2nd Annual Single Fin Showdown Gets Groovy On Florida’s Treasure Coast By Justin Beard; Photos by Mark Hill
TURF: John Pierson’s Toyota Of Stuart 2010 Single Fin
Showdown To Benefit United Way Of Martin County Presented By Ohana Surf Shop;
Stuart Beach, Stuart, FL; March 20, 2010
ENERGY: Putting together a one-day surf contest in Florida is
definitely a crapshoot, but Single Fin Showdown organizers Jordan and
Tara Schwartz, Jeremy Carr, and myself hit pay dirt on the first official day
of spring. A lingering northeast swell provided glassy three- to four-foot
waves during the morning’s preliminary rounds, and combined with the low tide
even produced a few mini-tuberides. As the tide crept in, so did the light
onshore winds, making for semi-choppy final rounds in the afternoon. But the
swell continued to hold strong throughout the event’s duration. It was also a
rare Florida day, neither hot nor humid, but rather a pleasant 75 degrees with
clear blue skies and not a drop of rain.
FIRST TIME
AT FIGHT CLUB: 16-year-old Lantana longboard prodigy Patrick Nichols
won Open Longboard, proving that you didn't have to grow up in the ‘60s
to know how to ride a vintage log with style. Nichols battled through a stacked
field of older competitors, including East Coast legend and owner/shaper of Impact
Surfboards, Charles Williams, and Indialantic standout Hans Wagner.
SLIDE: Now in its second year, the Stuart Single Fin
Showdown went from an 80-man field of competitors in 2009 to more than 100
surfers in 2010 frothing at the chance to shred on a randomly drawn single-fin
handshaped more than 40 years ago. Arguably one of the largest one-day surf
contests to ever take place in Martin County, more than 3000 spectators came
out to watch the action and enjoy live music from local harmonica
extraordinaire and event sponsor John Pierson, Fayuca, Bootleg, No Ka Oi, Fresh
Catch, Pub Reckers, and Last Laugh.
Shea Lopez, who flew in from the Bahamas the morning of
the event and was held up at U.S. Customs for hours (allegedly for being so
cool that officials thought he was up to no good), showed up at the end of the
day to greet fans, pose for 100 photos, and sign autographs. Fellow East Coast
legend Bryan Hewitson was also able to hang around from dawn till dusk,
lending his expertise as a guest judge and chatting up fans.
At the end of the day, nearly $3000 was raised for
United Way of Martin County to help meet the community's health and human
service needs. Who says surfers only care about waves?
THE PAIN: At the peak of the excitement, everyone on the beach
was asked to remain silent for a moment to pay respects to local waterman Steve
Schafer, who tragically lost his life during a fatal shark attack on February 3rd
at Stuart Beach.
THE MAN: Local luminary Teague Taylor suffered a serious
injury during his first Senior Men’s heat, and was seen popping his knee back
into place shortly thereafter. Taylor iced it down, sucked up the pain, and
went on to kick ass and take names on one leg, finishing 2nd in Senior Men’s
but failing to advance through the Open Longboard quarterfinals.
YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB: “Look at these waves! You never get waves like this
in South Florida for a surf contest.”–Guest judge and Central Florida power
broker Bryan
Hewitson, stoked on the waves for preliminary Single Fin Showdown rounds
“I lost to a guy with a mustache down to this
chin!” –ERGO sales manager Chris Sears, on taking 2nd-place in
the Mustache March mustache contest
“I
don’t need a skateboard — take it back, sell it, and give the money to
United Way of Martin County.” –Philanthropist/local heavy Charles
Williams, after winning an Arbor skateboard for placing 2nd in Open Longboard
FINAL RESULTS OF THE JOHN PIERSON’S TOYOTA OF STUART
2010 SINGLE FIN SHOWDOWN TO BENEFIT UNITED WAY OF
MARTIN COUNTY PRESENTED BY
OHANA SURF SHOP:
GROMS
1. Chris O’Donnell
2. Fisher Grant
3. Tommy Coleman
LADIES
1. Jasset Umbel
2. Kim Robertson
3. Kaylene Harris
MENS
1. Chase Roberts
2. Travis Beckmann
3. JC Dillon
SENIOR MENS
1. Alex Adeyelote
2. Teague Taylor
3. Joe Ryan
OPEN
LONGBOARD
1. Patrick Nichols
2. Charles Williams
3. Hans Wagner
Sweetwater Leaves It Up To The Grom At Oakley Surf Shop Challenge Mid-Atlantic Regional Qualifier; “Uncle” Andrew Gesler Drives Heritage Win Home In Northeast
By Matt Pruett and Nick McGregor;
Photos by Matt Lusk
