The 10th Annual Wounded Warrior Project Hit The Beach event went down on August 25th, 2017, in Hampton Beach, NH. The Hampton American Legion Post 35, Cinnamon Rainbows, Pioneers, Summer Sessions, Zapstix, ESA-NNE District, Fresh Valley Fruit, and numerous volunteers offer wounded warriors from Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other military stations around the world a chance to surf and enjoy a little saltwater therapy. As New Hampshire filmmaker Ralph Fatello said, “It’s been incredible. About five years ago, we opened it up to the veterans’ spouses and children — because let’s face it, the families have suffered just as much as the vets themselves. We have turned this day into a family beach surf day because surfing is all about having fun.” Savor the power of Brian Nevins’ photographs and Ralph Fatello’s edit from the day featuring his band Semper Fi’s 1986 song “Red, White, and Blue,” which goes well with the video.
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
Photo: Brian Nevins
HIT THE BEACH X 8-25-17 from Ralph’s Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
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![The Eastern Surfing Association’s (ESA) All-Star Team just returned from the North Shore of Oahu surfing world-class waves, experiencing the Hawaiian culture and training with professional surfer Tamayo Perry. This elite group of young surfers make up some of the up-and-coming champions within the ESA, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2017.
[caption id="attachment_8264" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="wp-image-8264 size-large" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-2-Ted-Eberhart-Intro-to-NS-1024x683.jpg" alt="esa all-star team" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Virginia Beach’s Ted Eberhart</em>[/caption]
“It’s great to see the kids out of their comfort zone and watch them work together to accomplish the goal of becoming better athletes,” said mentor Jeanine Montgomery. “Whether surfing the powerful waves on the North Shore or learning to live in a house as a team and work together to get their tasks completed, everyone learns something about themselves while taking away great life lessons beyond paddling out.”
[caption id="attachment_8265" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8265" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-3-Tommy-Tillett-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>First-year All-Star Tommy Tillett from the Outer Banks</em>[/caption]
All-Star members and mentors had to deal with brown water advisories, big waves and torrential rains throughout their time in Hawaii. This allowed team members to not only surf the well-known surf breaks such as Sunset, Pipeline and Haleiwa, but also experience various breaks all over the island. “This was one of the best weeks of my life,” said new team member Trevor Francis. “It was a blast to surf amazing waves with everyone on the team and then hang out with everyone at the house.”
[caption id="attachment_8266" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8266" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-4-Kainalu-Nichols-1024x731.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="685" /> <em>New Hampshire’s All-Star mentor Kainalu Nichols, who was originally born in Hawaii</em>[/caption]
2017 was Sophie Falzone’s second All-Star trip to Hawaii. “This trip to Hawaii was the best! I made so many new memories and bonded with the entire All-Star team. Surfing everyday with the team was really fun and helped me become a better surfer.”
[caption id="attachment_8271" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8271" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-9-Sophie-Falzone-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Sophie Falzone from North Florida</em>[/caption]
The team trained with Tamayo Perry of Oahu Surfing Experience for a third year. “The ESA All-Star team members were eager to learn and soak up anything pertaining to surfing that I was willing and able to divulge. This team of groms was such a pleasure to work with as they were able to apply the knowledge I provided instantly and first-hand in some ‘real kine – Hawaiian heavy water’.”
“It was great to train with legend big wave surfer Tamayo Perry again,” Logan Kamen said. “I have mad respect for him as he’s always welcoming and shares his knowledge with us.” Team mentor Kainalu Nichols adds, “Working with Tamayo is the best, he explains everything so well and I am grateful for him sharing his wealth of knowledge.”
[caption id="attachment_8267" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8267" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-5-Cory-Jackson-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>South Carolina’s Cory Jackson</em>[/caption]
“The biggest benefit of the trip for the kids was that it reinforced their camaraderie and mutual respect for each other,” said David Montgomery, an All-Star adult mentor. “Having other East Coasters to share in the challenge of surfing the North shore somehow made it much less daunting.”
[caption id="attachment_8268" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8268" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-6-Ted-Eberhart--1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Virginia Beach’s Ted Eberhart </em>[/caption]
New team member Abigail Remke sums up the trip perfectly, “My first Hawaii trip as an ESA All-Star was such an amazing experience! Being able to surf all these amazing spots was just the beginning, I’ve made so many great friends that I know will last a lifetime!”
[caption id="attachment_8272" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8272" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-10-Abigail-Remke-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Florida Gulf Coaster Abigail Remke</em>[/caption]
Special thanks to the following people who made this trip a success.
<ul>
<li>Jeanine Montgomery</li>
<li>Lenny Nichols</li>
<li>Pam Hill</li>
<li>David Montgomery</li>
<li>Jordan Montgomery Photo</li>
<li>Tamayo & Emilia Perry @oahusurfingexperience</li>
<li>Kainalu Nichols</li>
<li>Velzyland Hale</li>
<li>Rip Curl</li>
</ul>
[caption id="attachment_8282" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8282" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/JM2_4478-1024x684.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="641" /> <em>The 2017 ESA All-Star Team and mentors</em>[/caption]
The ESA All-Star Team would like dedicate this trip to ESA photographer Mickey McCarthy as he was greatly missed by those who attended, and many others in the surfing community on the North Shore.
[caption id="attachment_8277" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8277" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-15-Mickey-1024x731.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="685" /> <em>Rest in peace Mickey McCarthy, who traveled to Hawaii with the ESA All-Star Team for several years prior to his unexpected passing last December</em>[/caption]
The All-Star team members have also qualified and will be competing at their respective ESA regional events that will be held along the east coast in April and May with live webcasts. Please visit <a href="http://www.surfesa.org">www.surfesa.org</a> for more information, and <a href="http://www.surfesa.org/allstars">www.surfesa.org/allstars</a> for the complete 2017 All-Star Team roster.
[caption id="attachment_8269" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8269" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-7-Thomas-Sims-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Gulf Coaster Thomas Sims</em>[/caption]
<em>The ESA, which is celebrating its 50<sup>th</sup> year in 2017, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit amateur athletic organization dedicated to the sport of amateur surfing. The organization promotes amateur competition for surfers of all ages and abilities, and is dedicated to the establishment and preservation of free access to a clean shoreline and ocean environment.</em>
[caption id="attachment_8308" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="wp-image-8308 size-large" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-8-Braidyn-Cunningham-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>North Florida’s Braidyn Cunningham</em>[/caption]
<strong>Press Contact: </strong>
Michelle Sommers
Executive Director
Eastern Surfing Association
<a href="mailto:centralhq@surfesa.org">centralhq@surfesa.org</a>
302-988-1953
www.surfesa.org
[caption id="attachment_8274" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8274" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-12-Trevor-Francis-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Southern North Carolina’s Trevor Francis</em>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8273" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8273" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-11-Leah-Thompson-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>Another Southern North Carolina standout, Leah Thompson</em>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8275" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8275" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Slide-13-Logan-Kamen-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /> <em>New Jersey’s Logan Kamen </em>[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8314" align="alignnone" width="960"]<img class="size-large wp-image-8314" src="https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/image2-edited-1024x731.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="685" /> <em>Leah Thompson and Braidyn Cunningham</em>[/caption]
[template id=”411″]](https://www.easternsurf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/image2-edited.jpg)
Virginia Beach’s Ted Eberhart[/caption]
“It’s great to see the kids out of their comfort zone and watch them work together to accomplish the goal of becoming better athletes,” said mentor Jeanine Montgomery. “Whether surfing the powerful waves on the North Shore or learning to live in a house as a team and work together to get their tasks completed, everyone learns something about themselves while taking away great life lessons beyond paddling out.”
[caption id="attachment_8265" align="alignnone" width="960"]
First-year All-Star Tommy Tillett from the Outer Banks[/caption]
All-Star members and mentors had to deal with brown water advisories, big waves and torrential rains throughout their time in Hawaii. This allowed team members to not only surf the well-known surf breaks such as Sunset, Pipeline and Haleiwa, but also experience various breaks all over the island. “This was one of the best weeks of my life,” said new team member Trevor Francis. “It was a blast to surf amazing waves with everyone on the team and then hang out with everyone at the house.”
[caption id="attachment_8266" align="alignnone" width="960"]
New Hampshire’s All-Star mentor Kainalu Nichols, who was originally born in Hawaii[/caption]
2017 was Sophie Falzone’s second All-Star trip to Hawaii. “This trip to Hawaii was the best! I made so many new memories and bonded with the entire All-Star team. Surfing everyday with the team was really fun and helped me become a better surfer.”
[caption id="attachment_8271" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Sophie Falzone from North Florida[/caption]
The team trained with Tamayo Perry of Oahu Surfing Experience for a third year. “The ESA All-Star team members were eager to learn and soak up anything pertaining to surfing that I was willing and able to divulge. This team of groms was such a pleasure to work with as they were able to apply the knowledge I provided instantly and first-hand in some ‘real kine – Hawaiian heavy water’.”
“It was great to train with legend big wave surfer Tamayo Perry again,” Logan Kamen said. “I have mad respect for him as he’s always welcoming and shares his knowledge with us.” Team mentor Kainalu Nichols adds, “Working with Tamayo is the best, he explains everything so well and I am grateful for him sharing his wealth of knowledge.”
[caption id="attachment_8267" align="alignnone" width="960"]
South Carolina’s Cory Jackson[/caption]
“The biggest benefit of the trip for the kids was that it reinforced their camaraderie and mutual respect for each other,” said David Montgomery, an All-Star adult mentor. “Having other East Coasters to share in the challenge of surfing the North shore somehow made it much less daunting.”
[caption id="attachment_8268" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Virginia Beach’s Ted Eberhart [/caption]
New team member Abigail Remke sums up the trip perfectly, “My first Hawaii trip as an ESA All-Star was such an amazing experience! Being able to surf all these amazing spots was just the beginning, I’ve made so many great friends that I know will last a lifetime!”
[caption id="attachment_8272" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Florida Gulf Coaster Abigail Remke[/caption]
Special thanks to the following people who made this trip a success.
The 2017 ESA All-Star Team and mentors[/caption]
The ESA All-Star Team would like dedicate this trip to ESA photographer Mickey McCarthy as he was greatly missed by those who attended, and many others in the surfing community on the North Shore.
[caption id="attachment_8277" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Rest in peace Mickey McCarthy, who traveled to Hawaii with the ESA All-Star Team for several years prior to his unexpected passing last December[/caption]
The All-Star team members have also qualified and will be competing at their respective ESA regional events that will be held along the east coast in April and May with live webcasts. Please visit 
Gulf Coaster Thomas Sims[/caption]
The ESA, which is celebrating its 50th year in 2017, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit amateur athletic organization dedicated to the sport of amateur surfing. The organization promotes amateur competition for surfers of all ages and abilities, and is dedicated to the establishment and preservation of free access to a clean shoreline and ocean environment.
[caption id="attachment_8308" align="alignnone" width="960"]
North Florida’s Braidyn Cunningham[/caption]
Press Contact:
Michelle Sommers
Executive Director
Eastern Surfing Association
Southern North Carolina’s Trevor Francis[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8273" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Another Southern North Carolina standout, Leah Thompson[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8275" align="alignnone" width="960"]
New Jersey’s Logan Kamen [/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8314" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Leah Thompson and Braidyn Cunningham[/caption]
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