With a history of over forty years of success, ESA contests are organized at the grassroots, district level on a year round basis. Each District conducts four or more contests per year, and each year the ESA has over 150 competitions along the entire East Coast. From the local District level top finishers are invited to advance to Region competition (of which there are three), then the top finishers in those championship events are invited to the Eastern Surfing Championships held each September at Cape Hatteras N.C. This is the official championship of the East Coast of the United States and is now in its 4th decade!
In surfing circles, the popularity of the East Coast Surfing Championships is unparalleled.
But when it comes to importance for amateur surfers, the Eastern Surfing Association’s Grand Championships is the highlight of the year.
The 42nd Easterns competition was at Buxton on Hatteras Island Sept 20-26, 2009
“This is the ‘it’ event on the entire East Coast,” said Debbie Hodges, ESA director.
More than 600 youth and adult amateurs representing 26 districts in the ESA will be competing for the right to advance to the national championships in California.
Winners in each of the 24 divisions will move on.
Team Sharks Fin of Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach, NC was riding high one again. Ray Harris just missed the semi-finals in the Legends Long Board, sorry Ray. But the story of the week was one of young Knox Harris and Nick Rupp!
Nick Rupp, a Team Sharks Fin rider and a employee of Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant, placed first over all in the Junior Mens Division by shredding the competition while defending his title and earning a chance to go to the finals in CA. Go Nick! Good luck at nationals!!!
Knox Harris surfed aggressive and flawless with all the right moves and waves and easily made it into the finals. With fierce competition and the surf starting to turn to wind slop, Knox was still able to take 6th place in the boys division with his great skill, poise and determination. Knox’s attitude, sportsmanship, dedication to the sport and to the ESA that he showed both on and off the water earned him a spot on the Eastern Surfing Associations All Star Team for the 2009-2010 year. These All Star Surfers are chosen from a criteria based on style, attitude, and performance; and are the pride of the Eastern Surfing Association. Congratulations Knox!! This kid will be a force to recon with in the up coming years!
A BIG CONGRATULATION TO KNOX, NICK AND RAY FROM SHARKY’S AND FROM THE OCEAN ISLE BEACH LOCALS FOR ALL THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE OUTER BANKS, NC AT THE EASTERN SURFING ASSOCIATIONS BEST OF THE EAST COMPETITION!
Here is Nick Rupp’s spot on The New Pollution Show on Fuel TV so you can get to know some of our team riders.
