ASSATEAGUE- The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) Delmarva District will hold its first surfing contest of the 2015 season at Assateague State Park tomorrow, Saturday, May 30 and the event is open to surfers of all ages who are interested in participating.
“I like to say that the ESA is the Little League for surfers,” said ESA Executive Director Michelle Sommers this week. “It’s where competitive surfers along the east coast begin, including many well-known professional surfers.”
Sommers pointed out the list of professional surfers who began their careers with the ESA included Kelly Slater, C.J. and Damien Hobgood, Lisa Anderson, and Shea and Cory Lopez, to name a few. ESA Delmarva District Director Eric Mitchell said he is excited to offer ESA contests ant different beaches throughout the local area this year including Assateague, Ocean City, Delaware and Chincoteague.
“It is important to offer our surfing events at various locations to include surfers from all over our large region,” he said. “We’ve got great waves throughout our entire district, so let’s allow our competitors to surf these waves and support the local businesses in the area.”
For its part, Assateague State Park is pleased to host the ESA’s first event of the season.
“Assateague State Park takes pride in the fact it has continued to grow as a destination in the surfing community and hopes this surf contest will be the first of many more to come,” said Ranger Adam Stachowiak, who is an avid surfer. “Our staff was excited about the opportunity when the local ESA district asked about including Assateague State Park as one of their locations for this year’s surf contests.”
Sommers explained many local surfers are excited to have this weekend’s inaugural ESA contest at Assateague, which has been the site of several contests in the past.
“The waves at Assateague offer a variety to those who surf elsewhere, but also gives many who may be too intimidated to surf other places a chance to compete,” she said. “The ESA does not require prior competitive surfing experience since it is where people begin. Local ESA events are open for any surfer at any level to participate, as long as they become an ESA member. There will be volunteers on the beach to educate those who are new to competitive surfing about the rules and it will be a fun day for the entire family.”
The first ESA event will be held on Saturday at Assateague State Park beginning at 7 a.m. Competitors must be an active ESA member to participate and can join at www.surfesa.org or contact Eric Mitchell at [email protected]. Updates will be posted on the district’s Facebook page Delmarva ESA.