This years ESA was a fantastic experience. Thanks Magilla for the excellent Photos (and coaching) that allowed me to share the experience with my kids and friends. The surreal shots in the fog were the most memorable for me in particular.
What was above all though, was the amazing sense of community that I and Elizabeth now feel we have become part of . It is an honor to surf with the best and to see the dedication of the volunteers who make the EAS work. Magilla we look forward to many more Great Lakes Sessions with you and the Locals and hopefully some more East coast Contests. It was Great to meet Lester and get some insight into on our upcoming Auz. Surfing/teaching Adventure .I did not bring home a trophy this time but the memories far exceeded any of my expectations. Thanks Magilla for the heads up on the Banquet raffle I had cool stuff for all 8 of the kids . I think that alone will give me their approval for next year’s adventure.

Am I nuts to think that everyone around me was winning most of the raffle prizes? The guy next to me hit three times. You sure had a very good streak of luck too.

Maybe next time you will have better waves.

Steve you can apply for an alternate slot at the Sept. ESA Easterns in Buxton, N.C. The competition gets tougher and there are more surfers in the raffles. The week down there is cheap, usually warm, and during the hurricane period with better chances of bigger waves.


In the end at the 2007 ESA Northeast Regional Championships I don't know anybody that didn't get their money's worth in one way or another. We had some fun.


Now you know another surfing break on the east coast with a good surf shop and a place with lower rental property prices off season. Did you hear the locals talking about the waves breaking over the wall last month during the NorEaster storm and throwing logs and heavy stones onto the street? Those points have seen some heavy waves. Lenny Nichols was seen in ESM about a year ago riding way overhead there. He did everyone proud on the East Coast riding big waves like that.

One of the good benefits of being a competitor in the ESA Great Lakes District is getting to surf some fun ocean breaks on the east coast and meet some of the Legends and chargers from the U.S. East Coast.

How did you like Joe Grottola from South N.J. in orange making purses out of sows ears in those small waves? He had some excellent rides.

During your heat in the fog I answered a call for a director to come to the judging stand. They wanted a spotter for the judges. I ran off and got Jim Hoop. Ole righty wasn't enough for that duty. The luck of the draw was in getting one of those better waves in that fog bank you surfed in. That has to also be one of those memorable moments in surf contests that I have experienced.

Here's to you again Steve. That's another cheering voice across the nether of cyber space.

I have one big regret and that is we couldn't get Sebastian into the U.S. to compete despite all the lobbying work we did on his behalf. That part still saddens me.