Cop: 3’rd Annual 4 The Girls In The Books

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3^rd Annual For The Girls Surf Classic Presented By Carley Coble in Jersey has lots of Big [and little) Winners

Words and Photos by Mike Vuocolo @mikesshoreshots

This years headlines from this fast growing event are Long time Manasquan Inlet regular Joanie “Molehead” Sapienza winning her first ever For The Girls Surf Classic while Keira Soleau and Kim Lesniak both registered a three-peat at the 3^rd Annual Contest held at Spring Lake’s Remsen Avenue Surf Beach on July 20, 2024.

The charity event, presented by Manasquan’s Carley Coble raised monies this year for Next Steps Adult Day Program which assists in promoting independence and social development for adults with special needs, attracted sixty-four female surfers and a few hundred spectators that cranked up the Stoke-O-Meter and enjoyed some Sisterhood at the highest level.

For the third year in a row, Carley bundled her love of wave riding, completion and community to organize her signature event to promote Female Surfing and raise monies for a local Charity. With the untiring help of Mom and Dad along with Monmouth County Surfers Jeremiah Hulsart and Adam Holloway, Carley directed the event like a seasoned contest promoter.

The only switch from the previous contests was the elimination of the Open Division which was replaced by a 40 year old and up division along with one for 18-39 aged Surfers. Coble reasoned “The heat realignment permitted for more females to compete with athletes of similar ability.”

While setting up with her team of Mom, Dad, Jerimiah, the Manasquan Chapter of Christian Surfers, Kurt and Alex Becker and Dana Palmieri (who also doubled as commentator), a small windswell was present between the Spring Lake Jetties, perfect for the 10 and Under push in heats but the older contestants really had to work it to manufacture any score this day.

Surfers came from Maine down to Southern Jersey to compete, snag some giveaways and score some prizes generously donated by the Monmouth County community and Surf Industry that included: Barewires Surf Shop, FINS, I-Sea Sunglasses, Sisstrevolution, FCS, Sun Bum, Chemistry Surfboards, Hammer Surf School, Skudin Surf, Benny’s Pizza, Art by Meghan, Sand and Sugar, theOiF, Hazel, Christian Surfers, Hermosa Hair Studio, Local Waves, Joe Leone’s, Squan Tavern, J&A, Capsized Café, La Mondina, Pig and Parrot, Pastosa, Spring Lake Seafood, Dune Donuts, Spring Lake Pizza, Kim’s Closets and Rad Shirts Custom Printing.

With $6,500 raised for the Next Step Adult Day Program Coble stated going forward “I want to keep the contest small to inspire girls to surf and bolster self-confidence.”

“Pretty sure that this will become an ongoing annual event” observed Kurt Becker who, along with Bill Brooks, Gary Finnegan, Tom Gailbraith, Dana Palmieri and Mike Angellita, served as volunteer judges for the day.

“I’m grateful that God has called on me to reach out and help others” said Coble. “The Ocean and Surfing are beautiful things that I want to help everyone enjoy.”

Top Surfers in the 3^rd Annual For the Girls Surf Classic were:

Age 10 and Under :

1^st Shea Wagner

2^nd Gianna Glitin

3^rd Peyton Quinn

4^th Kinsley D’ Antuono

11-14 Year Olds :

1^st Keira Soleau

2^nd Preslie Fender-Marotta

3^rd Laila Wanner

4^th Avery Height

15-17 Year Olds :

1^st Emmi Major

2^nd Ayla Stutzman

3^rd Dylan Kozinn

4^th Makena Taylor

18-30 Year Olds :

1^st Kim Lesniak

2^nd Cat Sayne

3^rd Kelly Feliciano

4^th Chloe Gartside

Age 40 and Up :

1^st Joanie Sapienza

2^nd Joanne Hadley