One of the greater difficulties I encounter when preparing “off the lip” is finding the appropriate content and striking the right tone for a hugely diverse demographic of surfers that pick up a crisp copy of the Crystal Coast Outdoors – from hard-core young rippers, the old-skoolers who were actually born and raised here, beginners, weekend warriors, visitors who don’t surf at all, kooks, groms, and every one in between. However with spring in the air, there is no better time to discuss the contest season here along Bogue Banks and points south in North Carolina. Whether you compete, judge, want to break some bread with fellow surfers, or just want a family-style, festival-type beach event to go to – surf contests are the place. And oh yeah, they are also often the place to see some the best surfing by the best surfers in the area, if not the State. As one surfer who will remain anonymous has written, “The waves may suck, but the locals are way better than you (and anywhere in NC for that matter) - show respect and expect to get sprayed.” So mark you calendars boys and girls for the following events.
* The Central North Carolina District of the Eastern Surfing Association (CNC – ESA) - The CNC is one of 26 districts of the ESA that run contests each year promoting good sportsmanship, self-esteem, and surfing development, with everyone’s eye on the prize of the championships that are held at the surfing Mecca of Cape Hatteras every September. There are tons of age divisions and categories (longboard, shortboard, bodyboard, etc.), and the CNC extends geographically from Atlantic Beach heading south to Surf City. There are usually six contests a year at various locations starting in April and the CNC website has just been re-designed at http://cnc.surfesa.org/ - the full contest schedule is available from this portal. Each contest has a potential make-up weekend if the surf is flat or there are dangerous weather conditions, so as the folks say around here - “pay attention”.
* The Reef/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest – Perhaps not a local contest per se but circle it on your calendar as 2010 will signify the 6th year of this contest, usually held in Wrightsville Beach located roughly 1.75 hours south of us. This contest is no joke – it is one of the largest contests on the entire East Coast and elite surfers from places such as California, Florida, New Jersey, and of course North Carolina all come to the party for bragging rights. There are lots of sponsors involved that make this event happen with keystones being Reef, Sweetwater Surf Shop, and WBlivesurf.com – the contest website is available at http://reef.wblivesurf.com/ and this year’s schedule should be posted in the not-too-distant future.
* The Buddy Pelletier Memorial Longboard Classic – Probably saving the best for last – you’ve seen the license plates, and have undoubtedly heard about the man, the myth, the legend, and East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame member Buddy Pelletier. The Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation was founded by his family and friends well over a decade ago now and 2010 will be the 11th running of this Memorial surfing contest. The word contest should be used loosely however – although winning any division is an incredible accomplishment in its own right, the contest has become more of a tradition and a celebration with old friends getting together for a weekend of fun and memory. This event (or ritual) also attracts some of the best wave sliders from Virginia, South Carolina, and even Puerto Rico that converge at the Oceanna Pier in Atlantic Beach the last weekend in July. Don’t miss it.
See you in the water until next time – www.eisurfshop.com.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment