Jennette’s pier once again was host to another NC ASF surf contest, making this venue the prime spot for local and visiting.  On Sunday, June 3^rd the ASF-NC Chapter posted up in the sand along the south side of Jennette’s pier to run their seventh contest of the inaugural season.  To the directors and competitors delight, a small background swell was hiding under the early high tide in the morning.  As the tide lowered, the hiding swell started to show itself and the contest was on.

With the Global Point System offered by the ASF, the local surfing contingents seemed to be outnumbered by the visiting Virginia Chapter surfers vying for valuable points.  It seemed to be motivation for NC Chapter surfers to “defend their territory” as they took the 1^st Place win in the majority of the divisions.

In the youth divisions, NC Chapter’s, Quentin Turko, didn’t have enough hands to carry home all the contest swag that was on site and graciously donated by the local surfshops and restaurants.  At the days end, Turko had claimed victory in the U-16 and U-18 divisions and a runner-up finish in the U-14 division.  The U-18 final, proved to be the most exciting final of the day, as this strong group of ASF talent whittled down to Turko, Michael Foard, Josh Beveridge, and MT Leavel.  Turko’s consistency took out Foard’s attempted air attacks, and the powerful snaps performed by Beveridge and Leavel

Jason Breiholz was again able to claim the Masters victory over Brad Higginbotham from Virginia, and family rival, Brian Breiholz.  Jay Hawekotte, the “legend” himself, took the Legend title of the day, as he took down Carmen Garcia, Gary Smith of Corolla Surf Shop, and the most epic surf dad out there, Bill Hume Sr.

Virginia longboarder, Nick Copenhaver, had excellent style and form for a competitor in the Boys division.  His smooth nose-rides proved too much for local kid-ripper Nohea Futrell as Copenhaver took home the Gold medal.  Michael Foard’s shortboard style on a longboard earned him the victory in the U-18 longboard division and again, Jay Hawkotte was able to put another trophy on the mantle by edging out Bill Hume in the Senior Longboard division.

In what seemed like the most watched heat of the day, a great opportunity offered by the ASF, was the Micro-Grom division. This is always an exciting and entertaining 20 minutes, as dads, moms, or big brothers get to drag their little ones out to sea in a heat that often sees belly rides, epic wipeouts, and complete stoke from miniature ASF surfers.  5 Micro Groms, along with Noah Cutler, first time U10 Boys competitor, gathered around while Executive Director Hume gave all the contestants the basic rules of a surf contest prior to the heat, with her final instruction, “go have fun!”  The Breiholz clan had 3 entrants in Curren, Tess, and Joel, with proud grandfather, local legend, and east coast surfing champion, Marvin Breiholz, playing catcher on the inside.  Keller Foard was escorted by big brother, Michael, to do some first time shredding, with visiting Zack Beaudoin doing some micro-shredding with his brother in the shorepound.  Each up-and-coming shredder won a First Place Trophy and prize pack, gaining valuable experience and knowledge about surfing in a contest.  Noah Cutler took home the First Place U10 Boys trophy and a lot of stoke for the ASF.

The final heat of the day, the elite Open division, proved to be an onslaught of youth surfing talent.  16 competitors surfed through 3 preliminary rounds to make the final as the tide was pushing back in and the swell was again slowing disappearing under the deepening sandbar.  When the final was set, it seemed to create a 2-on-2 VA versus NC finale.  The exuberance and stamina of youth prevailed as Quentin Turko, Virginia Chapter teen-rippers Grady Kenner and Nick Beaudoin, and the sole-survivor of the “older and more experienced” competitors, Jason Breiholz, made up the final.  It was again Quentin Turko who surfed a smart and consistent heat and was able to capitalize on a heat strategy mistake by Breiholz. At the awards presentation, Turko claimed the “big money” and his 3^rd golden trophy of day.  Breiholz settled for second, Kenner earned the bronze, and Beaudoin finished fourth.

With contest #7 of the ASF-NC Chapter in the books, the success of this burgeoning organization is inevitable, but not possible without the stoke, support, and swag from the local sponsors, families, and volunteers.  All divisional winners received trophies and prize packs donated by local businesses, and their continuing supporter and swag sponsor, X-Trak.  The NC ASF would like to thank X-Trak, Corolla Surf Shop, WRV, Whalebone, The Pit Surf Shop, Cavalier Surf Shop, Outer Banks Brewing Station, Secret Spot Surf Shop, Coastal Edge Surf Shop, Food Dudes Kitchen, Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern, High Cotton, the Thai Room Restaurant, Pizza Hut, the Black Pelican, 158 Surf and Skate, Hooked Surfboards, and Nags Head Bowling.  The day ended with more stoke, as all contestants had their name put in the hat, and a drawing was done at the awards.  The lucky surfer, Jason Breiholz, went home with a killer longboard skateboard, donated by Corolla Surf Shop.  Next up for NC ASF….July 7^th…

Julie Hume
Executive Director
Atlantic Surfing Federation….Taking Surfing to the Next Level
julieh@atlanticsurfing.org