ESM

•Will Skudin is gnarly. The teenage big-wave star from Long Island, NY, just can't get enough of those coldwater widowmakers. In fact, Will placed an impressive 8th overall in the Pico Alto Big Wave Invitational in Peru, won by Peruvian legend Magoo De La Rosa. The waves were a legitimate 20-feet, and our hero celebrated his stellar summertime result with a two-week trip to the Mentawais with fellow Unsound

Sean Killarney and Will Skudin -- Nelson

teamrider Sean Killarney. Look for further documentation on that excursion soon.

•Speaking of Sean Killarney, the feisty New Yorker just moved to the North Shore of Hawaii for the rest of the year. Charge it boy!

•O'Neill rep Rob Jones--who's highlighted in this issue's A Good Rep department on Page 40--wishes to welcome the newest batch of New Englanders gracing the O'Neill squad: Cambridge, MA, ripper Zev Gartner and Rhode Island's Greg Levy. Additional congrats go out to Zev, who recently finished his hard-fought doctorate program at Harvard University. Nice work, Zevster--now go do something worthwhile with your time for a change. Geez, kids these days.

•In other rep haps, big Joe Humenik is the new Northeast sales guy for SMP America and Jetpilot Wetsuits. For more info, e-mail Joe at j_humenik@yahoo.com--or give him a buzz at 732-600-4673.

...Thanks, Marty! -- Mez

•The newest incarnation of www.nesurfari.com is up and running, and it's jam-packed with lots of dynamite goods. Log on today for a diverse docket of content--containing everything from vivid New England photos (including one particular standout shot of Puerto Rican railmaster Roberto Santos enjoying sheer New Hampshire bliss) and local deets to feature stories and restaurant reviews. Also, click on site head honcho Christian "Tito" del Rosario's other projects like Nantucket Island Surf School, www.surfack.com, and Hawaiian Lion (Christian's company that sells authentic long-sleeved Hawaiian T-Shirts), at www.hawaiianlion.com.

•Chris Rauscher checked in to let us know his amateur production company, Annex Films/ Idyl House, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently put out their first full-length release, titled The Team. Filmed over the winter of 2004, The Team is a gritty, 30-minute flick brimming with killer Maritime surf, original local music, and miscellaneous college pranks. Keep your eye out for this one at a shop near you.

•Is your wallet busting at the seams like Seinfeld character George Castanza's? If so, maybe it's time for a new one--but first throw out all those old movie ticket stubs already. April Bukofser from J.Fold, a new men's accessory company based in Manhattan, NY, informed us that their line of groovy, affordable wallets includes over 80 styles. Check them out at www.jfold.com.

•The 2004 Rhode Island State Championships took place at Narragansett Town Beach this August. Surfers of all ages competed for prizes, trophies, and ESA rating points. A few of the many winners included Jen LeClair, Mac Bennett, Peter Pan, and Drew Simmons. For more information, visit the ESA website at www.surfesa.org.

•Marine conservation analyst for the World Wildlife Federation in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Marty King, checked in to let us know that we made a word boo-boo in Issue #95's Red Bull Ice Break Feature. "As much as I would like to take credit for a nice backside snap under the lip--my conscience won't let me," Marty confessed. "But thanks for the flattering caption." We appreciate your candor, Marty. And our apologies go to the surfer, who was actually none other than Zev Gartner--the 2003 Red Bull Ice Break champ. So without further ado, here's the real Marty doing the backside shuffle at the 2004 comp.

Power Choker Peter Pan demonstrating the correct stance to not hit a homerun -- McGovern

•Speaking of the Red Bull Ice Break, this year's competition is already in the works. Beginning September 7th, a series of five qualifiers up and down the Eastern Seaboard will determine the finalists for the Main Event--to be held at a location that's yet to be determined. However, rumors abound of prime winter surf spots concealed deep in the upper latitudes of Eastern Canada, which are sure to provide a spectacular and frigid finale. Now in its fourth year, and slowly expanding since its inception, the Red Bull Ice Break has already altered its structure to open things up to all East Coasters. Five surfers from each of the five qualifiers--to be held in North Carolina, New Jersey, Long Island, Maine, and Nova Scotia--will advance to the Red Bull Ice Break Main Event--along with 2004 champ Dean Randazzo, and four wildcards: Red Bull teamriders Billy Hume, Ian Parnell, Scott Posner and Sam Hammer. For the full scoop on the contest, visit www.redbullicebreak.com.

•New Yorker Chuck Karo let us know that the Surfrider Long Island Chapter is organizing its annual Coast-to-Coast Paddle-Out For Clean Water--a noncompetitive event to raise awareness of coastal pollution problems. The paddle will take place on Sunday, September 12th in Long Island, NY. Chapters from all over the U.S. will participate at their respective breaks and waterways. The event is open to paddlers of all skill levels, and Chuck said all variations of paddling devices are welcome, adding "the more creative the better." Get more information by locating a Surfrider chapter near you at www.surfrider.org/chapters.asp.

•East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Famer and Narragannsett, RI, staple Peter Pan, was one of a small group of athletes invited to participate in the Triple-A All-Star Game Celebrity Home Run Derby, which took place as one of the festivities surrounding the Annual Major League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game. The Derby went down at McCoy Stadium, home of the Boston Red Sox AAA squad and the Pawtucket Red Sox--in front of over 11,000 fans on July 11th-13th in Pawtucket, RI. Pan played on Team DiMaggio, coached by former Red Sox Hall of Famer Dom DiMaggio--brother of late New York Yankee legend Joe. And while Pan could only muster two weak infield hits (sounds like Pete-ah would still be a big improvement over the current big league Bo-Sox lineup, though), the crowd enjoyed every strike out. "This was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever been involved in," he commented. For more, go to www.pawsox.com.

Michael Ciaramella - J. Ciaramella

•Michael Dolsey from Michael Dolsey Designs welcomes new Northeast rep Gregory Mesanko to his sales squad. Greg joins fellow Dolsey boys "GT" Gregg Taylor and Paul Kane.

•Southern New England's ESA Cape Cod District attracted a record number of participants--with almost 100 in attendance and 35 heats--for the Wellfleet Event on July 24th. Competitors arrived from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and one rider even came from California. The local Cape surfers in particular ripped apart the waist to chest-high waves on offer--especially the Pump House squad, who nabbed first-place in the Team division. Contest Director Marc Angelillo sends out a "big mahalo" to Matt Rivers from Pump House Surf Shop for hosting the shindig and supplying prizes and pizzas--as well as Billabong for all of their support. Visit the district's website at www.sne.surfesa.org for more information.

•Rhode Island filmmaker Nate Tanner, whose debut flick Pay Your Way received solid reviews, is working on another opus. This one chronicles a New England crew's Central American voyage--with guest appearances by pro surfers John Logan and Brendan Petticrew. Keep an eye out for Tanner's latest endeavor, currently untitled, in the near future at a surf shop near you.

•We at ESM wholeheartedly apologize for forgetting to include Michael Ciaramella--the only surfer from the NSSA Northeast Conference to make a final at the NSSA Nationals--from last issue's Big News piece on the Right Coasters' unprecedented success at the event. All finalists were listed, but somehow young Michael's achievement went by undetected. Sorry about that, Mikey, and we wish you the best of luck this upcoming NSSA season. Compiled by Mike Fish

MA BLAHS

Noah Snyder Walking Over Water -- Struntz/ Surfing

•So you think Jersey's only good for breaded, deep-fried soft-shell crab, honking slices of greasy pizza pie, ears of sugar-sweet, silver queen white corn, or those classic ham, cappacola, brajole, provolone submarine sang'wiches? Fuggedabboudit, Paulie Walnuts! You need to go try out the Mexi-food surf scene at Surf Tacos' newest beachside location in Manasquan--just west of Stockton Lake and Seagirt Army Camp, off Route 71 at 121 Parker Avenue. Call 732-223-7757 for more details or directions. Or if you're across the river on the Ocean County side in Point Beach and don't want to deal with traffic or the drawbridge, you can still grind down hard on the same tasty menu at the Tacos' flagship store, located as always at Route 35 South. Either way, you can't lose and tell 'em ESM sent ya.

•If you didn't catch the 10th Annual Clean Water Paddle on the Potomac on Saturday, August 21st at Thompson's Boat Center, Georgetown, you blew it because the Surfrider Capitol Chapter pulled out all the stops in support of Clean Water Day. Go to www.surfrider.org for more.

•You gotta admit, the Banks boys look after their own. Wave Shack Manager Nigel Haynes and the rest of the core OB surf community blew up a party at Nags Head Bowling & Billiards to benefit North Shore transplant Brian Zongolowicz, who was chewing on some rather enormous medical bills after breaking his jaw and knocking his teeth out following a horrible wipeout at Rockpile last winter. BZ relays his most sincere thanks to his old friends for the $675 check, adding, "That meant a lot to get that love from all the way over there. Now y'all are blessed by the surf gods."

•Attention Long Branch, NJ, surfers: Mark your calendars for the Surfers' Environmental Alliance's (SEA) 7th annual Kahuna Awards Dinner on Saturday evening, September 25th, at Neil's On The Beach Restaurant, which overlooks the local break Crack-ups, in Allenhurst, NJ. The affair will feature a cash bar cocktail hour, live music and dancing, and special guest speakers including New Jersey's principal environmental official, Brad Campbell, and Cocoa Beach, FL, surfing legend Claude Codgen. The admission price includes a deluxe dinner whipped up by Neil's culinary staff and an awards presentation--including the "Kahuna of the Year" for outstanding contributions to the sport.

Surfrider Capitol Chapter at Clean Water Day -- Maglietta

•Nic McLean, producer of the Foundnation videos, is almost done with his three-year project focusing on the life of Noah Snyder, Noah's Arc, and teamed up with Walking on Water to put together an East Coast tour of the film starting in Texas and running up to New York. The Found boys--Nic, Noah, Matt Beacham, and Jesse Hines--will charge the road in a huge coach liner sponsored by Steelroots Television. Tour dates are as follows: October 7th-Galveston, TX; October 9th-Pensacola, FL; October 10th-Ft. Walton; October 11th-Panama City; October 14th-Vero Beach; October 15th- Ft. Lauderdale; October 16th-Melbourne; October 17th-Merrit Island; October 21st-New Smyrna; October 22nd-St. Augustine; October 23rd-Jacksonville; October 24th-Flagler Beach; October 29th-Wrightsville Beach, NC; October 30th-Kitty Hawk; November 2nd-Virginia Beach, VA; November 3rd-TBA, NJ; November 4th-TBA, NY. For more information on the tour, log on to www.walkingonwater.org.

•Vah Beacher Ian Parnell's playing frontman for the Red Bull 5X, an experimental performance tour making the East Coast rounds and partnering up with local shops to introduce the new format. Parnelli, along with other Red Bull pro riders Sam Hammer, Billy Hume, and Scott Posner, take on local rippers. Visit www.RB5X.com for the whole lowdown and turn to Page 164 for the full Northeast results.

•In other contest news, it looks like we have a triple header on the Outer Banks this fall thanks to Volcom, who scheduled their third Jellyfish Series event of the season for September 21st at S-Turns. That's the Tuesday of the ESA Easterns, and a week before the Outer Banks Pro, Presented by WRV. They're putting up even more money in 2005 than last year's $30,000, and $400 cash instead of $200 will now go to each of the Pro-Am winners. Also don't miss this fall's Haul pASS Tour (August 18th-October 3rd) where Stone-rs Billy Hume, Kyle Garson, Justin Jones, Ian Parnell, Mike Gleason, Aron Gieger, Sean Slater, Daniel Terry, and Mike Guarino will once again go out of their way (literally) to stoke out thousands of kids.

•Speaking of Volcom, mammoth props to the winner of the VQS Jellyfish Series Virginia Beach Contest--held at Croatan on July 25th--Quiksilver pro Jason Borte, who benevolently gave good buddy and contest rival Wes Laine $100 of his $400 first-place earnings, after Wes copped a $100 ticket from authorities for not wearing a leash. Cops can suck, true, but they can't suck the fun out of a great surf comp. Good show, gentlemen!

•On August 5th at South 1st Street in Ocean City, MD, the Eastern Surfing Association released the Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) 2004 Testing The Waters Report: a guide to water quality at vacation beaches, which offers recommendations on how to prevent pollution problems and presents state-by-state data on the number of beach closings and advisories. The NRDC saluted four "beach buddies" and four "beach bums" communities, designating Ocean City, MD, one of the "beach buddies." Nice.

Reggie Barnes eyeing up the coping for destruction -- Mez

•Did you know that established Outer Banks shredder Pat McManus is now shaping boards under his own label, Pat McManus Surfboards? Well, don't blame yourself, it's been pretty hush-hush up 'till now, but there's all kinds of stuff about it on Pat's new website, www.obxsurfinfo.com.

•According to ESM Photographer Joe Coffey, veteran Garden State lensman Ray Hallgreen is doing exceptionally well after undergoing heart surgery to repair a faulty valve. Ray opted to get the operation ASAP so he could be in tiptop shape in time for shooting the '04 Atlantic Hurricane Season. In fact, Ray's wife Patti says he even looks 10 years younger. The Hallgreen family wishes to thank everyone for their good thoughts throughout the ordeal. Meanwhile, Joe himself has been hard at work shooting motocross and just had his website updated. Take a look at his latest killer photos at www.joecoffey.com, which Joe said couldn't have been done without the mad tech skills of friend/ artist Ben Miller of Bighouse Design. If you need any web design work, logo identity, fine art, or any visual solutions whatsoever, give Ben a shout at www.bighousedesign.com.

•We know you're gonna get antsy at this September's Orlando Surf Expo watching all the gnarlers nail the big moves on the vert ramp and the street course, so why not hit up the Eastern Skateboard Supply booth, where the Wilmington, NC-based company will be selling pretty much their entire line. Talk to owner Reggie Barnes or Sales Rep Dave George, and go hit the streets of O'ville. That's better than spending your money destroying brain cells at Lulu's!

Casino Pier -- Hallgreen

•Holden Beach, NC's, perennial sub-rep Cane Faircloth left Rusty and Reef to move up the food chain and head up the sales for MCD, LX Eyewear, Sea Angel, Soda, and Rietveld, though he still rides R-Dot Surfboards. Cane also recently launched M.A.M.M., the Mid Atlantic Marketing Machine, that represents businesses in the Action Sports Industry by putting on concerts, parties, contest, etc. For the goods on that endeavor, call him at 910-367-2998.

•ESM sends our most heartfelt condolences to Washington D.C. Surfrider's Darryl Hatheway, whose wife passed away on Thursday July 29th after battling cancer for three years.

•Virginia Beach, VA, rep Scott Harsh recently added Monument to his other lines, FAB Optix and Dan Taylor Surfboards. Call him at 757-428-2486, to get these fresh brands in your stores.

•The Surfrider Jersey Shore Chapter's 2nd annual Surf Clinic, sponsored by Redsand, was a grand success. On Saturday, July 10th, youngsters from Asbury Park and surrounding areas learned how to ride from Bathsheba, Barbados, legend and senior chair'mon a-da-rass'ole Soupbowl, Kenny Mayers. Big thanks to Asbury Park Recreation for helping facilitate the endeavor at the newly established 8th Avenue Surfing Beach.

•And finally, everybody's been talking about Luke Ditella's freakish freesurfing romps lately, and he's taken that frenzy to the heat zone, winning July's Smith Optics Garden State Grudge Match Qualifier at Seaside Heights against some heavy Jersey talent. Tensions are mounting as the Grudge Match approaches (scheduled for October 9th at Casino Pier). If it's anything like years past, it will be one hell of a comp, definitely a must-see. And let's leave the brass knuckles and cement shoes at home this time, fellas. Compiled by Matt Pruett

SE BLAHS

•Heading up this issue's Southeast deets, how about that JJ and ET?! Jeremy Johnston and Eric Taylor blazed to the semifinals of the $10,000 Lost Junior Pro in Huntington Beach this summer. Other notable finishes included

Eric Geiselman's Game Face -- Dugan

quarterfinalists Sterling Spencer, Alek Parker, and Shane Upchurch. As it stands, East Coasters have nearly swept the final ASP North America Junior ratings, with Taylor, Tommy O'Brien, and Parker holding first through third, respectively, Sterling Spencer at fifth, and Eric Geiselman tied for sixth. What this means is that we're going to Junior Worlds stacked like a lumberjack's breakfast. Killer job, fellas.

•Speaking of solid contest performances, Indialantic, FL, pro longboarder Michael DeTemple was absolutely on fire at the Nokia International Longboard Bear Championships, held July 13th in Biarritz, France. The ASP's online reports even read the following about Mike: "paddling on the biggest wave of the set, he surfed from the outside beginning with a hugely long hang-five, then managed to get through the critical section with a floater before connecting to the inside with a radical cutback, finishing with another hang-five. The judges just gave him what he deserved: 9.60 points for the best score of the contest." As impressive as that was, DeTemple then dropped by the ESM offices with video and stills from a trip to Puerto Escondido this summer. By then we were straight wetting ourselves. Look for the rest of this Blah Blah and Mikey D's footy to be continued in the upcoming ESM video, Always Right.

•Ambiguous's main guy in St. Auggie, Pat Conner just returned from a three-week romp through Oz, catching Snappers, Lennox Head, and all the usual filth. However, his best session came at a place named Spookies. P-Con called it 12-foot thumping barrels. We want pics punk, ya hear?! Where's Jimmy Wilson when you need him? Somebody get the kid an airline sponsor already!

•In other Ambiguous blahs, Kedren Ferrero and Sean Tubbs spent most of their summer in California hanging with surf team manager Rod Brewster and other friends.

Pat "P-Con" Conner -- J. Wilson

•Aquafluence Productions vid wizard Matt Katsolis worked hard with Flagler phenom Will Tant in Florida and California all summer long, gathering A+ footage for their upcoming movie (and hopefully some leftover clips for ESM) that's guaranteed to impress a few Tant fans. Go to www.aquafluence.com for updates. The two also ventured up to Big Sur, exploring redwood forests, idyllic waterfalls, sketchy cliffsides, and some pretty cool mysto breaks, too. Fortune favors the far out. Plus, Will just inked a three-year contract with Aaron Chang Clothing. Go say congrats to him at his brother's memorial contest, the Tommy Tant Memorial Classic, at Flagler Pier on October 24th.

•No way! Speaking of far out, go to Surfline's Tripwire section for an Indian Ocean travel story titled "Getting There," penned by Poorboy's Mike Cianciulli. It has pretty pictures, too.

•Remember Chad Speedy? The Folly Beach, SC, guru traveler and borderline Hawaiian transplant? Well, Speedy's riding for Aaron Chang Clothing and Hot Buttered Eyewear, thanks to good buddy DJ Struntz (the least the Surfing Magazine photographer could do, seeing as Chad was one of DJ's original photo subjects). Chad's also fronting Mike Walker's shapes, Walker Surfboards, and was gettin' 'er done on the North Shore again this winter, scoring a good January swell at Waimea Bay that reportedly shook the foundation under his house. He's considering a trip to the Caribbean this winter, so hopefully we'll start seeing more photographic evidence of his exploits at home and abroad.

•Brevard's own Dave Genchi's in Kiwi Land! That's right, the subject of this issue's Classick Vid (Page 172), Flail creator Gench sent us a quick e-mail from New Zealand, where he reported to be catching epic Shipwrecks, undoubtedly the most over-employed name for a surf spot in existence.

•In South Florida happenings, Surfboards Miami is reborn! The original 1960's Miami Beach-based company has been resurrected under the original brand name and logo. A small partnership of local South Beach surfers have come together to re-create that line which will reflect the retro '60s era. Surfboards Miami are available exclusively at Blackies Surf Shop in Miami. Call Blackies at 305-969-1993 for further information.

•Rachel San Inocencio recently started repping for an awesome new Brazilian swimsuit company called Poko Pano. The latest collection was previewed at Sao Paolo Fashion Week in Brazil with outstanding results. They will be at the Orlando Surf Expo inSeptember, so check 'em out. And if anyone wants to contact Rachel about Poko Pano, her number is 407-443-0203.

•In other rep news, our Good Rep over at Podium Distribution (DVS, Matix, Lakai), Ryan Langhorne, recently acquired Vestal Watches to add to his list of lines. Call Ryan at 321-795-

Ryan Langhorne's Jager-Board -- J. Wilson

5892 for more on Vestal's many killer styles. In the meantime, look for something big in the works this fall from Langhorne and ESM. And we assure it will be a peach of a deal if we pull it off.

•Bryan Archbold, younger brother to Indialantic, FL, surfer Ian Archbold, is thriving as a student photographer at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. Bryan even sent Eastern Surf some 'holy-shit-that's-good' shots of this summer's U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach. If anyone out there wants to see some of this young talent's work, e-mail bryan_archbold@baphotoink.com.

•Big thanks to Ehren Tresher from New Smyrna Beach, who updated us with some much-needed Blahs from the Volusia County beaches: young ace Eric Geiselman recently returned home from a super successful video mission in South Africa, while manchild shredder Devon Tresher traveled to Puerto Escondido to get his pits on and his pelotas a challenge. Speaking of Mexico, Shannon "Hopper" Eichstaedt also just got back from an expedition through Baja and Mainland Mex. He and San Diego's ultimate grueler, Brian Conley, took a month-long drive in Conley's ridiculous "Hurricane Hunter" F-350 rig. They scored in a big way, and just to prove it, they're releasing the movie Cowboys From Hell very soon. Stay tuned for a future review. In NSB shop news, Joe Armstrong, former owner of University Surf & Skate in Orlando, took over the controls at Inlet Charley's, a fixture since it was opened in 1976 by East Coast ledge' Gnarly Charley Baldwin. With Joe's input and creativity, the store will certainly retain its high status.

Devon Tresher -- J. Wilson

•Terry Claudio is officially the new Florida sales rep for Split, Osiris, 88, and H2O. His current contact info is terryc@splitusa.com, or call him at 949-231-9953. Terry's first order of business is to welcome Brevard County grom Matt Sabatino to the Split team, where he joins Shea Lopez, Matt Oberman, Corey Sapp, and David Begley. Also, the Split Surfbout Contest Series will come to the Jax Beach Pier on October 2nd, New Smyrna Inlet on October 3rd, and Sebastian Inlet on October 9th. Go to www.splitusa.com for more info.

•On August 4th, the New Smyrna Beach surf community was rocked by the sudden and tragic death of one of their own when Todd Ashley Towers, 31, was involved in a fatal plane crash. Todd modeled the role of a devoted husband and father, as well as that of a dedicated surfer. Every spare moment was spent with the family that he left behind: his wife Lauren, the women's buyer for Red Dog Surf Shop; his oldest son Stone, 9, one of NSB's rising stars and a valued Volcom teamrider; and Tanyr, 2, a Mini-Grom in the making. Todd was celebrated in a traditional paddle-out ceremony on August 8th at the Flagler Beach approach, which Keith Lyerly directed. Somehow, the waves turned from sloppy chop to perfect wedges and barrels. After the service, Stone, accompanied by Hopper, carried his father's remains to his final resting place. ESM sends our deepest condolences to Todd's family and friends.

•Announcing (again) the Retro Surf Classic! After a whole summer of flatness, North Florida brother Jay Dodson's throwback surfboard contest has been rescheduled for September 5th at the Jax Beach Lifeguard Station. Call the hotline at 904-249-9372 for details. And look for a report on the comp next issue. Keep it soul--ride a single-fin today. Compiled by Matt Pruett

MFE BLAHS

Andrew Meyer -- 2M

•Y'know, we've be doing some thinking, and what better way to start off the More From Everywhere Blahs, than with a company that's truly everywhere, Wave Riding Vehicles. Seriously, they got Pat Mulhern shaping in California, Mike Daniel in Central Florida, Jesse Fernandez, Tommy Moore, Joe Shriver, and Mickey McCarthy getting 'er done on the Outer Banks, Mike Doyle and Marty Keesacker in Virginia Beach, and Brett Maroumoto and Jeff Bushman in Hawaii. WRV also ran from the Old Dominion up through Rhode Island this summer with their Days Of The Outcast Tour, featuring all the original dirty's--Wes Laine, Jon Kleintop, Ian Parnell, Jeff Myers, Brendan Petticrew, Granger Clark, and Andrew Meyer--hitting up the hottest Eastern shops/ bars to, as Meyer so eloquently put it, "promote our shit."

•Speaking of Andrew, he's taken up the pen to write a monthly column on www.waveridingvehicles.com called "Meyer's Monthly Manifesto" where the always-outspoken Purveyor of the Porpoise reports on kinky and kooky haps from VB's eclectic mix of waveriders and women. Hey, he might've even been talking some smack about you, so give the site a few hits. Remember, sarcasm sells.

Sarah Hoffert - Dugan

•North Florida ripper Adam King went to California to escape the summer heat for a few weeks, where he hung with all the Florida transplants and gathered footage for Jeff Crego's next video. Stay tuned for more on that. •While the rest of his South Florida compadres sweated out this summer's agonizingly long flat spell at home, heir to the Island Water Sports-Deerfield throne Cheyne Cottrell was off flirting with exotica--charging a WQS comp in the Maldives before joining esteemed photog John Callahan in Maluku, and then returning to his second home in South Africa to compete in a WQS 6-star, the Mr. Price Pro in Durban, and also knocking out plenty of freesurf shoots with water lensman Shaun Timoney.

•Speaking of the Mr. Price Pro, if you happen to see St. Augustine, FL, pro Gabe Kling around, give him a pat on the back and a cold beer, ya wanker. Gaber must be off his meds because he went absolutely psycho at the prestigious ASP-WQS contest, (which Andy Irons went on to win, by the way) even taking down Aussie WCT guy Darren O'Rafferty and San Clemente, CA, superstar Chris Ward on the way to the Round of 32. Whoa, son! Count to 10. •Out of Hilton Head, SC, Shane Levi Gould, owner of "the biggest little company in America," Fuel Clothing, urges everyone to check out Fuel's latest "Paintball Decks," available in 7.75, 7.5, and 7.6 inches. Fuel up on those designs and others at www.fuelclothing.com.

Sighting #254. Elvis-Mendia seen ripping the East Coast -- Mez

•Wouldn't you know it, DVS Shoes recently got their mits on Puerto Rican terror and current NSSA National Explorer Juniors Champ Dylan Graves.

•Another Right Coaster making a steady climb up the ladder of Cali's summertime contest leg was Ormond Beach, FL's, Tyler Crawford, who placed 3rd in the Airshow division and 5th in Boys at the USSF U.S. Amateur Surfing Championships. Tyler was the youngest guy in the final, not to mention the only Floridian. He went on to place 2nd in the Huntington Beach Rip Curl Grom Search.

•And that ain't the only rip-puppy who rocked the HB, either. At the Volcom Stone Totally Crustaceous Tour's Starfish Surf Series, held July 7th at 9th Street, unassuming North Florida new schooler Sarah Hoffert and Brevard babe Ashley Bobb placed third and fourth, respectively, in the Girls division, but even bigger news was that Cocoa Beach, FL's, Jake Kirschenbaum snuck up to win the hard-fought Juniors division. Hey now!

•Brevard County native John Lynch's film company Lynchfilms just partnered up with good friend Theo Bessin to form Four Corners Films. Four Corners also signed artist brothers Matt and Ryan Kleiner from Vero Beach, FL, to edit and art direct Four Corner's debut movie, Change the Subject, which will be in stores on September 1st, 2004. Innovative editing, high performance surfing, and a quality underground soundtrack makes this film production a must-see. Bessin and Lynch traveled from South Africa to Hawaii to Europe shooting Change the Subject on 16mm and DV, with a super talented cast including Kelly Slater and Taylor Knox. Pre-order today at www.lynchfilms.com.

•CJ and Damien Hobgood made a guest appearance on the set of Fox's hit television show North Shore, shooting an episode on July 26-27th titled Ties That Bind. The tentative airdate for the episode is sometime in September so tune in if you can stand the expectedly awful plotlines.

•The Billabong Bus Detour visited a number of East Coast beaches, north to south, this summer--with riders like last issue's cover character Peter Mendia, Bryan Hewitson, and Geoff Moysa stoking the local populaces. Click on www.billabong.com to take a cyber ride on the bus!

•Playero Surf Shop just opened up shop in Wellington Green Mall in West Palm Beach, FL. Check 'em out.

•Word came down from one of ESM's favorite Right Coast sons, former Surfer Magazine Photo Editor Jason "Blurry" Murray, that his new website is up, but under construction, which will soon tout his availability as one of surf photography's most valued and talented hired guns. If you've picked up any recent issues of Surfer, Surfing, Transworld, The Surfer's Journal, or even little ol' ESM, to mention a few, you've seen a bunch of Murr-dog's images starting to emerge across all of surf pubdom that counts. Jason is also represented by Jeff Hall and Bowen Ota at the A-Frame Stock Photo Agency. And if you want to see his work, along with other Eastside shooters like Pete Frieden, Steve Fitzpatrick, and DJ Struntz, check out one of the coolest websites ever at www.aframephoto.com.

•If you're at the Orlando Surf Expo, have a look at Poko Pano Surf at Booth #1324.

•Paul Barga is back East and the new Florida rep for Mada Clothing. Call him at 904-347-5572 or e-mail barga@hotmail.com to check out their new line of goods.

•Monument Clothing is looking for quality, motivated, experienced sales reps in Florida to open new accounts and develop lasting relationships. To learn more, contact Dave Matt at 949-548-1140, ext.200.

•Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, local Devon Laxton was involved in a car accident on Kauai, Hawaii, which broke three vertebrae in her lower back. Our prayers and positive thoughts go out to Devon for a speedy recovery.

•East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Famer Skip Savage enjoyed an eventful voyage to Southern California this summer. Not only did Savage attend the Hollywood debut of Stacey Peralta's new big- wave cinema epic

Skip Savage taming the beast within -- Dugan

Riding Giants--he did so with the giants themselves. Skip was invited by Greg and Laura Noll, Laird Hamilton, Derrick Doerner, Jeff Clark, Sam George, and Peralta to ride to the premiere with them all in their limo. And following the LA event, he then attended a Newport Beach bash where he hung with Bob "Turbo Tunnel" Bolen and Mickey Munoz. Oh, did we mention he also caught head-high Cardiff, Swamis, and Baja--and also mixed it up with the cast of Orange County Choppers in the bar at the Beverly Wilshire? With a trip like that, it's a surprise Skip ever came home.

•The first highly anticipated Buddy Pelletier Surf Clinic went down on July 12th at Fort Macon State Park, NC. Headed by Morehead City ripper and contest staple Paul Poston, the clinic furthered the humanitarian success of the Buddy Pelletier Memorial Longboard Classic to raise scholarships for local students in need. And be sure to turn to page 69 for our Surfers' Comp column, and read the event lowdown.

•In Wrightsville Beach gossip, congratulations to Digital Wunderland's Media Relations man Pete Viele, who wed Anne Marie Hatfield on June 13th. Viele's also heading up the surf team for O.G. Outer Banker Scooter Raynor's new shop, Green Room Boardsports, along with fellow riders Clay O'Neal and Jim Fede, all of whom will ride Raynor's handshaped boards. Be sure to check out Green Room the next time you're cruising the 'Ville.

•And finally, and this is important so listen up, y'all. We're Always Right. Ya hear? Compiled by Matt Pruett and Mike Fish

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