East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame - Class of 2024 Official Magazine

Page 1

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


Become a Friend of

The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame

To learn more, go to www.EastCoastSurfingHallofFame.org/donate or scan the QR code below.


Congratulations! to this year's inductees.. . CLASS OF 2024

SURF EXPO CONTINUES TO BE A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE

SurfExpo.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.