Starting into the sport at such a young age, the ESA was a great place to meet kids my age.  We shared the common goals of surfing and other similar interests.  Some of my best friendships were formed at the local ESA contest in North Florida.

EASTERNS
My First year to Easterns (Cape Hatteras) was in 1978. Hatteras, at the time was very quiet and organic.  That year, Cape Hatteras was also the location where the United States Surfing Championships were held.  I was introduced to surfers from not only the Eastern Seaboard but surfers from around the country as well.  For a 9 year old, it was a very impacting experience. Surfing was happening and the environment made it more electric.  I won my first East Coast Title and achieved 3rd in the US Champs.
The Easterns event became such a special place to me that I attempted to participate in it yearly, only missing the 1979 and 1987 events.
The feeling of “Family” was always the foundation of all the ESA events and the “Team Spirit” was high among the teams traveling to Hatteras from the many different chapters up and down the Seaboard.  We all had high hopes that our district would have a good showing at Easterns.
I was lucky enough to have won 5 East Coast Titles (1978,1980,1981,1983,1985) and came Runner up 2 Times (1984, 1986).
Each year the level of competition heightened and the prestige of winning the event became more important.  

ESA ALL STARS
I was a member of the ALL STARS with Sean and Kelly Slater, Bill Johnson, Jay Reale and many others.  The Team allowed us to travel and compete together outside the East Coast.  Bruce Walker was the coach and consistently encouraged us to just to do our best.
I have fond memories of traveling with the team that are not only classic but moments that I will always cherish.
As a grom I had dreams of becoming a Pro Surfer like every kid.  I dreamed of attaining pro-surfing success by having my picture published on the Cover of Surfer Magazine and traveling the world just surfing for a living. For many East Coasters, these dreams were just that.  At the age of 13, I also remember dreaming of being a World Champ in the future.  I was interviewed for an article that was published in the local newspaper after getting 2nd place in the United States Surfing Championships behind David Eggers.  The person conducting the interview asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  I replied, “World Champ” (of course).  At that stage of the game, East Coasters were never even considered to be in arms reach of a world title. It was all uncharted waters for the most part. As we observed Kelly and his unbelievable talents develop.We speculated that he was the first kid that had a real chance beyond a dream of being a World Champ in the Pro Mens.

PRO SURFING
I graduated in 1987 from Fletcher Sr. High in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. I had received a scholarship to College for Art and was facing one of the most difficult decisions in my life. A good friend and former Pro Surfer from Jacksonville, Terry Strumpf said, “If you have any hopes of being a Pro Surfer, you need to move to California and cut your teeth in the PSAA” (Professional Surfing Association of America) which later was known as the BUD Pro Surf Tour.  Move to California…?
 I am the youngest of 3 kids and my sisters are 8 to 10 years older than I.  The empty nest was an issue for my Mom, so it made it even more difficult to move 2000 miles away from home at the age of 18. So I had to contemplate whether to chase my dreams or pursue my passion for Art and a possible career. I had surfed contests for most of my life and I was determined to see if I could make it. In January 1988, I moved to Carlsbad, CA with my friend KJ Butterfield.  The first week I lived in California, everything I owned had been stolen…it was a shocker to say the least. Challenged again- no money-no clothes- no boards.
 The next PSAA event was 3 weeks away…so it was a huge incentive to make some money! My shaper made me a new board- entered the event- surfed through the trials to the main event…I beat Mike Parsons, Dave Parmenter, and Allen Sarlo along the way.  I had a good run my first event advancing 7 rounds (=17th) and even walked away with some cash!  I was STAYING!
I ended up in the Top 32 that year making Quarters, Semis and a Final.
As I started to proceed up the ranks, I obtained a salary and was encouraged
by my sponsors to focus on the Bud Tour because it was televised on ESPN / Prime Media. I was stoked on that because I didn’t need to travel as much. I later attained the Top 10 of the Bud PRO Surfing Tour. (A Dream Come True)

MARRIAGE AND KIDS
I met my wife while surfing Oceanside Harbor 1988, a California Native “Surfer Girl.” We were engaged in 1989 and married in 1990. (Total Dream come true….A Surfing Wife!)  I was 21 when we married and it was a great time in our life. We later had our first child when I was 23.  The Early 90’s was a time of change for me and the world of surfing as I knew it.    
Around 1993-94 The BUD Tour became part of the WQS and no longer a separate Pro Surfing Series. The Economy was sliding because of the First Gulf War.  I had great accomplishments…Cover of Surfer Magazine (Dream come true) –new baby- good contracts with my sponsors…a wrong assumption that I made…
I found myself anticipating sponsor’s checks in the mail box and having to determine how to provide for my new formed family…I obtained a few various jobs –working for Trac Top as a rep., worked as child care counselor with abused kids, and at the Chart House as a waiter to maintain a steady income.
I was offered a Management position at one of the largest Surf Shops in San Diego. The owner contacted me at home and inquired about my salary requirements.  I didn’t even apply for the job!  At this time, my wife was pregnant with our second child. God’s hand was taking me in a new direction.  I accepted the Management position. End of one chapter and a start of a new one. (A Dream that I didn’t anticipate-Running a Surf Shop.)

Retail (1995-2007)
At this point I really thought I had vast knowledge about surfing and its history. I quickly realized I didn’t know anything! With this re-evaluation, I took this great opportunity to learn another side of this awesome sport. This chapter of my life became my Super College for Sales, History, Equipment and Management skills. While at Surf Ride I also began coaching. We hired Joey Buran 1998 on as a sales person. Together we had an idea to start a grass roots training program. We coached “up and coming” surfers on a weekly basis. I found myself thoroughly enjoying a new perspective in the sport that I love.
As I am currently involved in coaching, opportunities to coach presented itself with the chance to gain more experience. I was invited to coach with Kevin Gronden with the US Team at the 2002 ISA World Games, followed by coaching with Brad Gerlach’s, “The Game”, PRO series of the National Surfing League (2004-2005).

2007 - I started Surf Coach USA, my personal coaching business that focuses on intermediate to advanced surfers. (www.surfcoachusa.com)

2008 - I was added as an Assistant Coach to The 2008-2009 USA SURF TEAM.  
Coaching has become a great avenue for me to give back to the sport I love and reflects the accomplishments of the dreams I’ve always had, that began in my childhood. It takes me back to my Roots and Dreams I had growing up. My goal is to encourage and push surfers to do their absolute best without compromise. The ESA is part of me and my roots…. it afforded me to dream and has awarded me with great success in this competitive world of surfing.