Reef/ DNA Comp Gets All Scientific In Satellite Beach By Danimal
TURF: DNA Energy Drink/ Reef Surf Contest
& Airshow; Pelican Beach Park, Satellite Beach, FL; March 7th, 2010
ENERGY: With flat spells lasting for weeks on
Florida’s East Coast, the
original “Christmas Wreef” theme of this DNA Energy Drink/ Reef
Surf Contest & Airshow became moot after the umpteenth delay. Somehow,
nearly three months after the waiting period initially began, clean chest- to
head-high surf genetically connected with the contest's DNA.
FIRST TIME AT FIGHT CLUB: A first time for all involved — and again, even though DNA and Reef
tried to string this contest along for months, lining it up the same weekend as
a Surfing America Prime Series event at Sebastian Inlet led to more
competitors, heightened interest, and a first time everyone will remember.
SLIDE: With top surfing genes ranging from
local Brevard County pros like Blake Jones to hot Puerto Rican groms like
Hector Santa Maria, the stage was set for an action-packed show. Four different
divisions — Menehune, Boys,
Girls, and Junior Men’s — let the kids get loose for a chance at
winning Reef, Oakley, DNA, and Vestal gear, all wrapped meticulously before
Christmas even though the presents weren’t awarded until March. Melbourne Beach menehune
Luke Marks, Jupiter grom Giorgio Gomez, Gulf Coast girl Michelle Kienlen, and
PR’s Santa Maria emerged victorious,
respectively.
After that, a
winner-takes-all Airshow got underway with 10 competitors chipping in $20 each.
DNA added another $100 to sweeten the pot, so let’s break down the nucleus of the event: $300 Airshow
+ a handful of East Coast aerialists + good surf = red-hot action with these
guys going for broke. Not a lot of ‘em stuck big airs, but plenty of ‘em tried.
THE PAIN: Seeing Blake Jones further pad his
pockets with the $300 Airshow win... ah, he did kill it, though.
THE MAN: Jupiter-via-Anna Maria Island grom
Giorgio Gomez — with the surf at
times looking double overhead on this kid, he really stepped it up to the
plate, taking 1st-place in Boys.
YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB: “Did you go out to The Cove last night?
I heard it was crazy…" –DNA Energy Drink/ Reef Airshow winner
Blake Jones, psyching out fellow competitor Adam Wickwire before their heat
FINAL RESULTS OF THE DNA ENERGY DRINK/ REEF SURF CONTEST & AIRSHOW
MENEHUNE 1. Luke Marks
2. Tommy Coleman
3. Jaric Fink
4. Chauncey Robinson
5. Noah Dovin
6. Sebastian Baker
BOYS 1. Giorgio Gomez
2. Parker Greenwood
3. Fisher Grant
4. Ben Doughty
5. Matt Kaltenbach
6. Wiley Robinson
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
