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SAME AS IT EVER WAS -- FINALLY
Eastern Surfing Association to stay put at Hatteras and move forward in its 40th year
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By: Mike Cianciulli January 15, 2007 Milestones always seem to represent more than just a number. 2007 marks the Eastern Surfing Association's 40th year in existence and to go along with this monumental landmark, things changed but also stayed just how the ESA's 9000 members like them. So when hundreds of surfers and industry heads gathered at Florida's Surf Expo for the naming of the 2007 ESA All-Star Team, not only were 27 of the hottest East Coast surfers on hand but some heavy news was revealed as well.
Following the welcome speeches by ESA founder Cecil Lear and Executive Director Debbie Hodges, Transworld's Advertising Director Liam Ferguson was called on stage and broke the news that TWS was the new official media partner of the ESA.
"I'm really stoked. This partnership is going to take us to the next level in our 40th year," Hodges said afterwards.
Shortly after that momentous announcement, some other big news shook the room. An ongoing battle with the National Park Service to maintain Cape Hatteras as the location for the ESA Easterns (the organization's flagship event) has been raging for years. Despite multiple offers from other venues to host the contest, it was finally settled that the Easterns will stay put at the Lighthouse in Buxton for 2007. The real news being that the NPS is, for the first time in history, allowing sponsor's banners and tents as well as multi-level scaffolding to be erected on this historic stretch of Park land - a long time dream of the non-profit ESA and its sponsors.
"I think it's absolutely the best thing that's ever happened to us to be able celebrate our 40th competition in Cape Hatteras," remarked ESA's founder Cecil Lear. "To keep the continuity is really a tremendous accomplishment. It's just fabulous."
Finally after the smiles and buzzing from this roller coaster of new and exciting announcements died off, the All-Star Team introduction was just icing on the cake. Competition Director and All-Star Coach Brian Broom took the podium to make the call, still a bit emotional after seeing his dreams of a high-caliber event site fulfilled. "I think it's absolutely the best thing that's ever happened to us to be able celebrate our 40th competition in Cape Hatteras,"
-- ESA founder Cecil Lear
Returning faces were joined by a slew of first timers that include Easterns dark horse and Junior Mens Runner-Up Vince Boulanger as well as shortboard-longboard double threat Kate Easton.
For some this is just another line on their resume but for others it's a career changing opportunity. "I've been doing ESA for 6 years and this has always been a big goal for me," Rookie All-Star Kate Easton smiled. "I've worked real hard for this. It feels amazing."
It is our pleasure to introduce the 2007 Youth Competition ESA All-Star Team:
Philip Goold (Captian)
Rob Kelly (Junior Captian)
Mike Howard (Junior Captain)
Brett Barley (Junior Captain)
Mindy Fitzpatrick (Womens Captian)
Nick Rupp
Tommy Orsini
Keenan Lineback
Julian Payne
Christian Miller
Cole Richards
Chris Kelly
James Joyce
Forrest Johnson
Cam Richards
Price Wheeler
Bryan Laide
Austin Dalton
Eric Torres
Vince Boulanger
Corey Howell
Balaram Stack
Alex Geesey
Kate Easton
Zach Kenney
Maria Kuzmovich
Pat Schmidt
Dylan Kowalski
Jorge Colomer
