•Speaking of Bunger, employee Nick Collins spent a few days at ESM Co-owner Tom Dugan’s house during his spring break. Highlights included the Ron Jon’s/ Robert August Easter Surf Fest and a bikini contest at the infamous Coconut’s, where Nick was lucky enough to sit on stage with the many bubbling beauties.

•Another one of Tom’s Northeast buddies, Nick Joeckel from Montauk, NY, recently got back from Mal Pais, where he caught head-high-plus surf every day, topping off an epic Puerto Rican/ Costa Rican winter surfari. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any better, Nick returned to find his homebreak Turtles going off. Meanwhile, Dugan says “Hello, old friend” to another flat Florida summer.

•In other Empire State news, Bruce Bailey is just getting back in the surf after recovering from a broken back (ouch!) and intensive knee surgery this winter. Upon healing, he plans on immediately catching up on lost water time by tutoring young Trip Patterson through a worldly homeschool experience in New Zealand and Bali this summer. And to think the idea of summer school used to bum you out.

•While vacationing in the British West Indies late this winter, ESM Assistant Photo Editor Donald Cresitello met Nantucket, MA’s, Christian del Rosario, who impressed Crusty with his butter-smooth longboard skills. Christian asked us to check out his website www.nesurfari.com, which we found is chock-full of digital surfing images from a variety of New England breaks. Rosario also wanted to let the East Coast surf community know he teaches Nantucket Island Surf School in the Massachusetts area. If you’re interested, log on to www.surfack.com.

•Big thanks to Buffalo, NY’s, Magilla Schaus who, after returning from Hawaii where he visited transplanted Laker Kenny “The Gremmie” Ashburn, gave ESM a huge plate of Great Lakes blahs: The winter of 2002 was only the fourth time in 70 years that the lakes didn’t partially or totally freeze over. So when a monster swell hit all five water masses in mid-March, with energy pulsing in the purple zone, dedicated Laker surfers were all over it. While 60-mph winds brought hurricane-force damage to Lakes Ontario and Superior on “Big Sunday,” causing serious erosion, closing roads and airports, not to mention toppling trees and power poles, Chris Furminger of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Drew Pearson of Ridgeway, Ontario, headed to Lake Erie. The two discovered large, rideable waves around the lee side of Point Albino, which ordinarily serves as a boating harbor. Even 32-degree water temps and a ferocious wind chill factor weren’t enough to deter the hardy surfers.

•In other Great Lakes news, The Great Lakes Surfing Association, out of Holland, MI, wants all surfers to be on the lookout for Step Into Liquid, which will be released to theaters worldwide sometime in July. The film will feature waveriding in Sheboygan, WI, and promises to be an eye-opener for those who have yet to see the surf potential in the inland US. Also in Sheboygan, the annual Dairyland Surf Classic will be held some time between the waiting period of August 3rd and September 2nd. Hey, do you have any idea how hard it is to get a swell in the middle of summer on the Great Lakes? ESM wishes a speedy recovery to Ashtabula, Ohio’s, Neal Luoma, who had to be treated at the Cleveland Clinic for surfer’s ear. According to our sources, Luoma had seen three different doctors before admitting himself into the clinic, all of whom were unaware his loss of hearing was caused by bone growth resulting from exposure to cold water. Wonder what those quacks would have to say about the dreaded nutrashes and nasodrains that come with extensive paddle-outs. Vince Deur, producer of Surf Michigan 1 and 2, is now working on another video documenting surfers on the Great Lakes. Be on the lookout for that to be released sometime in late 2002 or early 2003. Finally, Lakers Chris Henke and Kent Van Raalte joined Marylander Don Reeve on a spring trip to Puerto Rico, where they caught super-fun waves at Jobos. The trio wishes to thank all who helped make their excursion special. To connect with the Great Lakes surfing community, go to www.lakesurf.com.

•Congratulations to New York City, NY’s, Diana Wade on her bronze medal in the 2002 Pan American Surfing Games held at Margarita Island, Venezuela. The 16-year-old Push teamrider was one of three East Coast finalists, including Puerto Rican transplant Albert Munoz, who captured the gold in Kneeboard, and Wilmington, NC’s, Chris Brooks, who placed 5th in the Men’s Bodyboard division.

• Since he won the Red Bull Ice Break at Point Judith, RI, Boston, MA, surfer Tom Noda didn’t get to enjoy his winner’s check too long, as he had to give most of it back to retain his amateur status. Originally from Oahu, Hawaii, Noda says he might be moving back to The Rock at the end of the year as he was laid off right before the contest. Noda claims there’s not much more work opportunity in the islands than in New England, but “if you’re gonna struggle, you might as well struggle where it’s warm.”
-Compiled by Matt Pruett

It’s foolish to stereotype all surfers as bong-slurping Spicolis. In the same respect, athletes of other sports aren’t always the meatheads we assume them to be. Just ask Emerald Isle, NC’s, Hunter and Fisher Heverly, who won titles at both the AAU North Carolina State Wrestling Championships and State Middle School Wrestling Championships, then backed up their grappling achievements with respective sixth and seventh-place finishes at the NSSA East Coast Champs. Their dad, Roy Heverly, is also a former state wrestling champ, and he continues to crush egos in the Senior Men’s division of the ESA. So next time you see a guy jogging down the street in a rubber suit and ankle weights, think before you call him a dumb jock—he might surf better than you. Then again, he might just choke-slam you into a pile of broken glass.

•ESM Senior Photographer Bruce Chrisner recently added Robert August Clothing and Surfboards to his list of lines. The Chriz also reps for BZ, Futures Fins and Dregs Skateboards.

•Virginia Beach, VA’s, Chris Duncan of Covered would like to welcome Jason Helig as their National Sales Director. Jason will carry Covered’s Vadar, “the ultimate changing garment,” along with his usual lines, Counter Culture, Back Yard Boards, Sanuk, and SurfCo. Hawaii. Also keep an eye out for Covered’s new team, the Vadar Test Pilots, led by Mid-Atlantic rippers Sam Hammer, Jeff Myers, Ian Seymour, and Raven Lundy.

•Outer Banks prodigy Jesse Hines recently split with longtime sponsor HIC Surfboards to find a new home with JC Hawaii. He wishes to thank HIC shaper and stepfather Lynn Shell for all the support and momentum Lynn and the company have given him over the course of the past decade. Jesse was thrilled to announce that his sister Rachel and her surfer hubby Brad Beacham brought their first child, Emily Ackers Beacham, into the world on April 17th. “I always wanted to be called ‘Uncle Jesse’ like on The Dukes of Hazzard,” said a stoked Hines.

•In the immortal words of George Carlin, “What am I doing in New Jersey?” Chenzo from Time Bomb invites everyone to check out his retro “Daredevil” egg/ fish shape at www.timebombsurf.com or at his newest carrier, Middletown, NJ’s, Dosil’s, operated by Chris and Dave Dosil.

•Speaking of Dosil’s, Stone Tylyer Shapes will be available there and at Margate, NJ’s, Vitamin Sea Surf Shop. ST Shapes took a fun yet short-lived tour up the East Coast this spring, stopping at a number of shops from Maryland to Rhode Island in only six days. Representing the company in a valiantly sleepless fashion, Insomniac Hank never got a wink the entire trip but remained upright long enough to squeeze in a round of golf and beers with his Monmouth County, NJ, buddies. Move over Dave Attell!

•In other shop news, a new store catering to waveriders opened up on April 1st in Avon, NC... April Fools! Uh... seriously, though, Hatteras Island Boardsports set up shop the first of April, and they’re strapped for the summertime tourist invasion with shapes by Back Yard Boards and Local Motion and lines like DC Shoes, Counter Culture, and Rusty. Owners Seth Atkinson and Kevin Scalia already have a surf team in the works, headed by longtime Hatteras surfers Mark Newton and Tracey Derbin, both of whom will attack this year’s East Coast contest circuit. If you’re on the Banks this season, check out Hatteras Island Boardsports, or give the crew a call at 866-HIB-WAVE.

•New Jersey ripper Randy Townsend is now surfing for One West Clothing. And guess what else? You’re not.

•In other Jersey news, Donna Vittorelli and Angelo Pulini have assumed the helm of Co-Directors of the ESA-SNJ District. Former directors Lisa Roselli and Joe Grottola will be around throughout this year’s competitive season to assist with troubleshooting, but they still insist that any South Garden Staters wanting to help with setting up equipment for contests, tabulating, judging, mailing newsletters, or managing finances call the district office at 609-884-5277.

•Hotline Surfboards is pleased to announce the opening of their newest Virginia Beach location at 2701 North Mall Drive, next to Lynnhaven Mall. The new store will be a core skate shop focusing primarily on skateboard hardgoods, shoes, clothing, and accessories. Call Gurney or Cammi Collins at 757-428-6703 for more details.

•Baltimore, MD’s, Kenny “Gibber” Gibbs strayed far from the Aquarium this April, wedding his fiancee of four+ years, Kristi Guessford, in Bali, Indonesia, before returning to the states for a more debauchery-fueled reception. A current ESM Senior Photographer and six-year Florida resident, Gibber is now off with his new bride to San Francisco, CA, where he’ll pursue employment in the advertising field in between chilly sessions at Ocean Beach, provided he can hack the re-adjustment to a 4/3. ESM wishes the couple the best of luck in San Fran, but Gibber, if we come out there and find any rainbows painted on your surfboards, we don’t know you, okay?

•In other Delmarva news, big thanks to Chris Shanahan and Mark Pugh of Ocean City, MD’s, K-Coast Surf Shop, who provided us with the following Maryland blahs: The OC community would like to wish a fond farewell to local surfer/ musician Will Burns, who passed away suddenly in late April. He will be dearly missed. On a happier note, congratulations to Mark and his wife Sara, who just gave birth to their daughter Molly Pugh. K-Coast invites everyone to attend their 4th Annual K-Coast Surf Contest and Festival on June 22-23, 2002. All proceeds from the open event will go to charity, and the first-place winner will receive a plane ticket to Hawaii. Also be on the lookout this summer for the first-ever OC Import Car Show, which is sure to be a doozy; after all, it’s being planned by none other than Brad “B-Rad” Hoffman. Finally, congratulations to Ocean City, MD, surfer Kevin Rohe, who got engaged on a recent surf trip to the British West Indies.

•First it was Fabio, then Zoolander, then the Malloy brothers—and now, Bully! While picking his nose one day, North Carolina pro Billy Hume caught the attention of American Eagle Outfitters. In a blatant attempt to capitalize on Billy’s rugged-yet-burnt surfer-guy demeanor, modeling scouts for the company led him to a Raleigh, NC, studio. But after only one day of being typecast into a variety of beefcake poses, the unassuming surfer fled Raleigh and the modeling world forever; after all, Billy knows there’s more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. For now, he prefers to score photos the only way that comes natural to his Tarheel blood—gouging a nasty
cutback... or chugging a cold Bud, of course. ­Compiled by Matt Pruett

Chalk one up for South Carolina surfers! Myrtle Beach’s own Mike Hoisington bagged a $4,000 win down in Central America during the two-star WQS Billabong Pro Panama at Santa Catalina this spring. The former Surf City Surf Shop teamrider and 44th Street local moved out to Huntington Beach, CA, in the mid-’90s to pursue his pro surfing dream, and his victory in the grinding four to eight-foot righthanders marks his first WQS win—tangible proof that his career hopes are finally materializing.

•Fellow East Coaster and Melbourne Beach, FL, homeboy Kyle Garson also scored during the Pro Panama, placing just two slots behind Hoisington in 3rd. While he just missed the number one ranking in the Billabong, he’s been dominating contests back home in Central Florida. First, Kyle took down a bevy of talent to win the Easter Surf Fest at the Cocoa Beach Pier, and then he backed up his accomplishment with another victory down south at the Lazy Daze Pro-Am in Jupiter.

•Another Melbourne Beach, FL, local, George “Surfguy” Jones, wanted to welcome his latest instructors for this summer Surfguy’s Surf School. Local ladies Brenda Fried and Kira Sheppard will join regular teachers Jones, Derrick Swor, and April Grover, for the 2002 sessions. Both Fried and Sheppard come bearing hefty waveriding resumes as Brenda is a former ESM Who Da Girl, and Kira is the defending ESA Junior Women’s champion. For more information on the school or to make a reservation, call 321-956-3268 or go to surfguyssurf.com.

•Speaking of schools, Brevard County, FL, student-surfers can now earn scholarships towards college donated by three of the region’s most famous surf stars. Cocoa Beach High pupils can snag $500 donated by graduate and six-time World Champion Kelly Slater, while current World Champ CJ Hobgood and his bro Damien both offer $500 awards to Brevard waveriding scholars with minimum 2.8 GPAs. Although the 2002 deadline has already passed, you can find out how to apply for next year’s scholarships by calling the district office at 321-633-1000, ext. 756.

•Tim Malins at High Tide Surf Shop in Tybee Island, GA, recently expanded the shop’s skateboard department into an entire room at the back of the store. The new addition not only includes High Tide’s regular line of boarding gear, but it also holds a veritable museum of Georgia skate history. To memorialize the famous Savannah Slamma contests started in the late ‘80s, Tim and crew hung vintage decks of legendary riders like Stacy Peralta and Natas Kaupas, displayed hundreds of photos, and offered a collection of signed T-shirts and promo posters, as well. On the surf scene, Tim reports that local wave killers Phillip George and Jesse Palmer have been tearing apart the lineup at Tybee Pier during this spring’s consistent stretch of surf.

•In the Florida Panhandle, Fluid Surf Shop owner Tim Carr in Fort Walton Beach wanted to congratulate local surfer Garrett Spencer for his victory in the 2002 Florabama Triathlon. Residents of Florida and Alabama gathered this spring in Pensacola to battle it out in swimming, cycling, and running with 14-year-old Garrett handily trouncing the competition to capture the Boys division trophy. Tim also let ESM know that Mark Sweeny and his wife Jean just had their first child, a baby girl named Maile Elain.

•Also on the Gulf, congratulations to Big Wave Dave Laytart and the rest of the crew at Cove Skate and Surf in Brandon, FL, on 23 years of business in 2002. Besides the birthday, Dave reported that Cove recently signed five-year-old skateboard aficionado Chandler Powell. With Chandler barely out of the toddler stage, Dave said that when the kid hits the skatepark, everybody stops and watches his miraculous skills on the mini-ramp and street course. Possessing such incredible inborn talent and already sponsored by Powell Skateboards, Chandler looks likely to join former Cove rider Andrew Reynolds in the pro ranks in coming years.

•Another boardrider picking up new backing is St. Augustine, FL’s, Gabe Kling. Kling recently left his longtime relationship with Quiet Flight for Barga Surfboards out of Solana Beach, CA.

•Fellow North Floridian and aerialist extrordinaire Aaron Cormican of New Smyrna Beach also recently inked a new sponsorship deal with Pro-Lite International, and the company will release a Cormican signature model traction pad later this summer. Hopefully, coming from Smyrna’s fin-filled waters, Gorkin’s grip will come with Pro Lite’s latest shark repellant released on traction designs earlier this year.

•From our “Painfully Ironic” files, Ft. Lauderdale, FL’s, Eric Ritter, a vocal advocate for commercial shark feeding dive charters off Florida’s southeast coast, was attacked by a shark while chumming the ocean off Walker’s Cay in the Bahamas. Ritter was in the water attracting the predators using dead fish when a 325-pound bull shark chomped his left leg. He was rushed to a West Palm Beach hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and eventually lost a sizable chunk of his calf. Environmental groups like Surfrider had long criticized Ritter for endangering Florida’s swimmers and surfers with his support for the feeding charters, but it looks like his most persuasive opponents may be the animals themselves. It’s a funny thing how karma can come back and bite you in the ass.

•Tim McKevlin, owner of Folly Beach, SC’s, McKevlin’s Surf Shop is offering a $500 gift certificate and $500 in cash to the first person who can design a new icon for his store. Tim said that the the graphic should be something simple yet effective which “screams surf” like the Rip Curl wave or Nixon’s hourglass symbol. Send ideas to the shop at PO Box 266, Folly Beach, SC, 29439. In team news, Tim reports that Peter Kassa scored new sponsorship with Von Zipper, while both Peter and Holly Nettles have signed on with Headhunter.

•Now that Surfline is charging money to access their streaming cams, where can Central Florida waveriders go to get free, live footage of their favorite spots? Well, Prentice Murphy at SurfGuru assured ESM that his cams will remain free and readily available through 2002. Surfers can check them out at spots like Sebastian Inlet, Boardwalk, Spanish House and South Melbourne Beach, simply by logging onto
surfguru.com. ­Compiled by Chris Towery

With the resurgence of ‘80s culture popping up like crazy in today’s music and television programs, it was only a matter of time before the decade made its way back into the surf scene. No, webbed gloves and Zinca aren’t making a comeback (yet), but rather, our industry is witnessing the resurrection of one of the ‘80s most popular clothing lines, Sundek. The boardshort company hit its pinnacle of success in the late ‘70s and ‘80s while headed by the East Coast’s own Balsa Bill Yerkes and promoted by teamriders like Matt Kechele, the Slater brothers, Richie Collins, and Ken Bradshaw. But by the end of the decade, the brand disappeared from the US.

However, after great sales in Europe, Sundek will hit American shops once again this summer. The new biz will be run out of North Carolina by Alex Sing, co-owner of Rooftop Surf Shop, and he wanted to get the word out that a preview line is currently available for delivery. Call Alex at 910-653-3014 for info.

•Another comeback story finds Virginia Beach local-turned-Cali transplant Cam Powell back in business, as well. The Quiksilver teamer is happy to report that after months of rehabilitation from major reconstructive surgery on his ACL and MCL ligaments, he’s finally back in the water. Cam says his new knees feel better than ever, and he even notices a more bionic bite when hitting those Encinitas lips.

•In newborn news, Coastline’s Randy Wilhelm and wife Carol of Daytona, FL, proudly proclaimed the birth of their first son, Jacob Devon Michael on March 7th. Randy, a veteran waverider with 29 years under his belt at Ponce Inlet, said Jacob will be his third child behind daughters Adrianne and Julianne. In addition to the bambino, Randy wanted to get the word out that he’s now doing custom stickers, and interested parties can order them by calling 386-761-1414.

•Looking for a new wintertime surf destination? Well, a resort which recently opened in Central Peru may be just what you’re searching for. Fundo Centinela, located 2 1/2-hours north of Lima, is a secluded surf camp situated right on top of a perfect left pointbreak. The spot is consistent year-round, breaks up to 10-feet, and offers 400-meter-long rides. Fundo Centinela provides spacious bungalows easily fitting up to five people, and also boasts its own onsite restaurant and bar. To find out more or to make reservations, go to surfsurvival.com/fundocentinela.html.

•Florida pro skater Clay King has been busting his ass lately touring and working to support his new business Santa Fe Skateboarding Company. The fresh brand is a one-stop dealer for all your skate needs, supplying not only hardgoods like trucks, decks, and wheels, but also hooking you with T-shirts, caps, and stickers. Santa Fe has been up and running for over three months now, and teamriders Fred Tan, Dave Reasebeck, Mike Finnegan, and Bryan Flint have been touring the Sunshine State almost every weekend, promoting the biz and filming for their yet-to-be-titled debut video due out later this fall. Check out the entire line at santafeinc.com.

•Another video in the works is Joe Cheshire’s sequel to The Dirty South tentatively titled Fast Times. The flick, due out at the end of this summer, will feature footage of Mitch Baker at Lower Trestles, Mike Schirmer in Barbados, Mark Hunt and Guion Lee in Wrightsville Beach, and Jason Borte in Hatteras. Stay tuned to ESM for a future review.

•Mark McMullen at Longboard.net out of Newport, CA, announced the launch of the site’s new Jam online skate and surf catalog which will feature their 6 1/2-foot longskate, The Silverback, as well as a variety of other gear including surf racks, boardshorts, rash guards, T-shirts, and eyewear. In addition to the new cyber store, Longboard.net is a complete longboarding resource replete with a directory of shapers, news, surf reports, profiles of top pros and legends, photos, and much more. If you ride a plank, Longboard.net is one site you just gotta have bookmarked.

•On a sad note out of Atlantic Beach, NC, Paul Poston announced the tragic passing of local surfer Ryan Betz, who died in a car accident after falling asleep at the wheel late this April. A paddle-out was held at Fort Macon State Park with nearly 75 of his friends and family in attendance, including MJ Marsh, Dylan Stone, Erik Schub, as well as Matt and Dave Hardesty, who spread Ryan’s ashes across his hometown waters.

•Over on the Gulf Coast, St Pete, FL’s, Bob Bulatowicz of Bulatowicz Surfboards wanted to congratulate teamrider and rep Van Garrard for scoring first place in the Men’s Longboard division at the ESA Southeast Regionals in Fernandina Beach, FL, this spring. Gerrard is a Mississippi-born, Cocoa Beach resident, who’s also sponsored by Scott Sandals Hawaii and Ocean Sports World. To congratulate him yourself or to order some gear from Bulatowicz, call Garrard at 321-626-0844.

•In more news from Florida’s west coast, Clearwater’s Dustin Smith reported that Sand Key Park has been the hotspot for waves over the last few months. The Kechele and Suncoast Surf Shop teamrider told ESM that although the spring swells have been relatively sparse, Sand Key is one of the most consistent lineups with boostable ramps popping up on even the smallest days. Dustin and his photographer buddy Seth Pikel are working together, trying to put together images for a film project featuring the latest and greatest Gulf Coast surfing and skating talent. Hopefully, with the onset of hurricane season, the boys will see enough action to finally get the region the coverage it deserves.

•From our corrections department, Rich Price at Price Surfboard Designs wanted to let everybody know that his ad in last issue (Vol. 11, #80) listed the wrong phone number. The correct digits are 321-698-0115 or you can e-mail him at rpsurfdesigns@prodigy.net.

•The Rusty crew paid ESM a visit in April, dropping off a box of goodies for our employees before heading to the Inlet for their Rusty Test Drive mini-tour. The promotional run featured Rusty riders like Dave Speir, Jeff Hambrecht, Bill Johnson, Jason Vanderhoof, as well as Adam Wickwire. The teamers stopped at select breaks from Jacksonville down to Deerfield, and at each spot, they allowed locals and beachgoers to test-pilot various new shapes such as Flextails, Piranhas, CJ Hobgood’s tour boards, and many more high performance sticks. With each board receiving high marks from the public, look for these latest Rusty designs at a shop near you this summer. ­Compiled by Chris Towery