Before the inaugural Atlantic Surfing Federation Championships visited Sebastian Inlet earlier this month, a proper regional event hadn’t been held at this iconic East Coast surf spot in nearly a year. Which means ESM’s tag team of photographers — co-owners Tom Dugan and Dick “Mez” Meseroll and Photo Editor Nate Adams — were frothing over the collection of talent on hand from October 12th-14th.

Speaking of froth, that weekend’s chunky windswell serves as a great preview of what the East Coast will probably be dealing with next week, Tropical Storm Sandy meanders her way north. Some forecasts show Sandy taking an ideal north/northeast turn into the Atlantic, while others show her hewing closer to the Right Coast. What will that mean? Big, powerful waves; strong, gusty winds; and challenging, victory-at-sea conditions — exactly what the groms and grown-ups battled at Sebastian Inlet two weeks ago.

So enjoy this collection of freesurf shots from the ASF Championships — and get your guns waxed for Sandy next week.