ESA CFL’s Gavin Idone became ESA’s first Southeast Open Longboard Champion. Idone also won the Junior Men Longboard Division. Photo: Bernie Walls/OC Sports Nut
The Eastern Surfing Association kicked off its 2021 tour of post-season championship events last weekend at Paradise Beach Park in Melbourne Beach, Florida located on Florida’s Space Coast. Presented by Florida’s Space Coast and Surfer Dudes, the ESA 2021 Southeast Regional Surfing Championship was the first out of three events that the organization runs each spring as qualifiers for its Easterns® event held every September in North Carolina.
“We were so happy to be back in Florida after all three ESA regional events were canceled in 2020,” said ESA executive director Michelle Sommers. “Everyone was extremely thankful to be back in a jersey and reconnecting with friends from all over the state of Florida and Georgia.” + Continue Reading
ESA All-Star boys prepare for a session at Rockies (L to R: Landon Wood, Mentor Josh Motes, Mason Mott, Kai Sommers, Nic Gardella) Photo: Surf Shooter Hawaii/Terry Reis
The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) All-Star Team members just wrapped up another annual Hawaii training trip on the North Shore of Oahu working with some the best surf coaches in the world, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“We weren’t sure if we would be able to pull it off with everything related to covid,” said ESA executive director Michelle Sommers. “It was a lot to make it happen but we are thrilled that we were able to get these kids out to the epicenter of surfing.”
The trip was scaled down for fewer team members to attend, and some activities had to be canceled this year, but the ESA All-Stars surfed the world’s best waves and proved that our East Coast talent is strong and willing to take in as much as they can learn in a short period of time. + Continue Reading
ESA All-Star Team coach Jason Motes and ESA Executive Director Michelle Sommers introduced the incoming ESA All-Star Team live online during an ESA “Talking Story” episode on Tuesday, January 19.
Viewers were treated to highlight videos from the 2020 ESA All-Star Team, followed by Motes introducing each team member by telling why they were chosen for the 2021 team. NPI Productions produced another great compilation video of photos and videos that were submitted by the team members that was shown after all the team members were announced.
2020 ESA All-Star Team members were invited to return, as long as they were in good standing, to the 2021 team, and several new team members were introduced.
“We were unable to offer all the benefits that we wanted to for the 2020 team due to COVID, so it made sense to bring them all back for another year,” said Sommers. “These kids had to deal with many disappointments in 2020 so giving them another opportunity on the ESA All-Star Team was something the entire ESA All-Star Team Committee approved.” + Continue Reading
The Eastern Surfing Association is pleased to announce the 2020 recipients of its annual Marsh Scholarship Award.
For over 35 years the Marsh Scholarship Award provides financial aid to deserving student surfers who are pursuing college and/or graduate school degrees. Applicants are judged by a panel of six trustees on the basis of academic accomplishments, recommendations, and related credentials with winners announced in time for the upcoming school year.
The program was named in honor of the Marsh Family of North Carolina who were ESA pioneers, and specifically for Mike Marsh who set an example for all students by earning his law degree while fighting cancer. + Continue Reading
The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) held a raffle to support the organization’s Easterns® Surfing Championship that was held last week at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina.
“ESA’s sponsors are always supportive, and this year they went above and beyond to help the ESA,” said ESA’s Executive Director Michelle Sommers. “This year has been difficult for everyone and our sponsors offered their amazing products to help provide support for The Easterns® event that we needed.”
The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) held its 2020 Easterns® Surfing Championship at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina September 20-26.
ESA All-Star Carl Burger surfed his way to claim two Easterns titles in 2020 – Open Shortboard and Junior Men U18. Photo: MEZ/ESM
The usual six-day event had to be compressed into three and one-half days due to extreme wind and waves in the first part of the week due to effects from Hurricane Teddy. The high winds generated waves that were 15-20 ft. and breaking out past Jennette’s Pier.
“It wouldn’t be an ESA Easterns® event without some kind of crazy weather,” said ESA’s Executive Director Michelle Sommers. “The Outer Banks presents us with a weather challenge each year, but the ESA knows how to make the event happen no matter what.” + Continue Reading
