scott Kirste returned from another successful Hatteras road trip where he tested out his beloved new Lynn Shell shape in clean, overhead Frisco tubes. Riding shotgun with Scott was HIC teamrider Peter Kaasa who also picked up his newest shape—“a 5’6” you could hang from your rearview mirror,” commented Scott. Compiled by Matt Pruett