TM
CLASS OF 2024
INDUCTION SURF EXPO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024 Orange County Convention Center, Orlando
LOADING DOCKS WA3
WA4
JANUARY 10-12, 2024
Test Booth E
ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER WEST CONCOURSE ORLANDO, FL
Food Court
East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Exhibit
SHW OOD
FYEW EAR
763
Neso
762
659
758
759
858
349
Puffin
862
20'
BAJIO Sunglasses
859
547
750
Beach &
649
748
Missi on
647
COVA
746
751
Kanga LowTi Cooler des
961
1060 20' Xtratuf 959
20'
JEDCo
20'
HUK Performanc e Fishing
1059
850
STEP HEN
749
Seawe ed
747
851
Sun Drunk
948 20' Burnside 847
GUY FOX
1051
Island Goat
849
846
20'
SCALES Gear
950
Iron and
848
20'
Guy Harvey
20'
TOADFISH
20'
20'
Marsh Wear
BIMINI BAY OUTFITTER
752
30'
20'
20'
POP Board Co.
1164
20'
Fahlo
947
20'
447
551
548 20'
Hydro Flask
ICEM ULE
449
20'
451
448 20' Thread 347
Abaco Polarized
20'
20'
247
Oars +
20'
TELE TIES
20'
Hari Mari
Spy Optic & Bolle
450
Alway s
20'
351
Storm Blade
350 20' DIFF Eyewear
251
20'
DUNE Sunca
246
Raw Elements
248
Chums, Inc.
HYPERFLEX
453
1065
Bluewater
AFTC O
Wild Tribute
40' 20'
Stanley191 3
252
Local Coast
967
1168
The Shoreline
863
663
20'
1068 20'
864
Avenue 2 20'
969
Skinn y
40'
559
765
MANG GEAR 20'
Stickti Torme te nter
Smith Optics
FINA DDIC
20'
764
1069
Rolii
SUNF Sunsk LOW i
20'
665
Joyco ast
Bogg
664 20'
Turtlebox
867 Rheo s
20'
CoTZ Skinc
20'
666
G&S Surfb
968 20'
1071
1070
Paddl eSma
GCI Outdoor
869
1072
971
20'
Reviv Handy e & Beach
866
Tidal Ball,
20'
Beach Gratef Up ul
970
20'
Sunburn
1073
973
Wada Rugge buggy d
ZepPro
1074
Aluma Emer cart, ald
ORCA
30'
871 870
767
20'
20'
668
565
20'
20'
20'
20'
671
Klean Freak
975
769
Dock & Bay 20'
558
Shwo od
20' The Duck Company
The Heartbeat
562
Optic Nerve
40'
40'
20'
Caribbean Breeze
673
567
20'
463
459
573
20'
359
20'
Oakley
Tormenter Ocean
259
20'
Costa Sunglasses
30'
462 20'
xcelwetsuits .com
20'
363
568
20'
Thras h
362 20'
Zap Skimboards | Wave Zone
469
20'
20'
364
20'
AJW Surfb
Channel Islands
368
Sharp Eye Surfboards
Stay Savag Cover e
R&D Surf, Inc.
Shaping Bay 369
Surfboard Trading Co. Salty Shores Surf Co.
477
370
269
Shoreline
Hellbender
476
Rusty Surfboards
Savag e
1081
20'
Wave Riding
Brusurf
372
Natio nal
271
Fashion Stage
481
20'
Bombora Gear
273
377
Fashion Stage
SUBTOTAL DISTRIBUTION
480
LISS Bomb Living Wave
Formula Fun
277
1001 523 833 431
Firewire and Slater
RYD Brand 20'
20'
Body Glove Jetty Reef Rip Curl
ECS Boards Australia
260
381
BOOTHS
40'
Wrong Algori thm
KurtWerks
281
263
WAVE SKAT
482
20'
262
383
20'
20'
GoBoat
268
385
382 20'
20'
20'
PaddleBack SUP
30'
Aqua Marina
274
384
20'
Surfer s for
280
TAHE Sport / SIC Maui
Orlando Surfrider
283
The Factory
282
20'
20'
Floorplan is subject to change.
SURF’S UP
600
Mama la
705
Waboba
CBF Label
701
700
4002
20' 20'
20'
20' 40'
30'
Havaianas
20'
20' 30'
1010
20'
Body Glove, Skye Swimwear, Eidon
20'
Peter Grimm Ltd.
1013
905
804 20'
801
Surf 4001
20' 30'
Geckobrand s
Ipanema/Cartago
Ocean Potion
20'
Marlo ru
601
Inspecs Eyewear
Lokai
Project Reef -
Virtu Made /
911
20'
4003
50'
501
Shade Rayz
401
707
913 Cablz, Inc.
811
810
605 603
FLOJOS
20'
500
400
The Cock
1021
901
1000
20'
602
921
Pepper's Polarized
505
Union Of
812
Track Salty Fly Britch
711
Aqua Case /
20'
504
403
20'
713
40'
20'
Salty Cali
Former
20'
405
920
Corkcicle
20'
LIFELI NE
301
406
710
M&W Design
821
20'
Charming Shark Tropical Accessories , Inc.
Avenue 1
20'
Slk Skate
303
BERMIES
Pinea Board pple Retail
611
Surfer Dudes
305
Psycho Tuna
613
610
20' Bermies 507 20'
20'
Deviat e
Comp ass
511
20'
304
307
513
Apex Skimboard
205
TIOIT
Bask Sunca
510
20'
Grind for
512
411
20'
Casio America,
207
AVVA
410
Simbi USA
COMBAT IRON
Duvin Design
Carver Skate Area
412
Globe Arveq and ,
311A
20'
20'
311B
Nica Life
Dominican Republic
B Fresh
310
20'
Shore
5801 Print
211
The Critic
20'
213
Globe and
Relentless Betrayal
20'
Shinesty
214
820
20'
Carve r
20'
716
20'
317
20'
I-SEA
217
617
Neighborhood Lounge
20'
Carve r
216
Lotus and Luna
ALOHA Collection
20'
Kala 1029
Hobie
20'
723 721
20'
825
20'
RUSTY USA
623
Klean Kante
1030
20'
20'
622
725
20'
SCOTT
1033
Lafay GUAR ette DIAN
931
Panama Jack
20'
20'
522
30'
928
Blue Planet Eco-
423
20'
829
Fydeli ty
120
20' 828
20'
20'
4ocean
20'
Bear Walker
Carve Eyewear
729
20'
QALO
728
United States
524
20'
Brother Internation
629
20'
523
20'
SAXX
422
20'
RSVLTS
323
Party Pants
Jetty
Hülya Swim
223
424
626
Slant Six Private Label
933
Slowti LOST de IN
527
20'
324 20'
ENO Eagle
427
20'
225
Lokal Swim
327
Fair Harbor
222
R ov
Howler Brothers
123
224 Little Box
The Salty
227
Reel Skipper
122
W es
20'
125
Hang Loose
226
20'
127
Stoefs Studio
128
20'
AVID Sportswear
1039 20'
833
733A
939
Safilo USA 20'
633A 630
20'
531
20'
533
20'
20'
30'
...LOS T
20'
733B
RHYT HM
Distan SHAD t E
431
20'
REEF
...LOST
RHYTHM
633B
20'
Skullcandy
839
1045
20'
PUKKA INC
Free
331
20'
Tiki Toss
843
20'
Salty Crew 739
20'
ROARK 30'
332 20'
Ballast Beach
231
20'
Pirani Life,
743
639
20'
230
20'
RIP CURL
Sand Cloud
20'
Katin
EARTHPAC K
Shaka Love
130
DARK SEAS
539
30'
132
20'
20'
233
20'
BN3TH
Captain Fin
439
Croakies, A Hilco
239
131
20' Nomadix 543 20'
30'
30'
Global Sales
139
138
134
30'
Sun Bum
Pura Vida Bracelets
242
1001
The Boardwalk
140
30'
B O
142
Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Surf Expo, Orlando FL Room W-304
6:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:15 pm 8:00 pm
Doors Open to Public Inductees Seated on Stage Induction Ceremony Begins Ceremony Ends
Welcome ECSHOF President Gary Germain Introduction of the ECSHOF Board of Directors and Advisory Council Master of Ceremony Hunter Joslin
INDUCTEES CULTURE – Tom Warnke, Florida INDUSTRY – Mark Neustadter, New Jersey MEDIA – Darrell Jones, Florida CECIL LEAR PRESIDENT’S AWARD – Roy Turner LEGENDS Ricky Carroll, Florida Bill “Holmesy” Holmes, Florida Kem McNair, Florida WOMEN Falina Spires, Florida MEN Baron Knowlton, Florida Noah Snyder, North Carolina David Speir, Florida Order of inductees may change on the day of the event.
‘The three most important things in life Surf....Surf....Surf !’ – Jack O’Neill
Board of Directors Gary M. Germain President
Greg Loehr
Nominating Committee
Bob Mignogna Senior Advisor
David A. Scibal
Finance Committee
Sharon Wolfe Cranston Events Committee
Cecil Lear (d)
Co-Founder, President 1996-2016
Advisory Council Michael Baytoff • Glenn Brumage • Jim Cartland Pete Dooley • Kevin Grondin • Hunter Joslin Mitch Kaufman • Nancy Lear • Dick “Mez” Meseroll Mike May • Sandy Ordille • Peter “PT” Townend
Acknowledgments Project Director Peter “PT” Townend Creative Director
Cindy Love
Cover Art Phil Roberts Photo Archivist
Michael Baytoff
www.eastcoastsurfinghalloffame.org eastcoastsurfinghof
ECSHOF
eastcoastsurfinghalloffame3221
IN MEMORY OF
ceCil Lea r
October 3, 1930 ~ January 16, 2022 by Andrew Lewis
L
ike a family. That’s how Cecil always thought of all of us. Us: the kids starving for the rare gem at Indian Rocks or jostling for priority at Sebastian Inlet. The teenagers dipping into their first real barrel at the Lighthouse or the twenty-somethings chasing down the best sandbar in Jersey. The lifers suiting up for the long, cold point breaks in New England. And the grizzled chargers of the Great Lakes. It never mattered to Cecil if you had donned an ESA singlet or not—in his eyes and in his heart, every East Coast surfer was of the same bloodline, the same tribe. For the many who knew him, it was no surprise when Cecil took the stage at the last East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame induction ceremony, in January 2022, he looked through the lights and across the crowd and thanked them “for being a part of this family.” Surfing didn’t come to Cecil until later in life—he was 31 when he stood up on a board for the first time. But the ocean had long been in his veins. When his family moved to Belmar, New Jersey, in 1946, a 16-year-old Cecil immediately gravitated to the water. He took up bodysurfing and became a Belmar lifeguard in 1947, a job he served proudly for the next 20 years. Not long after being bitten by the surfing bug, in 1963, Cecil co-founded the Jersey Surfing Association, then, in 1967, he and his pal Rudy Huber created the Eastern Surfing Association, an organization that would go on to revolutionize amateur competitive surfing around the world. In 1996, Cecil and big wave legend Greg Noll created the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame. Noll had come up with the idea a year or so before, and when he started asking around about the best person to run the Hall of Fame, everyone told him Cecil Lear. The pair became fast friends and remained so for the rest of their lives. “If you’re gonna give me credit for the Hall of Fame,” Noll said in 2016, “it’s maybe ten percent me and 110 percent Cecil.” As you will discover in the remembrances that follow, 110 percent was all Cecil knew. Every once in a while, a person capable of equal parts passion and humility graces our world. And when they’re blessed with a life as long as Cecil’s, the good they accomplish, and the number of lives they inspire, are truly immeasurable. That was Cecil.
MIKE VUOCOLO
At the 2022 Induction Night, Cecil met Kelly Slater for the first time. Cecil, in founding the ESA, created the Eastern pathway that enabled Kelly to become the greatest of all time.
PETER TOWNEND First World Champion (1976) I first met Cecil when I was advertising director for Surfing magazine in the ’80s. I got to know him a whole lot better through the ESA, as Surfing was the official publication of the organization and we were producing a mini-mag for the ESA Easterns. I would go back to Hatteras for Easterns in the era of Kathy Phillips, and would spend quality time with Cecil, always talking ESA history. The topper of it all, though, was when I had the honor of MCing Cecil’s induction into the Surfing Walk of Fame in 2021. He was a true OG of American surfing culture—and the godfather of Eastern Surfing. DICK METZ Co-Founder of Surfing Heritage & Culture Center Cecil was a longtime, close friend, and he had such a good sense of humor. When I started the Surfing Heritage in 1999, we talked all the time. He used to come to California and see me, so we hung out a lot, too. He was always reliable, and he was a doer. You’d call Cecil up if you wanted some help, or a phone number, whatever, and he’d get back to you. He just got stuff done. Historically, you know, so many surfers are kind of flaky—they're all good guys, but they don’t really zero in on stuff like they should be, but Cecil, he was just the opposite—he was responsible. You’d tell him something, or ask him something, and he’d go get it done. So, I just had the utmost respect for him. JASON BORTE Author of Pipe Dreams: A Surfer’s Journey, Class of 2016 Surfers aren’t givers; we’re takers. Seldom do you encounter one who is truly selfless, especially along the East Coast, where the distance from waves and recognition leads us to snatch up everything we can get our hands on. Cecil fulfilled voids in a pathway to surfing success in the form of the ESA, and, later, validity of that success, in the form of the Hall of Fame—and not for himself, but for others. The institutions he built facilitated dreams, and while Cecil has left us, he’ll continue to facilitate so many more dreams for generations to come.
MEZ / ESM
PT COLLECTION
Cecil Lear at the podium presenting the first-ever Cecil Lear President’s Award to recipient Kathy Phillips
It’s not the Super Bowl, but to the East Coasters, it’s their greatest recognition.
PETE DOOLEY Shaper and Founder of Natural Art Surfboards, Class of 2004 My overriding impression of Cecil has always been the warm calm he emanated in all situations. That golden smile, that calming voice imparting to all in his presence that nothing was that big of a problem—and everything was going to be okay. C.J. HOBGOOD 2001 World Champion, Class of 2022 Because of our age difference, or maybe it was just being a rat grom, I was always more of an observer of Cecil. But even from that distance, I could see he was one of only a handful of people who really cared about providing a great place for the kids to compete at the highest level—and to have a chance at making surfing their dream. Cecil alone was the catalyst for some of the best amateur surfing in not just my home state of Florida, or just on the East Coast, but throughout the US, maybe ever. We do owe that recognition to Cecil. GREG LOEHR Shaper, Head of ECSHOF Nominating Committee, Class of 2000 Cecil’s sage advice was always inspirational to how I did my job at ECSHOF. Beyond conveying his basic philosophy that the organization had the responsibility of representing the entire coast and the entirety of the sport, Cecil was largely hands off, just trusting me to make him proud. Always easy, always fair, always the steady hand on the tiller, Cecil’s unique ability to convey a quiet leadership made him the man we fondly remember today. SID ABBRUZZI Pioneer of Rhode Island Surfing, Class of 2016 I met Cecil during the ESA’s Colin “Doc” Couture era. Doc was a Boston doctor who kept coming down to Newport, Rhode Island, and eventually became a regional ESA Director, taking us on numerous trips up and down the East Coast—and even a few to California to introduce the ESA to the world. It was during that time that I met Cecil. He was doing the same thing in New Jersey as Doc had been doing in New England. Those guys had a fantastic contest circuit. That’s when my mind
PT COLLECTION
At Cecil’s last East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame induction night, seen here with Bob Mignogna, ECSHOF Board of Director, and with 2024 Inductee Mark Neustadter
had a clear view of the future, which became reality in Surf Fest. Fast forward to 30 years later, when I invited Cecil and his wife, Mary Lou, to Surf Fest, which was attended that summer by over 4000 people and included over 1000 surfboards and surfers from around the globe. I’m glad I did—Cecil enjoyed himself to the limit, and I’ll never forget him there.
DICK MESEROLL Co-Founder, Eastern Surf Magazine, Class of 2006
Class. Grace. Generosity. Humility. Heart. Soul. Aloha. These are just a few of the words I have no hesitation using to describe Cecil, and how this one-of-a-kind surfing legend carried himself right up until I talked to him during his last ECSHOF board meeting after the Class of 2022 induction ceremony. If I knew then that it would be the last time I would see and speak with him, I would have told him I loved him. So, I'm saying it now: I love and miss you Ceece—we all miss you, and thanks for showing us how to achieve a life well lived.
MARY LOU LEAR Cecil’s Best Friend and Wife of 67 Years The beach and ocean were always at the center of our family life. Being a veteran lifeguard, and body surfing and swimming, made Cecil a true waterman early on. When he was approached to help form the ESA, he poured his heart and soul into making it a success. He wanted to make surfing accessible to all. He nurtured it, and with help from so many, he brought it to life. Cecil’s strong belief in personal contact was key to his strategy. His “Rolodex”— now known as your cell phone’s “Contacts”—was unbelievable! I believe he knew the location of every phone booth from Maine to Florida and every area code across the country! His dedication to the ESA became his success story. He influenced so many, young and old. But he succeeded in so many other ways—husband, father, brother, friend. He was a sincere, honest, humble, hardworking, and loyal man. And our daughters Jeanne, Susan and Nancy and I remain his biggest fans. Not bad for a man who “wanted everyone to have fun.”
Chronology of Inductees 1996-2022
2022
Jeannie Chesser Bill Hixon Clifton James “C.J.” Hobgood Chris Lundy* Danny Melhado Kristy Murphy John Parton Eric Penny* Kathy Phillips Matt Walker Spyder Wright
2020
Tyler Callaway Tony Caramanico Adele Faba Berenda Jesse Fernandez Bill Hartley Damien Hobgood Pete Hodgson Will Lucas* Richard “Dickie” Munson Bobby Owens Lewis Earl “Hoppy” Swarts*
2018
Scott Buseby Ben Bourgeois David Carson Alexander Hume Ford* Kevin Grondin Bill Johnson Skill Johnson Mickey McCarthy* Greg “Grog” Mesanko David Nuckles Debra Swaney
2014
David “DCB” Balzerak Shea Lopez Allan Margolis* Mike Martin* Donny Mulhern* Greg Mungall Michael “Nemo” Nemnich Dean Randazzo Christel Rover Les Shaw
Media Pioneers Paul Chapey Sid Abbruzzi Doug Fiske Jason Borte Ed Greevy Pam Hill John Gunderson Hunter Joslin Carl T. Herrman Duke Paoa Kahanamoku* Dick Van Winkle* Corey Lopez Joe McGovern* Sandy Ordille Phil Roberts Dick “Rozo” Rosborough Rich Rudolph
2016
*Deceased
2012
Barbie Belyea Tim Briers Shagg Catri Kirk Cottrell* Bill Feinberg John Holeman Larry Miniard Sean Slater Kevin Welsh Pat McCoy Wilcox
2010
Sharon Wolfe Cranston Bud Gardner* Sue Lloyd Hogan Ross Houston Jeff Klugel Scott McCranels George Miller Bob Rohmann Doug Waters
2008
Lisa Andersen Jim Cartland Todd Holland Charlie Kuhn Bob Mignogna Ted James* Richard Lisiewski*
2006
Will Allison Bill Bringhurst Tom Dugan Howie Goldsmith Richard “Dick” Graham* Mary Ann Hayes Matt Kechele Dick “Mez” Meseroll Pat Mulhern Sam Reid* Frieda Zamba
2004
Bill Curry Pete Dooley Lewis Graves* Wes Laine Isabel McLaughlin Kathy Phillips Larry Pope Phil Salick Lynn Vignetti Thomas Renee Whitman Zabourek
2002
1998
David Aaron* Joey Roher Adric Kathy Jo Anderson Ron Dimenna Ed Fawess Fred Grosskruetz* Charlie Keller* Bette Marsh* Greg Noll* Jim Phillips Gaulden Reed* Joe Roland Flea Shaw Fletcher Sharpe Ruben Snodgrass* Bill Whitman* Dudley Whitman* “Balsa” Bill Yerkes
Jeff Crawford Linda Davoli Bill Frierson Howie Lyon* John “Chummer” McCranels* Mike Oppenheimer Lisa Muir Wakley 1996 Bruce Walker Charlie Bunger* Dick Catri* 2000 Claude Codgen Tom Blake* Colin “Doc” Couture* Charlie Baldwin George Gerlach* Warren Bolster* John Hannon Duke Boyd* Dan Heritage* Babe Braithwaite* Bob Holland* John Carey* Rudy Huber* Bruce Clelland Cecil Lear Janice Domorski Mimi Munro DeMetropolis Jack Murphy* Renee Eisler Sam Gornto Pat O’Hare* Bob Hawkins Peter Pan Graham “Dusty” Hinnant* Gary Propper* Mike Howes* David Reese Greg Loehr Skip Savage Tommy McRoberts* Pete Smith Buddy Pelletier* Yancy Spencer III* Henry “Stretch” Pohl* Mike Tabeling* Rick Rasmussen* Bruce Valluzzi* Rich Salick* Bob White John Smith* Bill Wise* Joe Twombly*
CLASS OF 2024
men
Awarded to an individual male, who has achieved prominence as a highly respected surfer, competitive or non-competitive, in the surfing community regionally, nationally or internationally.
Baron Knowlton FLORIDA
PHOTO COURTESY BARON KNOWLTON
Abandoned at a young age, the Lake Worth, Florida local surfers took Baron Knowlton under their rough and tumble wings. They spotted his surfing talent early on, taking him to the famed barreling big waves of Puerto Escondido at only 15 years old. Knowlton did not disappoint; he charged the biggest sets. Small waves were no problem either as South Florida hurts for anything but small waves in the summer. As his surfing developed, Knowlton became known for his big wave exploits, but he also took his talents to the ASP East Pro Tour. He did well enough against the East Coast’s best to build up a small nest egg, which provided him the funds to travel to Hawai’i to surf the powerful waves at Pipeline and, down the beach, the dangerous Rock Piles. On days that nobody else would surf Rock Piles, Knowlton was there. In one article on Hawai’i, a magazine interviewer asked Kelly Slater, “Who’s surfing well this year in Hawai’i?”, to which the 11x World Champ responded, "Baron Knowlton is charging.” At Maui’s famous Honolua Bay, Knowlton’s action photo sequences taken by Floridian photographer Kevin Welsh were published in Surfer magazine, giving Knowlton tremendous global exposure. Taking his winnings from East Coast ASP contests, he entered the European leg of the pro tour and competed until his money ran out. Today, Baron Knowlton is the Head Lifeguard at Lake Worth Pier.
Noah Snyder NORTH CAROLINA
Noah Snyder is widely recognized as the first professional surfer from the Outer Banks. His record includes winning more pro events than anyone from the region. Snyder began surfing as a youngster and almost immediately surf sponsors picked him up. By his 21st birthday, Snyder was competing professionally with Hurley International his primary sponsor. As a long-time ASP WQS pro, Snyder traveled and surfed all over the world. He appeared in magazines and videos surfing many of the world’s most challenging waves, while earning appearances in numerous videos, including “Straight from Mars,” “Walking on Water,” “The Outsiders” and the “Surf NRG Series.” Snyder’s many adventures led to the story of his life being featured in one of the most seen surf films of all time, “Noah’s Arc.” After 17 years working with Hurley, Snyder felt the calling to focus on building his business, Momentum Fitness, based on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. He has hosted surf camps for over 20 years and has
JON CARTER
been conducting boot camps since 2007, and is a certified Bootcamp and Group Fitness Instructor. Not one to rest on laurels, Snyder entered the surf art world. As a third generation artist, his style and frame of reference is truly unique. His connection with the natural world via his international surfing experiences can be felt in each and every piece of his artwork. Snyder was inducted into the North Carolina Surfing Hall of Fame in 2022.
David Speir FLORIDA
David Speir recorded stellar amateur and pro careers with many pro contest victories. Into his late 40s, he was still winning pro events. Speir also has extensive surf travel experience and he competed on the ASP World Championship Tour for many years. Speir’s father was an avid surfer, who surfed for the love of the sport. Cocoa Beach was home and Speir grew up in the same town and at the same time as Kelly Slater, future GOAT. In this small town Speir, Slater and their friends competed against each other often, in free surfs and contests for waves, prizes, trophies and sponsors, helping to push the envelope for everyone in the small group. As Speir’s surfing matured, he made the trek 30 miles south to Sebastian Inlet, where the best surfers in Florida honed their skills in front of photographers for the major surf publications. Speir’s photos graced the pages of the magazines often. For decades he was, and continues to be, one of the most inspirational presences at the most dominant surf spot on Florida’s Eastern Shore. Speir was featured on DICK “MEZ” MESEROLL / ESM a number of Surfing magazine covers and was featured in numerous travel articles in both Surfer and Surfing magazines. He also appeared in Japan’s surf magazines. Today, Speir has settled down and holds a sales rep job with eyewear brand Oakley, where he has been for well over 25 years, and still never misses a good swell.
CLASS OF 2024
women
Awarded to an individual female, who has achieved prominence as a highly respected surfer, competitive or non-competitive, in the surfing community regionally, nationally or internationally.
Falina Spires FLORIDA
Falina Spires grew up in Ormond Beach, Florida and started surfing at 16 at her home surf break, Granada. Spires attended Sea Breeze High School and was an active member of the school surf team, “winning every contest offered,” she once reminisced. Her first amateur contest was in 1989 at the ESA North Central Florida event at Ponce Inlet in 2-3' surf, where she placed 2nd after surfing for only one year. Spires surfed regularly at Flagler Pier because it was uncrowded and 4x Women’s World Champion Frieda Zamba (ECSHOF 2006) surfed there. The two became friends and Zamba’s surf company became one of Spires’ first sponsors. “It was incredible to have that fantastic role model, who’s such a radical innovator in women’s surfing,” said an appreciative Spires about Zamba. Landing on the cusp of the dawn of surfing’s effort to qualify as an Olympic sport, Spires saw an opportunity and participated in the 1992 ISA World Surfing Games as a Team USA competitor. “I represented the USA in two International Surfing Association (ISA) events. Only two women from each country were selected to compete in the World Surfing Games, so it was quite an honor,” she explained. With Bruce Walker (ECSHOF 2002) and Kevin Grondin (ECSHOF 2018) as her coaches, she placed 5th in the Women’s division contributing enough points for Team USA to place 1st in the 1992 event. Spires made her pro surfing debut at Sebastian Inlet in 1994, where she placed 2nd to Zamba. She was soon sponsored by WRV Surfboards from Virginia Beach and established a working relationship with its top shaper, Jesse Fernandez (ECSHOF 2006). Spires secured a spot on the ASP WQS and her competitive savvy took her all over the world as a professional for over 10 years with consistently high placings and wins in many events. Surf magazine articles and photos were published. Today Spires lives on the Australian Gold Coast and surfs every day. She stands out as one the East Coast’s finest competitors and one of the best East Coast women surfers during her era.
JIM PIDGEON
JIM PIDGEON
W W W. BODYGLOVE.COM
CLASS OF 2024
media
Awarded to an individual, male or female, who has achieved prominence in the creation or distribution of surfing content in print, digital, film, TV, or live event; as a publisher, editor, photographer, writer, or another position of prominence in the surfing community regionally, nationally or internationally.
Darrell Jones FLORIDA
A staff photographer for Surfer magazine throughout the mid and late 1970s and ’80s, Darrell Jones followed in the footsteps of future ECSHOF members Larry Pope (ECSHOF 2004) and Bruce Walker (ECSHOF 2002) providing the next generation of East Coast surfers with access to the international stage through his photos that appeared on the pages of the magazine. Jones’ exceptional work covered many years documenting Hawaii’s North Shore photographing the world’s best. Traveling with and photographing the elite level surfers became his passion and his photography became the sport’s very best, gracing a number of the magazine’s covers and interior pages. His travels took him to every well-known surf country on the globe and many others that were less or hardly known surf locations on nearly every continent.
TOM DUGAN
Jones’ incredible photography today graces such notable publications as Islands, Outside and many other national and international publications. It was also a well-known fact that Jones was considered to be the best surfer out of all the world’s surf photographers. No surprise he knew exactly what photos to take and it showed.
CLASS OF 2024
legends
Awarded to an individual, male or female, who has achieved fame as a respected surfer, considered a legend or a pioneer. This recognition can be as one of the first surfers to establish the sport in a particular area; or an individual who has pioneered one, or more, innovative techniques in wave riding, surfboard design and construction; or achieved legendary status in the surfing community regionally, nationally or internationally.
Ricky Carroll FLORIDA
During his time as a pro, Carroll continued shaping and building surfboards for Natural Art until he opened his own factory in Rockledge, FL along with a retail store in Satellite Beach, Ricky Carroll Surfboards. Today he continues to manufacture under his name brand but also as a licensee for Takayama Surfboards, Local Motion Surfboards and Surfboards Hawaii. Carroll has shaped for many top pros including C.J. Hobgood (2001 ASP World Champion, ECSHOF 2022), Bonga Perkins, Danny Melhado (Op Pro Junior Champ and 3X ASP East Champ), Damien Hobgood (ECSHOF 2020), Cheyne Horan, Justin Quintal (2019 WSL Longboard World Champion), Connie Arias, Daisy Nerida Valdez (PHI), Larry Bertlemann, Rachel Presti and many other stars in the sport. In 2007 Carroll won the inaugural “Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off” at the Sacred Craft Surf Show in San Diego and won the same title another three years in a row as well as winning the inaugural “Block of Foam Challenge” at the Boardroom Show at Surf Expo. Carroll is now the host and lead judge at the “Florida Shape-Off” held annually at the Surf Expo Trade Show in Orlando. Finally, Carroll believes in giving back to the sport that has given him so much. Through the years he has supported numerous organizations and charity events with funding, time and sponsorships including the ESA, Surfrider Foundation, local schools and a myriad of other events.
Bill “Holmesy” Holmes FLORIDA
Holmesy is a Del Mar, California native, who began surfing in the late 1950s with an imagination and a burning desire to create surfboards with his hands, which he learned to do. Holmes moved to South Florida in 1964 and brought along his surfboard building knowledge. Originator of a radical new design, the Sidewinder, Holmes marketed the innovation, which became popular and which many surfers rode
DICK “MEZ” MESEROLL / ESM
In 1975 at the age of 15, Carroll qualified for the ESA Championship at Cape Hatteras and continued to compete in the event for the next 10 years winning numerous divisions. He also took first place in the US Surfing Championship Paddle Racing and Kneeboard Divisions, along with a Windsurfing title through another organization. Carroll competed on the USA Surf Team at an ISA World Surfing Championship in Australia as well. Turning pro in 1983, Carroll competed in US and Caribbean pro surfing events for a stretch of seven years and followed that with competing on the ASP Longboard Pro Circuit for a number of years.
while winning nose-riding contests in the mid 1960s.
M.E. GRUBER
His boards are still well known among the old school working in the surfboard building industry, and the classic Sidewinder is still one of the most sought after boards in any collection. As a visionary, Holmes built a very successful business. Holmesy Surfboards were known and sold from Maine to Florida and Puerto Rico. His extensive surf team, led by South Florida legend Kim Neilson, were always a threat at every event even against the Central Florida powerhouse teams of the era. It’s not surprising that in the 2000s Holmes’ creative marvels still command a following.
Kem McNair FLORIDA
Kem McNair was a pioneer 1960s-1970s standout and junior member of the legendary Surfboards Hawaii and Hobie Surf Teams of the ’60s. He was known by everyone for his radical cutting edge surfing well into the 1980s. He won numerous Junior Division titles including a Florida State Championship in 1968, the ECSC in 1969, and the Atlantic States Championship the same year. McNair became one of the top performers, one everyone looked to for the most progressive surfing.
LARRY POPE
In paddle racing he was untouchable winning every event he entered and was the #1 rated ESA paddler. McNair also represented the ESA in the ISA World Championship (aka, the World Contest) in 1972 in San Diego. During those early years McNair surfed for many of the most recognized surfboard companies at the time including the aforementioned Surfboards Hawaii and Hobie, as well as Design One, Weber, Dyno, and David Nuuhiwa Surfboards. From 1971 to 1975 McNair owned and operated MCC Sun and Surf Shop in New Smyrna Beach and built MCG Surfboards. He later went on in the surfboard industry as an airbrusher and glasser at CB Surfboards in New Smyrna Beach contributing his incredible hand craftsmanship on thousands of surfboards. Today McNair is a professional artist and award winning photographer and is published in magazines and on numerous electronic and social media sites.
What started in 1969 as a vision or ‘Search’ of two friends has grown into a philosophy and way of life for surfers and boardsport enthusiasts worldwide. Rip Curl remains committed to the mission of being regarded as the Ultimate Surfing Company in all that we do. Now designing, producing, and distributing a variety of innovative products in more than 60 countries worldwide, Rip Curl takes pride in our world-class roster of surfers and the simple objective to Live The Search.
The Ultimate Surfing Company, joins B Corp movement
CLASS OF 2024
industry
Awarded to an individual, male or female, who has achieved prominence in the surf industry as a surf shop owner; surfboard manufacturer, shaper or glasser; business leader or sales representative; contest producer or organizer; or whose work led to an important product design or equipment innovation in the surfing community regionally, nationally or internationally.
Mark Neustadter NEW JERSEY
Mark Neustadter began competing in the ESA in the Boys Division. As a longtime member of the Reef Surf Shop Surf Team in Margate, he worked at the shop as well. He placed 2nd two years in a row at the ESA Championship at Cape Hatteras in the Juniors Division and at the US Championship in Huntington Beach in 1972 and 1973, where he took 3rd place. As a youngster, Neustadter was also a factory team sponsored rider with Challenger East Surfboards, and later on met Jim Jenks, the founder of Op, and Bill Yerkes, who owned Sundek, introductions which pointed him towards his future career.
JOHN KER
After graduating Stockton State College in NJ and Orange Coast Community College in Orange County, CA, he was introduced to the Rip Curl founders by Surfing magazine’s Bob Mignogna. In his first action sports job, Neustadter established, developed and pioneered Rip Curl USA, where he managed Sales, Marketing and Advertising working with team riders and future World Champs Tom Carroll, Rabbit Bartholomew and Tom Curren. In the mid ’80s he started his own sales agency representing Jimmy’Z, Rip Curl, Rainbow Sandals, Sanuk Sandals, Rusty Surfboards and Apparel, Surftech Surfboards, Electric Eyewear and Cobian Sandals in NY, NJ, PA, MD and DE. Neustadter is a dedicated waterman and action sports athlete since the age of 10 and today lives and surfs year round in his home town, Margate. He was inducted into the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame in 2017.
CLASS OF 2024
culture
Awarded to an individual, male or female, who has achieved prominence in the area of fashion, art, architecture, music, literature, film, acting, design, politics, sports, environmental or humanitarian leadership, or another area in culture in the surfing community regionally, nationally or internationally.
Tom Warnke FLORIDA
Tom Warnke says it was a “revelation” when he began surfing in 1956 after his family moved to Boynton Beach, Florida. “I was 8 when I rode my first waves on an inflatable mat. Nearby Delray Beach had a good surfing spot at the end of Atlantic Avenue. I could rent a board from Delray Bicycle & Sporting Goods for an entire day with a coupon in the Sunday paper for $1.25. They sold some of their rental boards, which is how I bought my first one.”
COURTESY WARNKE
Warnke is a lifelong surfer but more than anything, he’s an organizer. His life’s devotion is to surfing, the sport and the lifestyle. Never short of new projects, Warnke has seemingly found time for impacting the lives of thousands of East Coast surfers. From contest organizer to 40 years as an ESA District Director to Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Surfing History Project to his time in the development of the first Florida Surfrider Foundation Chapter, Warnke’s influence on East Coast Surfing runs deep. Below are just a few of his contributions. 1966 - Founded Boynton Beach’s first surfing organization, the Cripple Creek Surf Club, and went on to produce hundreds of surfing contests as volunteer director of the ESA. 1966-1968 – Surfing competition judge and event announcer, Palm Beach County Surfing Association 1968-1974 – Judge and event announcer, ESA 1974-Present – ESA Board of Directors 1974-2014 – District Director, ESA 1984-2001 – 18 years working for the sunglass brand Costa Del Mar as marketing manager, company spokesman and VP of Sales. 1996 – Initiated development of the first Surfrider Foundation chapter in Florida, a chapter that is still in existence today. This early development led to a coastal-wide Surfrider Foundation engagement with the East Coast surfing community. Today, Florida has twelve Surfrider chapters, more than any state except California. 2009-Present – Warnke is Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Surfing History Project (PBCSHP), which manages the Surfing Florida Museum’s collection and exhibits. Warnke is committed to preserving the history, culture, memorabilia and future of East Coast Surfing, mainly focusing on the State of Florida. He began as a founding member and is a trustee for the PBCSHP. 1966-Present – Warnke is also a prolific writer with articles having appeared in a number of surfing and mainstream publications. His literary abilities have clearly articulated the surfing lifestyle to a mainstream audience over many years. Through these writings he has been able to share the feeling, the history and the culture of surfing to the masses.
1996 Charlie Bunger
IN MEMORIAM
2006
Richard “Dick” Graham Sam Reid
2004
2022
Chris Lundy Eric Penny
2020
Will Lucas Lewis Earl “Hoppy” Swarts
2018
Alexander Hume Ford Mickey McCarthy
2016
Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Joe McGovern
2014
Allan Margolis Mike Martin Donny Mulhern Dick Van Winkle
2012
Kirk Cottrell
2010
Bud Gardner
2008
Ted James Richard Lisiewski
Lewis Graves
2002
Howie Lyon John “Chummer” McCranels
2000
Tom Blake Warren Bolster Duke Boyd Babe Braithwaite John Carey Graham “Dusty” Hinnant Mike Howes Tommy McRoberts Buddy Pelletier Henry “Stretch” Pohl Rick Rasmussen Rich Salick John Smith Joe Twombly
1998
David Aaron Fred Grosskruetz Charlie Keller Bette Marsh Greg Noll Gaulden Reed Ruben Snodgrass Bill Whitman Dudley Whitman
… catching waves in heaven
Dick Catri Colin “Doc” Couture George Gerlach John “Jack” Hannon Dan Heritage Bob Holland Rudy Huber Cecil Lear Jack Murphy Pat O’Hare Gary Propper Yancy Spencer III Mike Tabeling Bruce Valluzzi Bill Wise
CLASS OF 2024
Cecil Lear President’s Award An ECSHOF Cecil Lear President’s Award recipient shall be selected by the ECSHOF Board of Directors and awarded to an individual, male or female, who has made a lasting contribution in leadership or mentoring to East Coast Surfing.
Roy Turner
Roy Turner is a 45-year veteran of the action sports industry and current SVP/Show Director of Surf Expo. Turner began attending Surf Expo in the 1970s and began working with the show in 2007. Turner rode his first wave at the age of nine in Topsail Beach, NC and has been hooked ever since. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, he worked his way through school at local surf shops and skate parks before opening his own surf shop, Surf City, in Wrightsville Beach in 1982, along with long-time partner and friend, Mark Allison. Surf City quickly became a part of the local community bringing skate and surf pros to Wrightsville, exposing the area to world class talent. In the early 1980s, along with friends from Record Bar, Turner helped to manage a series of ASP top rated events in Wrightsville Beach. The event s were blessed with great surf allowing East Coast surfers to compete against the best in the world, which helped put Wrightsville Beach on the map as a top East Coast Surf Town. In 2003 Turner saw the business of surf rapidly expanding and leaving core shops without a consolidated voice. Along with support from his friend, Mike Duncan, and Surf Expo, Turner brought together key board sports retailers from around the country, who shared the vision that independent owners were not competitors but partners who needed a way to make their voices heard. Today, the Board Retailers Association (BRA) is in its 23rd year helping independent board sport retailers have a consolidated voice and be heard in the industry.
Turner is a passionate advocate for the action sports industry and is committed to helping it grow and thrive. He currently serves on the Advisory Boards of SIMA and BRA and is a frequent attendee, volunteer and speaker at industry events. He enjoys the waterman lifestyle—skating, fishing, surfing and paddling with friends and family.
JAMES TURNER
Under Turner’s leadership, Surf Expo has grown to a global event, attracting buyers and brands from more than 50 countries. He has also helped to expand the show’s content offerings, while remaining true to the business of Surf. Surf Expo is a strong supporter of the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and the East Coast Surfboard Shape-Off, traditions that have been a part of the show since the early days.
MIKE NELSON
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Congratulations! to this year's inductees.. . CLASS OF 2024
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