7th Annual Chip Miller Surf Fest Gets Stormed By Jon Coen
TURF: 7th
Annual Chip Miller Surf Fest Presented By Fox And Ocean Minded; 7th Street,
Ocean City, NJ; July 29th, 2010.
ENERGY: Following a week where the surf was as big on Ocean City’s beaches as it was on
Great Egg Harbor Bay, one- to two-foot waves were a blessing. A front coming
through also lingered and kept the wind light southeast throughout most of the
day.
FIRST TIME AT FIGHT CLUB: Big red blobs. And not the kind you see on the
Surfline swell charts, either — the kind that show up on the radar right
before the power goes out.
Every year, the Chip Miller
Surf Fest is basically a sun-shining, skin-frying good time. The only weather
issue has been the heat. This year, that run ended, as a giant wall of black
atmosphere rolled in from the west — thunder, lightning, downdrafts, the
whole bit. Soon after the OCBP pulled everyone from the surf, the event was
called.
SLIDE: There
were only two divisions that finished before Armageddon By The Sea. Florida’s
Josh Wilson continues to drive New Jersey surfers crazy since moving up from the
Sunshine State two years ago, as he won the Masters Division over such notables
as Chad Gallagher, Andrew Funk, and Kevin “Kevmo” Morris.
The only addition this year
was the Grandmasters, for surfers 45 and over. This was primarily on the
request of 60-year-old Jeff Taylor, a Ventnor, NJ, native who now lives in
Houston, TX. Taylor coincided his summer trip back to the Jersey Shore with the
Chip when Event Director Nick Bricker agreed to add a division for the
geriatrics. But Taylor and his childhood buddy Bob Sergeant still had to surf
against the likes of Tom Forkin and Mark Neustadter, although Joe Gillen actually won the Grandmasters. Why is
Joe Gillen in the Grandmasters? You wouldn’t want to face him when he’s 80.
Gillen’s from Virginia Beach, which is like Ocean City times ten. Dude would
paddle circles around Chris Kelly. He takes his heats very seriously.
And Floridians? Texans?
Virginians? The Chip Miller is turning into a damn college football game.
THE PAIN: ESM Senior Photographer Rich McMullin’s tent nearly took out three
spectators and a concession stand when the storm rolled in. Fortunately, no one
was injured and Rich was able to continue taking pictures of butts.
THE MAN: Lance
Miller, who splits his time between Ocean City and Carlysle, PA, and back in
the day was one of the best Jersey surfers around, belonging to both ESA
Allstar and NSSA Nationals Teams. Chip and Lance were as much best friends as
they were father and son. Since 2004, Lance has worked tirelessly to make
people aware of amyloidosis, the rare disease that took his father. It’s treatable,
but is often misdiagnosed. This year, Sue Sampson, who lost her husband Paul to
amyloidosis in October, drove out from Newtown, PA, with her two friends and
three daughters to support the contest. They were completely blown away by the
event, the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, and the family. By the end of the
contest and fundraiser afterparty, Lance and friend Nick Bricker had made over
$20,000 for research and awareness.
YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB: “Nah man. It’s staked down. It’ll be fine.” –Famous
last words from ESM Senior
Photographer Rich McMullin, before his tent ejected and bowled through the
beach crowd
“In the name of safety, the
remainder of the Chip Miller Surf Fest will be cancelled.” –Lance
Miller, delivering the saddest news to competitors in seven years of running
the Chip
“It’s not really about the
competition… unless you’re Tom Forkin.” –Forkin’s ball-busting Grandmasters
buddy Bob Sergeant.
FINAL RESULTS OF THE 7th ANNUAL CHIP MILLER SURF FEST
PRESENTED BY FOX AND OCEAN MINDED:
MASTERS 1. Josh Wilson 2. Kevin Morris 3. Andrew Funk 4. Chad Gallagher
GRANDMASTERS 1. Joe Gillen 2. Tom Forkin 3. Bob Sergeant 4. Jeff Taylor 5. Mark Neustadter
Due to severe weather, the seven remaining divisions went
unfinished
For more info on the Chip Miller Surf
Fest and amyloidosis research and awareness, visit www.chipmiller.org.
South Carolina’s Cam Richards Steals 12th Annual
Tommy Tant Memorial Classic Men’s Pro Title From Florida Vets; Cody Thompson, Amy Nicholl,
Noah Schweizer, And Dan Worley Also Win Big
VQS
HITS THE JACKPOT AT CASINO PIER Jellyfish Surf Series Winners Include Local Boys
Hammer, Schmidt, Vanaman, And Siganos, Along With Florida Girl Emily Ruppert
DUBIOUS RECORD The WRV
Outer Banks Pro Presented By Hurley Offers Locals Genuine Perspective & More
Money Per Square Foot Of Wave Than Any Surf Contest In History
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
