East Coast Wahines

East Coast Wahines Announce Savings Bonds Recipients

October 7, 2008 Wrightsville Beach Beach, NC— The East Coast Wahines have awarded four $500 savings bonds. Competitors filled out questionnaires at the 12th Annual East Coast Wahine Championships, held in August in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The four winners are currently in elementary, middle, or high school, and are encouraged to use the bonds toward a college education. The bonds were made possible by a contribution from the Julie Ann Foundation- an Alzheimer’s Association improving quality of care for Dementia and Alzheimer patients in eastern North Carolina. The recipients are:

Greta Hesmer, age 8, attending second grade at Eaton Elementary School in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was Greta’s second year competing in the ECWC and she was the youngest entrant in the Grommette Shortboard division. She has been surfing since she was five years old and also enjoys skateboarding and fishing. She once caught four baby sharks, which she returned to the ocean.

Rachel Callaghan, age 13, attending 8th grade at Roland-Grise Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was Rachel’s second year competing in the ECWC. Rachel plays violin and piano and says competing in gymnastics has helped her surfing. Rachel is working on a project with her cousin called A.N.G.E.L. (A New Generation Expanding Love) that will deliver stuffed animals and books to an orphanage in the Philippines.

Cara Salerno, age 17, attending 11th grade at North Brunswick Township High School in North Brunswick, New Jersey. This was Cara’s first ECWC event and her first trip to North Carolina.  She placed 4th in Girls Bodyboard. Cara has been bodyboarding since she was eight years old and her current favorite move is the barrel roll. Cara, an aspiring photographer, is a member of the National Honors Art Society, and enjoys capturing the action of skateboarding on film.

Hilary Watters, age 17, attending 11th grade at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  This was Hilary’s first ECWC event and she placed 3rd in Jr. Women Longboard and 4th in Girls Shortboard. Hilary comes from a surfing family. She’s been competing since age 10 and recently took 1st place in Women’s Longboard at the ESA Regionals. She taught surf lessons over the summer, but also has a passion for the snow. She’s been touring colleges near mountains and hopes her good grades and love for math and science will get her into a good college.

The ECWC was the first female amateur surfing contest on the east coast. It began in 1997 and encourages girls of all ages to experience the camaraderie of competition. The ECWC’s presenting sponsor is Billabong Girls. Billabong sponsors the world’s best female surfers, snowboarders and skateboarders, and is committed to supporting the progression of women’s surfing, and aspiring female surfers.

Roxy ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships (WWLC)
Roxy ASP Grade-2 Women’s Pro Junior
Cote des Basques – Biarritz – France
11-16 July, 2008

Monahan Crowned ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion in Biarritz, France

BIARRITZ, France (Wednesday, July 16, 2008) – Joy Monahan (Oahu,HAW), 22, became the 2008 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Women’s World Longboard Champion today after winning the Roxy Jam event at La Cote des Basques in Biarritz. Monahan, who defeated runner-up Chelsea Williams (Gold Coast, AUS) in an exciting 30-minute final, posted a solid 14.10 point heat tally (out of a possible 20) to secure her first world crown in front of a cheering crowd.

Monahan, who placed 9th in 2006 and 5th in 2007, stepped up this week to seize the prestigious Roxy ASP Women’s World Championships and become the first Hawaiian female World Longboard Champion.

“I am super stoked, I cannot believe I won the championship”, Monahan said. “Chelsea is one of the best surfers in the world and it was one of the most difficult heats to win. I got good waves and was very focused for the win.”

Monahan, who defeated reigning ASP Women’s World Longboard Champion Jennifer Smith (USA) in Semifinal No. 1, was unstoppable in the last heat of the event putting together strong combinations of classical turns and modern style re-entries in the two foot (0.5 meter) contestable conditions.

“I was very surprised to defeat Jennifer (Smith) in the semi-finals”, Monahan said. “I had a great week in Biarritz and it ends up perfectly. It is like a dream coming true and it is great to bring this world title home. So stoked.” Continue reading ‘Women’s World Longboard Champion Crowned in France’

Will the price of gas keep you from entering the wahine? Something to think about…..this article is from the Associated Press and appeared on various news media websites.

Costly Gas Crimps Surfers’ Style, Roils Industry

Tuesday , July 08, 2008
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. —

For years, Chris Mauro took a 10-mile detour on his way to work each morning to check out the swells at his favorite surf break and plot the best location for his after work wave-riding.

But with gas now approaching $5 a gallon, Mauro recently cut out his daily ritual in favor of the savings.

He isn’t alone. The surging cost of oil has been a dose of reality for many surfers who have long thought of their sport, with all its sun-kissed lore, as a counterculture niche shielded from the pressures of mainstream America.

The industry depends on petroleum-based products to build and ship its boards. And surfers in search of the biggest waves have to dig deeper into the pockets to fill their gas tanks or book flights to the best breaks around the world, including far-flung places like South Africa and Tahiti.

“We all think about oil in our cars, but very few of us really consider the fact that every little piece of manmade equipment around you is oil-based, and surfing’s no different,” said Mauro, who’s seen the price of some surfboards double to $750 or higher.

“The price of a surfboard, it used to be something where it was pretty digestible. Now, it’s like, whoa, OK, I’ve got to put some serious thought into this.” Continue reading ‘Gas Prices Keeping Surfers out of the Water’