Northeast Blahs

•Solid head-high waves graced the Ryan Roberts Memorial Surf Contest, held May 19th at 2nd Beach in Middletown, RI. The event took in over $5000 for the foundation known as A Wish Come True, with 1000 attendees packing the beach despite gloomy weather. Ryan would've surely been proud. To no one's surprise, former ESM Who Da Guy Brian Burns was victorious in the premier Over 18 Men's Shortboard division. Sid "The Package" Abruzzi even claimed it as, "one of the biggest contests in the East." For complete results, turn to Page 158.  

•In further Package news, Sid's got a new surf report up and running for all you non-Internet heads out there at 401-848-WAVE. If you want to wake up to his voice at 5:30 a.m., give the Original Water Brother a call. You can also check out his website at www.myspace.com/waterbros.  

•Over in Hull, MA, the 8th Annual New England Longboard Classic Championships got busy in tiny, one to two-foot surf at Nantasket Beach, proving once again that nothing can stop the Northeast contest machine. If you want the full story with visual evidence to boot, pull up www.nesurfari.com, which also has a preview from photog Brian Nevins' recent shoot with skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi.  

•Montauk, NY, wordsmith Allan Weisbecker checked in with his latest news. He's pumping the upcoming surf video Going With The Flow by filmmaker Arsen Brzostek, which was filmed in Costa Rica with Weisbecker on-site. AW also started his own publishing company called Bandito Books, Ltd., and is preparing a U.S. edition of his latest work, Can't You Get Along With Anyone?, as well as putting together an e-zine with readers' submissions. To learn more or to get on his list, visit www.aweisbecker.com.  

•Ogunquit, ME's, Liquid Dreams Surf Shop has teamed up with Meadowmere Hotel to offer a Surf Ogunquit package, combining surf lessons with board and wetsuit rentals. Not only will Surf Ogunquit reveal the beauty of Maine's coast to more traveling surfers, but shopowner Mark Anastas and the state-certified Environmental Leader Meadowmere will donate proceeds from every stay to Surfrider Foundation.  

•Longtime ESA member and Gansett Juice Surf Shop co-owner Jaime "The Hurricane" Clampitt fought for the IWBF Junior Welterweight World Championship on June 20th. Clampitt looked to avenge her 2004 loss (which was named that year's "Female Fight of the Year" by Ring Magazine) to England's Jane Couch. And in front of a live ESPN2 audience, Jaime won a ten-round decision against Couch to reclaim the belt. Way to kick ass, Jaime. And if any of you guys out there ever happen to be surfing Narragansett, don't even think about dropping in on this wahine... or you know what'll happen.  

•Aspiring Rhode Island photo slores, listen up: Rhodey photog Jacki DiFillipo Schriber wanted to put the word out that she loves shooting surfing locally, and she is willing to work with any interested rippers, while posting her pictures on www.printroom.com. Take advantage, guys and girls, take advantage.  

•Word from the Great White North is Billabong Canada has come close to finalizing the "mother of all contests," the Billabong/ SANS September Storm Surf Classic. Check back for future updates, and until then, dream of hurricane-fueled, secret, reeling pointbreaks.  

•In other Up North news, the Great Lakes surfing world got a little recognition in the form of an animated character named Chicken Joe in the recent movie Surf's Up. Joe hails from Sheboygan, WI, and according to filmmakers, was inspired by the surfing footage in Dana Brown's classic film, Step Into Liquid, shot at Lake Michigan's Labor Day Dairy Land Surf Festival. Yes, this event really does exist, and ESM has an open invite. You never know, an in-depth Great Lakes feature might just grace these pages someday soon. 

•Dan O'Hara from Solid Surf Co. wrote in with his latest happenings. He's currently running Flying Point Surf Shop in Southampton, NY, where he stocks his hand-shaped surfboards and keeps art created by locals like Christopher Bennett, TJ Tuthill, John Ruggierio, and Mike Miller on the wall. For more on Solid, including their very affordable custom shapes, head over to www.solidsurfco.com.  

•Another Long Island artist displaying at Flying Point is Thomas "T-Bone" Abbiatello, whose handmade T-shirts, driftwood murals, and traditional Japanese woodblock prints can be viewed at www.tbonesartnsoul.com. His goods are also on display in Sunrise To Sunset Surf Shop in Southampton and Blue 1 Boutique in Westhampton.  

•New York photog now based in Bali Jon Huberman sent us a sick batch of photos from Uluwatu and Padang Padang, taken during the macking swell that hit the Bukitan Peninsula back in May. Jon has been traveling all over Indo pursuing surf photography and adventure editorials for a while now, and he's making a concerted effort to hook up with some East Coasters -- including Jamestown, RI, native John McGuirl, pictured here chilling in the barrel at Padang during his first-ever session at the notoriously grinding lefthander. Several of Huberman's shots were featured on various sites online, but you can see more for yourself at their original base, www.uluwatuphoto.com.  

•Stuart Bailey has some beautiful acrylic landscapes of Nantucket, MA, on sale through www.stuartdesigns.net.  

•And wrapping up the art deets, New York City artist Rogan Gregory recently hosted a show in Tribeca featuring four "battle-dressed" surfboards shaped by Chris Christenson of San Diego, CA. For visuals, go to www.rogannyc.com or www.christensonsurfboards.com.  

•The third annual Proven in the Northeast boardsports film festival is now open to entries. Submissions on VHS, MiniDV, or DVD should be sent by August 31st, 2007 to Proven In The Northeast, P.O. Box 5134, Portland, ME 04101. For more details, including contest rules and winning clips from last year's contest, check out www.provenfilm.com.  

•Visit www.newyorksurf.com for an in-depth interview with homegrown Long Island shaper Jeff Anderson.  

•Richie Sperber, along with partners Tim Dalene and Charlie Ly, have started NRO Photography, based out of eastern Long Island. Whenever Montauk Point is on, these guys are getting the shots, and they also do a local surfer interview every week in the East Hampton Star. To scope some of the evidence, go to www.nrophotography.com.  

•The first-ever Paddle Around Manhattan went down on July 16th, sponsored by the Surfers' Environmental Alliance. Hawaiian heavyweights Gerry Lopez and Darrick Doerner even showed up in the Big Apple to lend their support and help raise funds for autism awareness.  

•New Hampshire videographer Joe Carter and Maine-based ESM Senior Photographer Nick LaVecchia wrote in about their trip to Southern California to gather clips for Joe's upcoming video, Get In The Van 2. While filming with Zoo York riders Pat Millin and Nick Jiampa, the crew hooked up with Cali-based Zoo affiliates Mirko Mangum and Tim Swart at their concept shop UNIV in Encinitas. Look for GITV 2 in shops soon, and if you happen to be out west this summer, scope out the hard-to-find apparel and sneakers at UNIV.  

•We haven't heard from our New York pal Chris Tomlin in awhile, causing us to wonder if the guy was still surfing. Fortunately, we came across a Youtube.com clip of the Bunger Surf Shop rider going mental in his hometown waters. To see it, visit www.youtube.com and search "Chris Tomlin."  

•And wrapping things up with a little upcoming events love, Jonny Gozzo of Secret Spot Distribution filled us in on all the details of his August Northeast tour with Erie Peeples of Florida's Erie Surfboards and New Smyrna Beach, FL, punkers Reform. The crew will kick things off on August 7th at 7-Ply Surf Shop in Westerly, RI, then August 8th will find them at Cape Cod, MA's, Little Overhead. On August 9th, they'll travel to Cinnamon Rainbows in Hampton, NH, and on August 10th, they will wrap things up at new Portland, ME, shop Corduroy Surf. Whether you're looking for a new board from a committed sponsor of Northeast surfers or just want to hear some solid tunes, give these Florida guys a hand for venturing so far away from home to mix things up. ­Compiled by Nick McGregor

Mid-Atlantic Blahs

•With all the new surf talent blossoming out of Buxton, NC, these days, it was only a matter of time until someone was gonna take a stab at shooting this next generation of Hatty shredders, like ace lensman and local leg' Russell Blackwood used to do back in the day. Longtime bodyboarder and multitalented artist Daniel Pullen recently submitted a package to Eastern Surf containing some very revealing action snips of First Groin-bred tube specialist and ESA Allstar Brett Barley. Pick up next issue of ESM to see the latest results from another one of Pullen's photographic projects. This guy shows promise.  

•Despite small surf at Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, DE, the Quiet Storm Delaware State Surfing Championships went off nonetheless on June 2nd. ESA Allstar Vince Boulanger, one of last issue's Who Da Guys and all-around Delmarva phenom, took home the Open Shortboard and Men's titles in his first year competing in those tough divisions, while Chris Makibbin won Open Longboard, Men's Longboard, and Masters Shortboard, and 11-year-old Floridian Emily Ruppert took Open Women's and Girls Shortboard. For full results, turn to Page 158, and for more Delmarva deets, check out www.delmarvaesa.org.

 •Two weeks later and in much better waves, Vince Boulanger again took Open Shortboard and Men's titles at the Chauncey's Surfabout in Ocean City, MD. Also claiming a shortboard title was Vince's brother, Joey Boulanger, in Junior Men's.

 •Meanwhile, down in Virginia Beach, VA, Tony Silvagni pulled off a 4x4 by taking home four titles at the 4th Annual Steel Pier Longboard Classic, put on by the Virginia Longboard Association May 26th-27th. Tony defeated the pack in Pro Longboard, Open Retro Longboard, Kanaka Longboard, and Tandem. The Kure Beach, NC, standout continued his winning ways two weeks later at the Herden Label Memorial Classic, held at Myrtle Beach, SC, where the Open Longboard, Men's Longboard, and Men's Shortboard trophies accompanied Tony home. After a quick jaunt to California, Silvagni looks forward to July 21st-22nd, when the Bavaria Holland Beer 2nd Annual Pro/Am Silvagni Benefit is slated to commence at Ft. Fisher, NC.

 •Major congrats to Cape May, NJ, pro and Monument rider Jason Reagan and his enchanting significant other Talia Crespo, who just had their first baby daughter, Malia May Reagan, born May 11th in Mayaguez, PR, and weighing in at a healthy 7 lbs. 4 oz.

 •Vah Beach native Julie Brockmeyer Stine recently hooked up with FEW-New Zealand as their Florida sales rep. FEW is a major sponsor of the ESA, and with Julie (who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and NZ) onboard, the Kiwi company's presence on the East Coast will certainly continue to grow.

 •In Maryland deets, Surfrider Ocean City Chapter held a Kahuna Stomp, Legends Party, and Longboard Team Challenge the weekend of June 8th-9th, which included a memorial paddle-out for East Coast legend Bill Wise. In addition, the chapter gave out two scholarships this year to Elizabeth VandeClute and Logan Helmuth.

 •In further Ocean City, MD, deets, Alexander Piela wanted to put everyone on the lookout for a long-lost Lightning Bolt knockoff with stars and stripes painted on the tail. Piela loaned the board to Dewey Beach Surf and Sport owner Jerry Seilig back in 2001, and if anyone has seen the board or knows where Jerry is located, please e-mail Alexander at commanderphoto@yahoo.com.

 •ESM Senior Photographer Donald Cresitello gave us the heads-up on the latest Manasquan transplant news. Doug Moreau now helms Talon Surfboards, a grassroots surfboard label with a social conscience. In addition to keeping the Inlet Cult boys on new equipment, Doug and Talon have also teamed up with StayClass to raise money for cancer research. Good on ya, Doug! For more details, visit www.talonsurfboards.com.

 •Tarheel artist Clark Hipolito's recent Surf du Jour show at Wilmington, NC's, Deluxe continued its reputation for success, with international magazines taking notice and recording artist Pink even commissioning a piece. Hipolito and company will move to Raleigh, NC, next, with the Against The Grain display running at April & George throughout July. If you can't make the show, go to www.art-company.com for visuals.

 •Jersey boy Michael Ciaramella won three divisions at NSSA Northeast Conference Contest #2 on June 2nd, taking the Open Juniors, Explorer Juniors, and Explorer Boys titles.

 •Big ups to Virginian outsider and WRV teamrider Steve Owens for taking down Garden State heavyweights Andrew Gesler, Dean Randazzo, and Jamie Moran at the Atlantic City Pro/Am #2, held June 16th.

 •Delmarva veteran Bruce Gabrielson just got back from 10 days in Hawaii, where he surfed at least one island we shall leave unnamed and "never saw another surfer in the water." After that, he jetted over to Oahu and caught some waves with Delaware native Aaron Powell, who got some love in this issue's "One Step Back, Two Steps Forward" Longboard Feature, beginning on Page 98. Gabrielson also serves as the chairman of the National Surfing Schools and Instructors Association (NSSIA), and wanted to give Ocean City, MD, surf artist Bonnie Preziosi props as one of the organization's newest instructors. You can scope Bonnie's work at www.bpwaves.com.

 •Philadelphia upstart Greenlight Surfboard Supply is leading the eco-charge by manufacturing bamboo stringers, glass, and fins for East Coast boardbuilders. Brian Gagliana heads the company and also produces instructional videos for aspiring shapers interested in alternative but natural materials. Greenlight is also sponsoring a first-time board-shaping contest, with a free trip to Costa Rica waiting for the most productive beginner. For visuals and more information, peep www.greenlightsurfsupply.com.

 •South Jersey ripper and this issue's On The Pro-Grom profilee Rob Kelly recently got back from a trip to Mexico with Transworld Surf photog Seth Stafford and new UM Surfboards Team Manager Hagan Kelley. Turn to Page 54 for Rob's dossier, put together with help from Jersey multimedia men Jon Coen (writer) and Trevor Moran (photographer).

 •Just to show everyone that fame hasn't gone to his head and he still has some competitive chops left in him, OBX native-turned-Cali transplant and Fuel TV's New Pollution host Matt Beacham placed 2nd in the Open Men's division at the Christian Surfing Federation's Oceanside, CA, contest back in April. Hmmm... do we smell another run at the Quiksilver King of the Peak this November, Matty?

 •In other East-goes-west transplant news, Jersey native Tim Swart recently became the IPath Marketing Director.

 •Brick, NJ, surf shop No Flat Earth will put on two free grom contests in August: one for girls on August 2nd, and one for boys on August 16th. For more details, call 732-262-8404.

 •The Party Block in Ocean City, MD, played host to Critical Surf Company's new video, Due East, on June 22nd. Find out more at criticalsurfcompany.com. The next day, Billabong's Virginian instigator, Raven Lundy, and a slew of 'Bong boys (who were featured heavily in Due East) steered in to Baltimore for the 2007 AST Dew Tour stop, where the company's top skate pro, Bucky Lasek, managed to place 4th in the vert finals despite recovering from a knee injury.

 •If you're looking for a hilarious two-minute diversion, check out Nub's latest video, The Meltdown, at www.gofish.com/channel/nubthemeltdown, where you can get a look at a day in the life of South Jersey ripper Ben Graeff and his wacky friends.

 •In further Jersey deets, the boys over at Jetty Life sent word that they've got new Summer 2007 gear exclusively in shops -- this stuff will be in limited quantities online, so you've got to hoof it down to your local haunt if you want to get the scoop. Peep www.jettylife.com for more info.

 •Surf City, NC's, ripping resident brutha'man Mike Beech recently moved to Oceanside, CA, to attend the San Diego School of Arts to get involved in their graphic design and photography program. While he admits to already missing the Eastside, Beech insists that he's staying awhile in hopes of landing a kick-ass job in the surf industry, adding, "Is Cali ready for a black man who surfs!?!" Probably, but we'll put our money on Beech easily comboing Sal Masakela any day of the week if he comes across the guy in a heat. Best of luck out there, Beech!

 •Longtime Washington, DC's, Surfrider Capitol Chapter member and world traveler Darryl Hatheway recently tied the knot with Virginia's Peggy Kraft. The surf-stoked newlyweds held a family-only ceremony at Cabo San Lucas, and from there spent their honeymoon surfing through Baja Sur.

•And wrapping up the domestic delight news, Buxton, NC, local boy Courtney Whitehead and his wife Melissa welcomed their daughter Ruby Elisabeth into the world on May 16th. Congratulations to the whole family! ­Compiled by Nick McGregor

Southeast Blahs

•Just when it looked like the Eastside was gonna get shut out and denied a single finalist at the Volcom VQS Totally Crustaceous World Surfing Championships -- held at 54th Street, Newport Beach, CA, the weekend of May 11th-13th -- Isabela, PR, slayer Dylan Graves stepped up in the "Protesters" (Pro-Am) division, placing 3rd and pocketing $4000. Thanks for holding it down and allowing us to save face, Dylan!  

•Murrell's Inlet, SC, super grom Cam Richards recently joined the Kustom Footwear team, falling in with several professional big guns from around the world. Look for Cam to make a big splash at the 2007 ESA Easterns in September.  

•In South Florida news, Surf Central Shop Manager Teague Taylor traveled to Nicaragua with his new sponsor Quiksilver, where he and a few of the head honchos lucked into head-high waves for the entire duration of their trip. Surf Central also sends out a belated welcome to new teamrider and South Florida kingpin Ryan Helm.  

•Texas photog Chuck Turkington wrote in to say the Gulf Coast got good waves in May, rounding off what he called a "kick-ass spring." They even had swell for the Texas Gulf Surfing Association (TGSA) State Championships. Scope out the evidence at www.spi360.com.  

•Viking Surfboards boss Christian Wolthers informed us that Mauricio Kuhne received a promotion, moving up from Team Manager to VP of Operations and Sales. For more on Viking, turn to Page 63 which features a piece about teamriders Josh Wilson and Savannah Bradley's recent trip to Guatemala.  

•Surfet's Surf Shack in Cocoa Beach, FL, is hosting Friday Night Chick Flicks outside their shop on 2nd Street North all summer. Upcoming dates include July 27th and August 10th, and you can find movie titles online at www.surfet.com.  

•Scholars Word dropped us a line about their summer tour spanning the East Coast in July. Peep the dates at www.scholarsword.com, and look for North Florida ripper Dane Jeffries sitting in on guitar.  

•In other summer tour news, Lance-O from the Dirty South's Kulcha Shok Muzik notified us of their August dates, featuring ska/ reggae band Made of Hemp and the world premiere of Diary Of A Surfer. The tour will span Miami to Jacksonville and all spots in between, so go to www.kulchashok.com for details.  

•The crew at Ohana Surf Shop in Stuart, FL, said their favorite punk band Last Laugh just got picked up by Anarchy Sunglasses. You can listen to their tunes at www.lastlaughtv.com. Ohana also held the Freedom Fest '07 on July 4th to benefit The Walter Reed Army Hospital for wounded combat veterans. Good on ya, Ohana!  

•Local groms got served up down at Jobos Beach, PR, on May 26th when the Rip Curl GromSearch presented by Boost Mobile rolled into town. Eric Torres took home the coveted Boys 16 & Under trophy in overhead bombs, earning a trip to the GromSearch National Championships, where he will compete for a slot in next year's Bells Beach WCT event. For full results, turn to Page 158, and keep track of the other regional qualifiers at www.ripcurl.com.  

•In further contest news, the 6th Annual Waterman's Challenge went down June 9th-10th at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront in Cocoa Beach. Coinciding with the city's 82nd birthday and benefitting the East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Fame, this contest brought family fun back to Cocoa Beach (i.e. no beer sponsors or bikini contests), as well as hosting the East Coast's first Stand-up Paddleboard Contest, won by Jon E. Bragg. In the Pro Longboard division, East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Famer Mimi Munro took the Women's title, while Justin Quintal won Men's. Other notable champs included Shawn "The Showman" Bowman and Tommy Evans. Mind you all of this happened in sub-one-foot surf, so a big hand to Mike Meyer, Dave Miller, Matt Bellina, and the rest of the crew responsible for pulling it off.  

•Mimi Munro will also be inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, CA, this summer. 'Bout time this wahine pioneer got her place on the Walk.  

•Rich Salick gave us an advance heads-up about the 22nd Annual NKF Surf Festival sponsored by Cocoa Beach Surf Company, which will go down Labor Day weekend. The NKF is also sponsoring a post-festival cruise from Port Canaveral on September 20th-23rd. If you have questions, e-mail Rich at rsalick@kidneyfla.org.  

•The ESA-Treasure Coast District wanted to give a shout to 2006/ 2007 season champs Justin Croteau, Frank Roper, JC Dillon, Sean Dowd, Bruce Cohn, Jim Tolliver, and Erica Elliot. Good luck at Easterns!  

•Word from Costa Rica arrived that Shifi Ettinger has been getting some sick shots of South Carolina competitor Andrew Gregorie. Also catching Shifi's attention was Surf Station teamrider and Flagler Beach, FL, wahine Haley Watson.  

•In other Surf Station news, if you weren't hit by the media onslaught last month, scope out www.surf-station.com for pictures of the damage done to the shop by a drunk driver. Go drop a few bucks at SS and help the recovery along.  

•St. Augustine, FL, ripper Casey Stahr returned from Mainland Mexico raving about "all the sick right points" he scored while onboard the Royal Pelagic, a former Alaskan crab boat converted into the finest oceangoing surf travel yacht around. For more information on the Pelagic's filthy five-star amenities, go to www.royalpelagic.com.  

•Jedidiah has successfully thrown several art shows up and down the coast of Florida this summer, so visit www.jedidiahusa.com for visual evidence.  

•In more Jedidiah deets, Satellite Beach, FL-based teamrider Danny Cruden wrote in after spending his birthday riding the bus and surfing through Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.  

•Puerto Rico loc' dog Leslie Bursian traveled to "Somewhere in Mexico" back in May, scoring waves he conservatively described as having "maybe three-foot backs."  

•New Smyrna Beach, FL, surf artist Chris Robb has a new website up at www.chrisrobb.com.  

•Flagler Beach, FL, locals Jimmy Blumenfeld and Matt Novak scored a little local love with a feature in the May issue of Palm Coast Lifestyles. Novak nabbed the cover, and you can read the positive write-up at www.palmcoast-lifestyles.com.  

•Heads up Myrtle Beach, SC, retro bros: Balsa Bill Surf Shop has arrived with a new location at 5901 North Kings Hwy. Run by John James under license from East Coast Surfing Legends Hall of Famer Bill Yerkes, the shop specializes in balsa wood surfboards, classic surf trunks, and vintage T-shirts. Give 'em a call at 843-692-7873 or look 'em up on the web at www.balsabill.com.  

•Up-and-coming photog Bret Warren has been working hard around South Beach Miami lately, even scoring a shot of MJ Sizemore getting shacked during TS Barry on www.surfline.com.  

•Gulf Coast photog Andrew Wardlow also sent us some promising stuff from Barry's appearance in Panama City, FL.  

•And Jupiter, FL, local Jeremy Stanley submitted some photos by "Twitch" documenting his six-week jaunt in Bali.  

•The Insight Clothing team also returned from a video shoot in Bali, with East Coast chargers Warren Smith, Jason Apparicio, and the Jamaican Wilmot dynasty on-hand. Check the teaser at www.surfingmagazine.com, and for more Insight into this brand's SIMA Award-winning vision, go to www.insight51.com.  

•In other Jamaica news, the new SUN Sports TV series Island Hoppers will debut August 10th, documenting travels around the island in search of surf, music, and Caribbean culture. See details of Robert Lyons and Lance-O's project at www.myspace.com/islandhopperstv.  

•The University of Central Florida Surf Team wanted to give a big thanks to Ron Jon Surf Shop for subsidizing the team's trip to the NSSA Nationals to compete in the collegiate divisions.  

•Ron Jon's also got Lisa Andersen back on the Right Coast from June 29th-30th as part of Roxy's Get Outside Tour.  

•Revelation Productions just released their new video, Gulf Fury: Hurricanes Of 2005, and word is the footage is sick. Check the trailer at www.revelationproductions.net.  

•Our apologies to Stuart, FL, local Donna Musso for printing her last name as "Russo" in last issue's blahs. Thanks to Brandi Schmidt for pointing out our error, and our thoughts are with Brandi's nine-year-old daughter Kasey, who was bitten by a shark at Vilano Beach on June 17th. Luckily, no serious damage was done, and Brandi said, "I was blown away by how well she handled the pain." Hope to see ya in the water soon, Kasey!  

•New Florida members of the National Surfing Schools and Instructors Association include Gulf Coast heir Yancy Spencer IV, Cocoa Beach pro Ashley Francis, and longboarder Michael Wood.  

•And wrapping up the blahs with some heartwarming St. Auggie deets, our most heartfelt congrats go out to longtime Oldest City shredder Scott Marvin and former ESM Assistant Art Director Danielle Zirkelbach on their picture-perfect June 10th wedding. Sorry we couldn't make it up there kiddies, but this blah should be enough to let you know you've never left our thoughts. Best of luck for a long and happy life together. ­Compiled by Nick McGregor

More From Everywhere Blahs

•Outer Banks, NC-based FCS/ Gorilla Grip rep Nigel Haynes is now officially riding for TK Shapes, handmade by local craftsman Ted Kearns, and he also got picked up by Katin along with Brevard County ripper Danny Estes.  

•News from Nosara, CR, came in detailing Del Mar Realty associate and St. Augustine, FL, native Kristin Wilson's founding of an Alternative Energy Resources group. Wilson joins other realtors and developers in working with the Costa Rican government to develop regulatory plans for the Guanacaste region.  

•Australia's Global Surf Industries recently signed a worldwide distribution deal with McTavish Surfboards, allowing one of the shortboard's original proprietors to place his shapes up and down the East Coast. GSI currently has boards in Rhode Island's Warm Winds Surf Shop, New Jersey's 7th Street and Heritage Surf Shops, Kill Devil Hills, NC's, The Pit, Maryland's K-Coast Surf Shop, and Indialantic, FL's, Longboard House.  

•Rip Curl's 2007 GromSearch Series took on two heavy helping hands last month, adding Boost Mobile and Arnette to their plate of sponsors. The contest series will swing through New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida in August, so look up www.ripcurl.com for exact dates and times.  

•In other grom news, 14-year-old Carissa Moore took down a field of more than 50 boys at Quiksilver's King of the Groms event in Hawaii. Bros of all ages better look out for this frothing queen in the future. For a detailed look at the KOG's Florida stop, turn to Page 52.  

•Our condolences go out to friends and family of Southampton, NY's, Sunrise To Sunset Surf Shop owner Steve Donohoe, who passed away on May 25th from congestive heart failure. He was 54. Steve was a longtime fixture in the Hamptons surf scene and a truly funny guy who devoted 27 years to Sunrise To Sunset. ESM sends our love and prayers to his wife Margaret and their three daughters.  

•Kevin and Sherri Murray of Jedidiah recently traveled to Uganda to visit their daughter Kerri, who works for Invisible Children. The family toured a displaced persons refugee camp and an orphanage, coming back with a new perspective on life. For more, visit their blog at www.jedidiahusa.com, where you can also read a review of Bryan Jennings and crew's upcoming Walking on Water flick.  

•The inaugural Rip Curl Stew contest kicked off June 14th-16th at Cox Bay in Tofino, British Columbia, giving Vancouver Island a chance to display its world-class waves and topnotch surfers. Look for results at www.ripcurl.com.  

•The Cali mags never even try to claim the Midwest, so we're proud to do it: Adio Footwear's skate team recently made the trek through the heartland in June, hitting up parks throughout the Great Lakes and into Indiana and Kentucky. For visual evidence, check out www.adiofootwear.com.  

•Adio is also hooking up with Dragon to run a three-stop Mystery Tour on the west coast this fall, looking for that unsponsored "mystery kid" who rips the hardest and deserves a contract with the two companies. A noble cause, for sure, but Dragon and Adio could do a lot worse than bringing this tour to the East Coast. We've got a ton of "mystery kids" over here who can rip the bearings off any OC groms! Visit www.dragonmysterytour.com.  

•Balti Magdirila from Hawaiian Island Creations gave us the heads-up on HIC's new 2S sunblock. The cream's been getting rave reviews. Apparently, even Matthew McConaughey bought 50 bottles of it for his upcoming movie, Surfer Dude. Hey, if Hollywood's very own "2M" uses it, it must be cool, right?  

•South Florida regulator-turned-brief Cali expat Shawn Murray returned to his roots recently, moving back to Florida and into the East Coast Team & Marketing Manager position for Ezekiel. Good to have ya back, Murdog!  

•Monte Martin of Christian Surfers wrote in to tell us about an auction and outdoor concert held June 5th in Jaco, Costa Rica, to benefit the Christian Surfers Costa Rica Chapter. The auction raised over $1200, and Australian singer Joshua Koutoulas rocked the outdoor deck at the Best Western Jaco. Most amazingly, Monte and fellow CS'er Jason Soares put on the show in a week's notice, and the two didn't even think about a benefit until meeting up with Joshua. For more info or to help this chapter stay successful, visit www.christiansurfers.net or www.christiansurferscostarica.com.  

•Bean Dip familia member Butta Verses has an interview up on www.allhiphop.com. Check this South Florida-based and Bronx-born rapper's insights into his new album, and for further Bean Dip deets, log on to www.beandipclothing.com.  

•Billabong USA just signed on as the fifth company joining Project Blue, a product initiative where proceeds from sales will benefit Surfrider. Look for exclusive boardshorts from the 'Bong to join products from Electric, Nixon, Reef, and Dakine, all to support our oceans and beaches. For more on Project Blue, head to www.betruetoblue.com.  

•If you wind up with any nasty jellyfish stings this summer, reach for Neutralize It Marine, a new product meant to counteract the nasty bugger's venom and relieve itching. Weighing in at $8.49 for 1.8 oz, it's a little pricey, but hey, it's better than having your buddy pee on you. Scope it out at www.jawsbrands.com.  

•Surftech recently came out with Strap Pad traction inserts to allow for ridiculous kiteboard-style airs. Check out www.surftech.com for more info.  

•Sticky Bumps just launched their new website at www.stickybumps.com.  

•Former Surfing Magazine Associate Editor and traveling pro Hagan Kelley signed on as Sales and Team Manager for UM Surfboards. Hagan's reportedly "more stoked than Captain Crunch" about his new position.  

•And in other UM blahs, Charley "Cabo" Stevens recently joined the pro team, and the company is hyping its Quadra-X design for Summer 2007. Go to www.umdesigns.com for details.  

•In other team hookups, Scott Marvin from The Walker Project just signed with Bully's, and TWP got their hands on North Carolina ripper Justin Fulford.  

•East Coast-born Quiksilver bigwigs Todd Kline and MoDaddy Sanford chipped in for a good cause back in May by taking mini-grom Evan Cousineau for a day-long surf at San Onofre. Evan has ALD, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, and his dad Mark said he was stoked to spend a day with family, friends, and surfing pros.  

•The latest piece of high-class surf culture to grace our desks is the zombie/ surf flick Bay Of The Dead. Put together by the Byron Bay duo of Jason Collins and Johnny Abegg, the film details what happens when an enraged local tries to take back his overcrowded spot. If you need to satisfy your zombie fetish, go to www.jcainternational.com.  

•Alternative materials abound in today's surf industry, but chalk up another new one to the list: polyurethane blanks made from sugar. Ice-Nine Foam Works recently purchased the technology from a company in Mexico and are in the process of setting up an East Coast warehouse. Visit www.ice-ninefoamworks.com.  

•Go211.com, a video sharing site dedicated to sports enthusiasts, held the Scene First Student Film Festival in Wilmington, NC June 14th-16th. One Winter Story, an award-winning documentary on the life of Maverick's hellwoman Sarah Gerhardt, made its East Coast premiere, with the directors on-hand to answer questions and assist students. For a trailer, visit www.frankfilms.net.  

•Jeff Crego at Mainframe Media made ESM's day when he mailed us a DVD covering 10 Years of Pandemonium. The disc included white-hot, never-before-seen footage of the entire Jax crew, along with heaps of extras like dated clips of Crego, Asher Nolan, Ryan Briggs, Aaron Frosio, and Daniel Terry holding it down at home, North Florida's eight-year stranglehold on the ESA Easterns, and so much more. Besides being incredibly entertaining, Crego's submission does a good job of showing how long these guys have actually been doing their thing, and we think it's about time for another Pandemonium flick. Thanks for the inspiration, Jeff.  

•If you're searching for an accurate Northeast surf forecast, look no further than New York and New Jersey-centered www.dukestorm.com. With more than 130 "eyes on" surf reporters in the area, they've got the region dialed.  

•And while we're on the subject of quality websites, head on over to www.playero.com. Tony Yordan has put together an informative and attractive clearinghouse for PR info, with everything from surf reports to travel features, industry news, and design forums.  

•If you're looking for some cool Jersey Shore-inspired artwork, visit Ronnie Jackson's website www.carvinart.com.  

•"Dude, you scored the cover!" South Carolina native Drew Brophy got some cover love of a different kind when his pen and acrylic "Pure Joy" made the front of Longboard Magazine's latest Surf Art issue.  

•Finishing off this month's blahs, a big hand goes out to New Hampshire surfer Jim Dudra, who recently won YouthNoise's "Go Green" Challenge by developing the EcoTouch waterless car wash system, which can save up to 800 gallons of water and doesn't use any petroleum, kerosene, or silicone. Good on ya, Jim! ­Compiled by Nick McGregor