Press release:
UnsOund Surf Shop, New York’s premier surf store, is proud to announce that professional surfing is alive and well in the Empire State.
This fall, the 2014 UnsOund Surf Pro NY presented by Volcom will storm the shores of Long Beach, Long Island, offering the same unrivaled display of postmodern shredding that’s made this event an East Coast staple for 17 years now. From September 18-21st, the hallowed beachbreak of Lincoln Blvd. will be the hottest place in the world to be for anyone who froths over solid waves, remarkable surfing and enigmatic characters.
“We are proud to announce Volcom as our title sponsor and support from Spy,” says UnsOund Surf Shop co-owner and professional surf photographer Mike Nelson, who along with longtime partner and resident ripper Dave Juan has fought tooth-and-nail to keep this event alive for nearly two decades. “Volcom’s support for the sport has been phenomenal, and they host some of the biggest events on the planet (i.e. Volcom Pipe Pro and the Totally Crustaceous Tour Global Champs). Together, we’ll bring some of the best surfers in the world to compete in New York during the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The UnsOund Surf Pro has been a major part of the international surf scene for years and has been called ‘one of the best contests to win in the USA.’”
Past winners of this illustrious event in its many incarnations include the following: esteemed Volcom alumni Balaram Stack, Blake Jones and Kyle Garson; current or former WCT competitors Kolohe Andino, Danny Melhado and Timmy Reyes; current WQS scrappers Brian Toth, Keanu Asing and Jeremy Johnston; New Jersey superpowers Randy Townsend and Sam Hammer; Californian pros Dustin Ray (R.I.P.) and Tommy Acosta; Floridian veteran Asher Nolan and his hometown buddy, defending 2013 champion Ryan Briggs.”
“We are extremely excited to bring this level of surfing back to Long Beach,” adds Dave Juan. “We have such an amazing group of professional surfers on the East Coast who can’t wait to compete with international professionals from all over the world. And having Volcom as our title sponsor — who bring their youthful energy into the event — it just couldn’t be a better situation.”
And the timing couldn’t be better for local export-turned-international sensation Balaram Stack, who just signed with Volcom last year. The 21-year-old has been a treasured UnsOund teamrider since he was 9 and would like nothing more than to grab another victory right here at Lincoln Blvd. in front of his friends, family, childhood mentors and his main sponsor. To show his appreciation, Balaram will once again throw up a four-figure cash prize for whoever throws up the biggest punt in the “Balaram Stack Strong Island Big Air.”
“Hell yeah, can’t wait!” Balaram exclaims. “Every year, the UnsOund Surf Pro is one of my favorite contests. Not only is it in my backyard, it’s the most fun week of the year — maybe even better than the U.S. Open of Surfing, which I thought would be impossible. It’s just a good time with great friends — pretty much all I could ask for in a contest.”
In addition, longtime shop and event supporter Spy will lend their distinctly “happy” element to the event in the way of a myriad festivities and attractions including retail tents, activity booths and a surf photography art show — all of which are certain to send this stoked crowd into a frenzy. “Spy is a fun and extremely creative company that adds intense flavor to the UnsOund Surf Pro NY presented by Volcom,” adds Nelson. “These guys really know how to have a good time, with great community activities for everyone to be a part of.”
As for the surf, the groin-gutted beachbreaks of Long Beach are strategically positioned to go off — facing south to welcome any long-range energy that may be stirring up in the tropics this time of year, the historic peak of Hurricane Season. In other words, Long Beach is a wave magnet, a tube lab, and therefore the ideal stage for what could be the most captivating show of high-performance surfing the East Coast has seen since the first, and last, time the ASP World Tour landed here in 2011 (the Quiksilver Pro New York). In fact, given the potential this place has to blow cannonballs of spit and break surfboards like parking ordinances — the 2014 UnsOund Surf Pro NY presented by Volcom could be even more exciting.
“We are thrilled to present the 2014 UnsOund Surf Pro NY,” says Brad Dougherty, Volcom’s VP of Surf. “There is a rich history attached to this prestigious event, which is considered one of the best contests in North America. Volcom is exited to collaborate with UnsOund Surf Shop and we are looking forward to bringing the surf community together in Long Island for a special experience.”
For Surfline’s coverage of the 2013 Unsound Pro, click https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ryan-briggs-wins-unsound-surf-pro_101470/
For more on the UnsOund Surf Pro NY presented by Volcom, visit https://www.unsoundsurf.com/
