Press Release:
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — North America’s oldest surfing contest and the second oldest continuously-run surfing contest in the world holds court here again next week as Vans and Monster Energy present the 48th annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC), August 25-29, 2010.
Hundreds of amateur and professional surfers will compete for their families and fans, important exposure from their respective circuits, professional prize money or a coveted spot in ECSC amateur surfing history.
The Men’s Pro division purse is $10,000, while the Women’s and Longboard pro purses are $2,500 each and the Junior Pro contest is $5,000. The Amateur division now consists of 30 sub-divisions, including Men’s, Boy’s, Masters, Bodyboarding, Women’s and 10 Longboard categories. Aaron Cormican – winner of four of the last 5 ECSC pros – is slated to continue his rivalry with aerial master Asher Nolan, who won the crown the year before last.
Spectators can also expect to see international surfing sensations David Villarroel (Venezuela) and Hector Ordonez (Ecuador) competing throughout the weekend. Also scheduled to compete will be Lucas Silveira, the 14-year old Brazilian surfing phenom, and Icah Wilmot, a top surfer from Jamaica and scion of the famous Billy Wilmot. The Bud Light Pro Surf team will perform exhibition sessions on Saturday, Aug. 28.
Another first for this year’s ECSC. Be sure to check out the “Vans Presents the Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational,” Saturday, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the surfing area at 2nd Street. No open registration (so don’t even think about trying to enter). Sorry, this is invitation ONLY— 16 guys—among the best in the world. A highly specialized event involving specific longboards (12 lbs, single fin) that puts emphasis on control and nose riding. We’re talking serious not curious! Get this—an insane $10,000 purse pay-out! $4,000 first place, $3,000 second; $2,000 for third and $1,000 fourth.
The Coastal Edge ECSC kicks off at 7 AM on Wednesday, August 25 as both amateur and professional surfing divisions will be contested throughout the five days until approximately 6 p.m., depending on conditions. The entertainment portion of the beach sports festival hits full stride on Thursday afternoon with the start of live bands playing on two beach stages.
Full schedule and additional information available at: www.surfecsc.com
