The East Coast Surfing Championships get underway today in Virginia Beach. We asked D. Nachnani, the owner of Coastal Edge who is hosting the event, a few questions about the contest and how all the brands are involved.
The ECSC is often described as the U.S. Open of the East Coast. Coastal Edge currently operates eight stores.
Why take the title sponsorship this year?
2010 marks the 48th annual year of the event, and the first year that Coastal Edge has the honor of being the title sponsor in a multi-year contract with presenting sponsors Vans and Monster.
We wanted to make sure that this auspicious contest stayed endemic to our industry. That is why we chose to acquire the title. Vans and Monster presents The Coastal Edge ECSC is not only the oldest North American surfing contest, but the second oldest in the world.
(Above: Stephanie and Dee Nachnani with BRA’s Melissa Clary at Liquid Nation this year.)
What will be different this year?
Our industry will be hosting a multitude of events such as the following:
1. Vans will have a Joel Tudor Long Boarder invitational
2. We will have The Monster stage at the Jetty for exclusively skate and surf endemic sponsors.
3. We will have The Coastal Edge Vendor village that will truly unite the tribes with 43 companies from around world of surf and skate.
4. Billabong will be doing the All Out Air Assault Tow-At exhibition.
5. Fox will bring Freestyle motocross to the shores of the East Coast.
On page 2: More of Dee’s list, plus what the contest says about East Coast surfing, Coastal Edge’s growth plans
6. Quiksilver will do the Super Grom Contest where 140 children from 11 years or younger will have their first experience on a board.
7. Miss Reef World will be in only three locations around the world – Brazil, Hawaii, and Virginia Beach at our event.
8. Volcom will create Volcom Island on the beach.
9. Vans will host the Battle of the Jetty Vert Ramp Challenge.
As you can see, this event will truly celebrate the authenticity of our industry.
What does this contest say about the East Coast?
I believe that the sheer number of attendees only highlights how important and target rich this corridor of the world is to the action sports industry.
I know you are an avid student of business. What did you learn last year that you want to change this year?
I was absolutely blown away at the unrealized potential of this event and this year will mark the first steps of growing this event into one of the biggest events around the globe.
Does Coastal Edge have plans for more stores in 2010/2011? If so, where?
We do have plans to grow our chain in 2011 and are evaluating locations that fit our strict criteria.
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