Northeast Blahs

•The 40th Annual New England Mid-Winter Surfing Championships went down on February 16th at Narragansett Town Beach, RI. Unfortunately, the contest missed thumping double-overhead swell by only two days, but still managed to pull in some two to three-foot peelers. Chuck Barend took home three titles; Courtney Sutherland, Josh Trotta, Ana Barend, and Katie Zullo each swiped two; and Pat Redmond, Jeff Benoit, Cobb Fields, and Mike Salvadore each managed to win one trophy. Vie results page for full results.

•The inaugural New York Surf Film Festival will be held in September, showcasing three days worth of independent shorts and features, classic surf flicks, and world premieres from big-name filmmakers. Spearheaded by local Empire Staters Adam Cannizarro, Tyler Breuer, and Michael Machemer, the festival aims to provide filmmakers with a larger audience while enabling the growth of the surf community in NYC. Submission forms, eligibility information, and entry rules can be found at
www.nysurffilm.com.

•Maine surfers, take note: a public hearing will be held on March 26th at the York Town Library in York concerning a proposed revision to the ordinance governing surfing in town limits. A strong turnout from the local community could make all the difference, so step up and make sure your voice is heard.

•ESM received some beautiful shots from Claire Hassett documenting the Christmas Eve swell that hit Massachusetts. Big ups to Steve Hassett and Brendan McCray for braving the icy waters. Head over to www.clairehassett.smugmug.com to peep the evidence.

•In other Mass news, longtime Nantasket Beach surfer John Burns has gotten together with other old-timers in the area to host the Surf ‘68 40-Year Reunion on June 28th. Anyone who survived the 1966-1970 Hull, MA, surfing scene is welcome to attend. Find out more details at www.surf68.com.

•In other Massachusetts deets, Shawn Vecchione has a new factory up in Orleans promising a quick turnaround time. Vec’s also got a new website up at www.vecsurfboards.com.

•Rhode Island madman Sid “The Package” Abruzzi announced that Waterbros will launch their spring and summer catalog soon, featuring hoodies, long and short-sleeve shirts, and headwear designed by Northeast artists such as Shepard Farley, Chill Mott, and Logan Hill. Any other designers interested in contributing can contact Sid at
www.myspace.com/waterbros or sidthepackage@cox.net. The Package also announced plans to release color prints of classic Waterbros pictures, along with a winter DVD release documenting the company’s 35-year existence.

•If you’re looking for some groovin’ tunes to get you through this dreary Long Island winter, head over to Lefty’s Candlelight Bar & Grille in Lindenhurst, NY, on March 22nd for the Lindenhurst Luau. Featuring The Tarantinos, The Outpatients, and Mr. Action & The Boss Guitars, a good ol’ surf music time is guaranteed. Hit Johnny C. up with questions at iplayloud@aol.com.

•New York up-and-comer TJ Gumiela now rides for Globe Clothing.

•Skye Nacel gave us the heads up on New Hampshire’s newest grind spot, Las Olas Taqueria in Exeter, NH. Opened by Rye Rocks charger Matty Burke and his wife Julie, you can be sure Las Olas will serve up some fine post-surf eats.

•All you budding photographers out there, make sure you enter the MoreBeach.com Cold Water Surfing Photo Contest. Send your pictures of frigid beauty to www.morebeach.com by March 14th, and you could win a new Billabong winter suit along with $200 cash.

•We here at ESM don’t mind spreading a little Jersey love north to New York. Check out www.nynjsurf.com for details on the 2008 Little Nasty Big Wave Charity Surf Competition. The basics? Between March 1st and March 31st, get your picture taken wearing a yellow “Do It For Dean!” rashguard on the biggest wave, and help Dean Randazzo beat his fourth round of cancer. Flip over to Page 28 for more on Doo Doo’s plight.

•Check out Aquaholics Surf Shop in Kennebunk, ME, a female-owned and operated shop that recently moved into a new location. Aquaholics also has some deep discounts on wetsuits listed on their website www.aquaholicsurf.com.

•Long Island wahine Mirabai James sent us a batch of shots from her annual trek to Maui, along with a solid cold-water shot of Montauk Lighthouse. Mirabai works at Stony Brook Hospital as an RN in the neonatal ICU when she’s not hitting the frigid New York lineups.

•The Montanaro Gallery in Newport, RI, held their Preview 2008 opening on February 15th and 16th, with works by popular Northeast artists such as Julie Goldstein, Ty Williams, Jesse Reno, and Mikey
Welsh. Scope www.montanarogallery.com for more information.

•Stoking the surf cam debate fire, vandals cut down the Minardi Beach cam in East Hampton, NY, back in December. According to police, a chainsaw was used to remove the overwhelmingly popular camera, which was receiving 6000 to 7000 hits a day. In addition to giving surfers a look at the waves, the cam was used to provide weather and ocean conditions to NOAA and EHV Ocean Rescue. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scott Aldrich of East Hampton Village at detectivealdrich@gmail.com. All leads and information are guaranteed to remain anonymous.

•ESM sends condolences to the friends and family of recently departed Tom Christo, father of New Hampshire surfer TC Christo.

•In other New Hammy deets, check out www.cinnamonrainbows.com and click on Ralph’s Pic Of The Week, where you’ll find a sick shot of Kevin “Doc” Grondin ripping back in 1983. Right below that, you’ll find a pic of this Northeast legend ripping in 2008, too. As Ralph says, “This is the future, kids!”

•In Rhodey news, Surfrider Rhode Island Chapter kicked off 2008 with another round of Blue Water Task Force water sampling on January 26th. Nearly all of the 14 sampled spots came back with pristine results. On February 17th, the group celebrated the launch of their new website, www.risurfrider.org, at Mariner Grill in Point Judith, and the following week, the chapter teamed up with Surfrider Massachusetts Chapter for a Snowrider event at Sugarbush, VT.

•Surfrider Rhode Island also wanted to get the word out about their upcoming Spring Cleanup and Earth Day Celebration on April 5th at Narragansett Town Beach. As of press time, plans include another Eco Depot and hazardous waste pickup, sponsored by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation. Details on that can be found at www.rirrc.org. Thanks, as always, to Peter Pan for keeping us informed.

•Check out www.nesurfari.com for water photos taken by Jamie Hosker of Brickhouse Boards in Marblehead and Gloucester, MA. Brickhouse also sponsored a Ramp Camp outing on February 19th for the Rye Airfield skatepark in Rye, NH. Log on to www.ryeairfield.com for more on this excellent year-round skater’s paradise.

•Rhode Island shaper Dave Levy headed down to Costa Rica this winter to oversee his designs for Witch’s Rock Surfboards. Look up Dave’s work at www.levysurfdesigns.com.

•Also spotted escaping the frigid Rhode Island winter in Costa Rica was Matunuck Surf Shop owner Bob Fox.

•Sayville, NY, shaper Johnny Knapp has a new blog up for his surfboard company Natures Shapes at www.naturesshapes.blogspot.com.

•And Northeast O’Neill rep Greg Levy made his way to Florida, California, and Las Vegas on the wintertime trade show route, but all that work hasn’t slowed down Greg’s surfing, as he’s still ripping the Rhodey reefs and points on a regular basis.

•Huntington Beach, CA-born aerial hellman and adopted New Yorker Ryan Carlson made his way back East this winter to renew his Right Coast visa, once again teaming up with Long Beach, NY-based ESM Senior Photographer Mike Nelson for a trip to Massachusetts with fellow Unsound teamer Sean Killarney. The crew also met up with Carlson’s longtime friend from HB, Timmy Turner, in Cape Cod, where Timmy was shooting for his hugely anticipated upcoming movie, Cold Thoughts. After that, Carlson ventured down to Puerto Rico with former Myrtle Beach, SC, shredder Mike Hoisington, who joins Ryan as one of the first surfing teamriders for the new company O’Quinn Clothing. Carlson says he’ll be helping out with building the O’Quinn team in the months to come. He promptly made good on that promise by also signing Brevard County tech wizard Phillip Watters. Go to www.oquinnclothing.com for more.

•On the romantic tip, Rhode Island ripper Justin Casey proposed to his longtime girlfriend Heather Laurin on Christmas Eve at Ruggles; Fellow Rhodey boy Chris Lane tied the knot with his wife Jackie at Josiah’s Bay, Tortola; and Henri Payne proposed to his longtime girlfriend Elizabeth Doyle (Ruggles local/ Pat Doyle’s sister), also in Tortola. Congratulations to all three couples from ESM.

•And finally, congratulations to New York shaper Tommy Bunger and his wife Agnes on the birth of their son Thomas Alexandra. Tommy joked, “Since Thomas was born three months earlier, he’ll be the shaper, and my nephew Charles III will just be the salesman.” Either way, the Bungers will be going strong into the next generation. –Compiled by Nick McGregor      

Mid-Atlantic Blahs

•Down New Hanover County way, Mary Ann Mangiacapre of the ESA-SNC District sent word that Wesley Bell is now out of the hospital and on his way to a slow but steady recovery. Also, the Wilmington, NC, community turned out in force for UNCW Randall Library’s grand opening of Country Soul: The Surfing Experience in Southeastern North Carolina. The exhibit will run through November 30th of this year, so you’ve got plenty of time to check it out; out-of-towners can look it up at www.library.uncwilm.edu/surf. Joseph “Skipper” Funderbung was even spotted at the exhibition recently, leaking news of his upcoming book, Surfing On The Cape Fear Coast.

•In other North Carolina news, Hatteras-born shredder and all-around good guy Jason Andre fulfilled a lifelong dream back in December by picking up full-time national sponsorship from Rip Curl. Head over to www.christiansurfers.com to hear an audio interview with Andre about his most recent exploits.

•LBI, NJ, kingpin Randy Townsend joined the Jetty Clothing squad as a rider and team manager in January and went straight to work, placing 2nd in the Expression Session at the Surf For Dean charity fundraiser, held for Dean Randazzo on February 9th. Flip over to Page 28 for the full story.

•While we’re on the Jetty, this grassroots Garden State company teamed up with Tim Erickson of Boarders Without Borders to release a T-shirt for the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Peep it at www.jettylife.com.

•Other New Jersey team deets finds Tom Petriken now riding for Sharp Eye Surfboards and Spellbinders Surf Shop. Tommy’s currently on a month-long trip on the North Shore scoring some truly killer surf.

•And in still more Jersey team news, Movement Clothing welcomed Kevin Richards back into the fold, just in time for his sick double-page spread in last issue’s Big ‘Uns Photo Feature (Vol.17, #126). Check Movement out at www.movement01.com.

•Before we stray too far from the subject of Dean Randazzo, we had to spotlight Sweetwater Surf Shop Manager Tony Butler’s efforts to raise money for Doo Doo. Butler, Allen McCauley, and Rip Curl rep Brad Williams teamed up to debut the new Lightning Strikes video in Wrightsville Beach, NC, with all proceeds going directly to Dean, along with a $5000 check courtesy of Hope From Helen, Inc.

•Speaking of Sweetwater, Jimmy “Vegas” Mendillo edited the shop team’s video footage from a recent trip to Nicaragua. Scope it out, along with some hilarious gangsta rap parodies, at www.youtube.com/27avesouth.

•Denis Weiler, New Jersey-based East Coast rep for UM Surfboards, stopped by the ESM office back in January to announce UM’s recent signing of Florida wunderkind Adam Wickwire. The 2007 ASP North American Junior champ will have his own pro model out in Spring 2008, and Denis assured us that everyone involved is stoked to have one of the East Coast’s most promising young pros on board. Check out the thorough and eye-pleasing UM website at www.umdesigns.com.

•Maryland loc’dogs Dave “Doc” Dalkiewicz and Keith Bondurant bumped into ESM Publisher Tom Dugan at the Backyard Bar in Hermosa Beach, Costa Rica, back in January. Doc and Keith were on their first jaunt to CR, and according to Dugan were having a blast at “Ladies’ Night.”

•Virginia Beach, VA’s, Pungo Board House just added Brett Carey to the team. The soon-to-be doctor (also sponsored by Deeper Surfboards and Monster Energy Drinks) has been extremely busy with clinicals, but still plans on surfing the East Coast WQS contests this year.

•The 3rd Annual Golden Glove Core Surf Contest presented by West Wetsuits wrapped up at Manasquan Inlet, NJ, on March 1st, mere days before our editorial deadline. Hosted by Christian Surfers New Jersey, this winter bout brought surfers from up and down the coast to do battle at the ‘Squan. You can find more info at www.csmanasquan.com.

•Ezera Surfboards East Coast Rep Donnie Jones hit us up with news of Ezera’s upcoming Mid-Atlantic Surf Series, consisting of events in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina. Stay tuned to the pages of Eastern Surf for future updates.

•The New Jersey surf community lost a great friend on December 29th when Robert “Duke” Mead, Jr. passed on. Friends and family honored Duke on January 5th with a paddle-out at Ventnor Pier, and the Helene Fuld School of Nursing set up a scholarship in Mead’s honor. You can send checks to the HFSN Annual Giving Campaign, P.O. Box 1669, College Drive, Bldg. #26, Blackwood, NJ, 08012.

•We mistakenly forgot to give Keith Ketchum credit for his photo of LaNier Shepard’s wedding, which we ran in last issue’s Mid-Atlantic Blahs. Our fault, Keith. We won’t let it happen again.

•Stay tuned to www.wblivesurf.com for updates on the City of Wrightsville Beach’s nefarious plans to change (for the worse) the ordinance governing surfing on red flag days, which signify riptides, strong currents, and choppy or windy conditions. See Page 23 for more details.

•Ergophobia recently added South Jersey rippers Matt Keenan and Luke Ditella to the team, along with Florida boy Wesley DeSouza and Puerto Rican charger Josie Graves. Visit www.ergophobia.com for more on the growing company.

•Outer Banks crossboarder/ Hooked Surfboards shaper Mike Rowe told us that Duck Village Outfitters and 158 Surf And Skate set dates for their Backyard Bowl Series, to be held on February 9th, March 8th, April 12th, and May 10th at various locations around the Outer Banks. If you’re interested in competing, check out www.158surfandskate.com or www.duckvillageoutfitters.net for more details.

•17th Street Surf Shop teamriders Brett Barley and Philip Goold logged some serious time on the North Shore this winter, with word trickling back home about the boys charging Second and even Third Reef Pipeline. Check this issue’s Out The Back page (Page 140), as well as www.surfkdh.com for evidence.

•The Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation raised $12,000 at the 2008 Summertime Blues Fundraiser/Silent Auction on February 23rd at the Watermark Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, NC. The BP Foundation celebrated the upcoming release of the first full-color surf-themed license plate in the United States. Head over to www.buddy.pelletier.com to find out how you can contribute.

•Raven Lundy hit us up with information on the future VBX Park, poised to bring several different extreme sports together under one roof in Virginia Beach, VA. Check out the video teaser at www.vbxpark.com.

•In other Old Dominion news, Virginia Tech students recently completed a project testing the materials of three different surfboard constructions. Engineering Science and Mathematics Professor Jack Lesko tested the boards during a summer-long East Coast road trip, and of course, each board possessed divergent qualities. In proper student-and-surfer-for-life language, the students all agreed, “(We) may have to ride a few more waves before we are completely finished with this project.”

•Congrats to DJ and Kate Struntz on the December 13th, 2007 birth of their 5 lb. 13 oz. baby boy Jonah Jack.

•Our thoughts and prayers go to UNCW student and Thrust Clothing sales rep Mike Breitfeller, who is recovering slowly after being hit by a Wilmington taxi back in January. Show your support by dropping a line to mike@thrustclothing.com.

•Surfrider Ocean City, MD, held their annual cold-weather beach cleanup on February 2nd, with a monthly meeting and warm lunch following.

•The inaugural Surf Artisan Exhibit is scheduled for April 13th at the Blue Water Grill in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Send a message to Robert Parker at vanceparker@gmail.com for more info.

•Virginia Beach photographer Jake Denton made a beeline for the North Shore back in February. But if you happen to be in VB, you can head over to Java Surf Coffee Shop to see some of Jake’s past work.

•And while we’re talking about photographers, Kill Devil Hills, NC, shutterbug Matt Lusk’s  new website is up at www.mattluskphotography.com. Give it a look. You won’t be disappointed.

•Dawn Gray sent ESM news of her upcoming trip to Nicaragua. Her company, Red Dawn Designs, needs Spanish-written educational books, backpacks, school supplies, acrylic paint, canvas paper, rashguards, wax, sunscreen, ding repair kits, kids’ swimsuits, and stickers. You can call Dawn at 757-450-0799, visit her website at www.reddawndesigns.com, or contact Banks ripper Craig Watson, who’s also heading to Nicaragua around the same time, at 252-202-2225 or cmeripitup@charter.net.

•Speaking of Craig Watson, Outer Banks filmmaker Nic McLean mercilessly reminded everyone on his e-mail list that Craig’s 40th birthday came and went on February 1st. Local wahine Brittany Diggs also sent a mass text to the entire Outer Banks, ensuring a solid turnout for Craig’s Friday night birthday bowling session. Here’s to 40 more, Craig, from all of your friends at Eastern Surf.

•And lastly, ESM Editor Matt Pruett sends a thousand thanks to Wrightsville Beach, NC, ripper Jason Gilleland for loaning out his car so the Shreditor could make all the necessary rounds seeing family and friends during a much-needed, soul-cleansing Pruettnam tour of duty through Coastal North Carolina this January.  –Compiled by Nick McGregor

 

Southeast Blahs

•Matix Clothing rounded out their already-strong East Coast team by adding Puerto Rican charger Brian Toth to the mix. Look for Tothy to slay any and all domestic pro events in ‘08, and make sure to peep his bio at www.matixclothing.com/toth.

•Jamaican label Quashi Surfboards made its debut at January Surf Expo 2008, with company head honchos Patrick “Quashi” Mitchell and Billy “Mystic” Wilmot wowing the crowd with a live reggae set and a solid line of boards. Look for Quashi to open Jamaica’s first state-of-the-art surfboard factory later this year. Send ‘em a line at info@quashi.com.

•Over on the west side, Gulf Coast Surf Sisters will hold their 5th Annual Emeralds From The Sea surf clinic and contest on March 29th in Navarre Beach, FL. Details are at www.gulfcoastsurfsisters.com.

•While we’re on Florida’s other coast, longtime Gulf shaper Juan Rodriguez took home the trophy at the inaugural Surf Expo Florida Shape-Off, sponsored by Paul Eaton and Ice-Nine Foam Works.

•Head North Florida ESA man Mitch Kaufmann dropped ESM a line about the area’s latest competitive prospects: Wayne Satterwhite, Jr. won ‘07 Men’s ESA Easterns and U.S. Championships titles, and will have his ‘08 WQS run financed by Aqua East Surf Shop; Jessie Carnes won the ‘07 Junior Women’s Easterns title and looks good to repeat in ‘08; and Kaufmann predicted the same level of success from up-and-comers David Holloway, Kayla Durden, and Tristan Thompson. Kaufmann even mentioned big things coming from some old guys named Jason Motes and Buddy Evans... Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Mitch.

•South Carolina’s Nolan Davis is gearing up for The Gringo Invasion. Before you picture hundreds of Southerners overrunning Central American beachbreaks, realize that Nolan’s heading south in a bio-diesel bus with hopes of instituting environmentally friendly routes in Costa Rica and Panama. Log on to www.gringoinvasion.com to scope the intricacies of this two-month trip.

•Down South Florida way, Surfrider SFL Chapter held a well-publicized protest on February 2nd over the Village of Bal Harbour’s deal with developer WCI to eliminate public parking and beach access at the Haulover Bridge. Apparently, the protest was the largest Surfrider gathering in Florida history, so visit www.surfrider.org for details on the big day.

•In other Surfrider news, Suncoast Chapter has plans for an upcoming paddle-out to protest the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ request for a new stadium, which would require over half an acre of dredge-and-fill.

•Also, Surfrider Suncoast held an inter-surf shop holiday modeling show in December at Buoys on St. Pete Beach. Catalina Anderson won “Hottest Female Model” for Suncoast Surf Shop, and Surf Shack won “Best Overall Surf Shop” for their models.

•We blew it! In last issue (Vol.17, #126), we erroneously labeled a killer two-page spread of New Smyrna Beach, FL, ripper Nils Schweizer, misspelling photographer Joel Dalmas’ name. Our bad, Joel.

•Speaking of NSB, young charger Devon Tresher made the quarterfinals of the Billabong Monster Energy Pipeline Pro back in January. Devon was one of only three non-Hawaiians to make the quarters, and the only East Coaster to advance past the Round of 64. Tresher also showed up in some epic shots from photog Spencer Suitt, who captured Devon, Jeremy Johnston, Nils Schweizer, and Eric Geiselman charging Second Reef Pipeline.

•Wrapping up the NSB deets, John and Angela Hart are steadily working towards construction on Sunny Days Private Camp, a skate/ BMX/ surf outreach program to keep kids off the streets and having fun. E-mail John at jsunnydays2127@gmail.com to find out how you can contribute.

•Puerto Rican cool runner Dylan Graves participated in the innovative Quiksilver Revolution 2.0 on January 26th in Malaysia. Featuring surfers, skaters, and cutting-edge bands performing at the mega-attraction Sunway Lagoon, the Revolution aimed to bring the boardriding lifestyle to the farthest corners of the world. Check out www.quiksilver.com/revolution2 for more.

•While we’re in Cocoa Beach, Globe and Quiet Flight teamed up to launch the Space Coast Grom Trifecta in Brevard County, which kicked off with Tayler Brothers winning the 16th Street Surfbout on February 23rd and the Showdown At The Pier on March 2nd at Cocoa Beach Pier. The Sea Gull Park Challenge will follow on April 19th at Patrick Air Force Base. Call Quiet Flight Cocoa Beach at 321-783-1530 for more information.

•The Billabong Freewave Challenge ended on December 31st, but the real fun began once winners started trickling in. The Challenge called for stellar freesurfing video action from the North Shore season, and on-fire Gulf Coaster Sterling Spencer snagged 4th-place (and $1212.12) in “Best Performance Ride” for a backside 360 air at Rocky Point. Check out all the winners and nominees at www.freewavechallenge.com.

•Speaking of video action, peep St. Augustine, FL, filmmaker Dustin Miller’s new 2008 demo reel at www.fleshprofitsnothing.com.

•Texas homie Kris Hopkins returned from a December trip to Hawaii stoked to have logged so much water time. Good thing photographer G Scott was there to document the evidence.

•Cocoa Beach, FL, underground fixture and former ESA prodigy Cam Anderson resurfaced to score the Florida rep job for Gravis.

•ESM Senior Photographer and main Puerto Rican man Steve Fitzpatrick has a portfolio in the latest The Surfer’s Path (Issue 64 January/ February 2008).

•Check out Brevard County band Black Eyed Soul at www.blackeyedsoul.com. This rockin’ quintet won Brevard Live’s 2007 Entertainer Of The Year award.

•Adrenalina held the grand opening of their new Miami store on February 16th, complete with the world’s second in-store FlowRider. Give ‘em a look at www.adrenalinastore.com.

•Up ‘Bama way, the ESA-Alabama District had their Fall Season Awards Ceremony on January 19th at Jalapenos in Gulf Shores, AL. Head over to www.chuckbarnes.com for photos of the event.

•Bahamas-born Central Florida loc’dog Blake Sands returned from a two-week January Cape Surf team trip to Puerto Rico with some solid shots in hand. Sands also recently picked up sponsorship from Hyperflex and Stay Covered.

•ESM Photo Editor Jimmy Wilson wanted to send a personal thanks to Jacksonville, FL, natives Tony Longobucco and Wayne Senteno at The Surf Sanctuary in Nicaragua. Thanks to their hospitality, Jimmy was able to get his football fix so he could sleep for the rest of his surf trip. If you want to score Nica, visit www.thesurfsanctuary.com and prepare to get barreled.

•Surfboard connoisseurs and consumers have a new outlet for their passion: Global Wave Ventures announced the inaugural Boards & Waves Expo, to be held July 12th-13th in Daytona Beach, FL, which will host shaping demonstrations, surfboard painting by South Carolina native Drew Brophy, and a “Young Guns Of Foam” showcase spotlighting up-and-coming East Coast shapers. For more, contact Dave Seehafer at 949-466-4110 or info@boardsandwaves.com.

•Before we leave Daytona, Frank Mottola of Pure Island Surfboards welcomed 13-year-old Katie Radcliffe to the team. Visit www.pureisland.com for more.

•And Daytona Beach surf shop Maui Nix sent congratulations to teamrider Jesse Heilman for signing with Alpinestars.

•The Treasure Chest Pro-Am is almost here! Slated for a waiting period of March 29th-April 6th in Stuart, FL, you can stay up to date by calling the contest hotline at 772-283-9002. Entry forms are posted at www.surfcentralsurfshop.com.

•In ex-pat news, Florida native-turned-Hawaii resident and ESM Senior Photographer Pete “Flipper” Hodgson has a new website up at www.cafepress.com/hawaiiansurfing. Log on to get your favorite photo on anything from clothing to mouse pads to beer mugs.

•Chris Heffner of Billabong dropped us a line to let the world know Sebastian Inlet Surf Camp is on the hunt for motivated, hardworking surfers looking for fun and challenging summer work. E-mail mail@sisurfcamp.com with “I’m your guy/gal” in the subject heading.

•EPIC Surf Ministries held a paddle-out for Jax Beach, FL, legend Jed Davis on December 23rd. ESM sends condolences to all of Jed’s family and friends.

•The newly reenergized Cocoa Beach Surf Museum held a potluck get-together on March 1st at Tables, followed the next day by the first in a series of lectures at Cocoa Beach Public Library. Check out local author and surfer Jim MacLaren discussing the “Physics Of Noseriding” on April 5th from 2:00-4:00 pm. And CBSM will cosponsor the Florida State Paddleboard Championship on March 22nd at Shepard Park. Log on to www.cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org for more information.

•Former Florida Hurley rep Jamie Tworkowski gave ESM the latest news about his company, To Write Love On Her Arms. Dedicated to helping young people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide, TWLOHA raised $100,000 for treatment and recovery and participated in two nationwide tours in 2007. Jamie’s aiming to take his nonprofit global in 2008, so check out www.twloha.com to find out how you can help.

•Lance-O from Kulcha Shok Muzik announced the company will hold a photo contest for their next ESM ad campaign. Submit the best shot with a Kulcha Shok sticker visible, and you can make the mag! Peep www.kulchashok.com for details.

•If you’re looking for a good surf school this summer, hit up William Kimball of Blue Water School Of Surfing in Juno Beach, FL. Browse over to www.bluewatersurfing.com for more.

•Wrapping up this issue’s blahs, a big hand goes out to Marcus and Sarah Horschel of Indialantic, FL, on the birth of their baby girl Avaya back in December. –Compiled by Nick McGregor