www.localswell.com

I volunteered for WSA for 5 years without taking a dime. I brought in tens of thousands of sponsorship dollars for them, revamped their website, moved them to online registration including setting it up and maintaining it, did all the substantial PR and went to every contest to listen to the surfers and their parents and make sure we were on the mark and also make sure the sponsors were presented in a professional light. Also conceived of the Prime series and rolled it out with $10,000 out of my own pocket that was just recently reimbursed by sponsors and I took no pay. This program has been a home run on the west coast and for WSA, but I convinced the WSA board to gift it to Surfing America for the greater good of amateur surfing, even though it is viewed as a huge competitive advantage to WSA. It was a unanimous decision by a board that has had many members in place since before USSF. An organization that was on the brink of failure except for the efforts of Mary Lou Drummy to keep it running in the face of no industry support and a strong NSSA on the west coast. Funner fact - WSA continues to grow even though NSSA is back in the fold. I have a full time job that pays my mortgage. Every moment of my free time (and some of my work time) is taken up by amateur surfing. I do this for the love of the sport. I'm sorry you didn't get the memos after each Surfing America Board meeting but this was all covered for 3 meetings prior to the one during USA Championships last September. I certainly don't do this for the money, or the glory. In fact I lay low and work behind the scenes and am reticent to be publicized for my efforts. Can't let your accusations go unanswered though. I know you are in this for the same reasons and we are probably actually on the same page. I know it is easier for the west coast kids to get up and down the coast. It is 600 miles though, not 100. Talk to the kids that surfed the Montauk event and their parents. Ask them if it was worth it. Regarding the Lowers Permit, NSSA has was outbid last year by Brad Gerlach's National Surf League (The Game). Surfing America wrote a letter of support for NSSA to get the permit. The Game won on every criteria of the permit except for the clause they had written in the contest directive that the amateur permit would go to the most inclusive organization. NSSA won by default last year and this year State Parks took that verbiage out of the directive essentially teeing it up for the Game. If Surfing America did not bid for the permit, it would have gone to The Game as they were in a close second in the bidding behind Surfing America. NSSA's bid was a distant 3rd.

Thanks Lance. It's great to see the facts get out there. It's great to be involved in an organization with people that truely love the Sport like you and Surf Cat. He's just towing the "Party Line" as the All Star Coach, which was originally formed to compete against the NSSA National Team in the Day. Frankly, the NSSA has not been the same since Chuck Allen, Kanga and PT left the organization. At the local level the NSSA North East doesn't venture out of South Jersey. It's funny how, back in the 80's and 90's the ESA would shitmouth the NSSA, now for whatever reason they want to take issue with the fact that Surfing America somehow "stole" Lower Trestles from the NSSA? Spare me. That is Surfing America's spot as ALL associations will have a chance to surf there next August.

I love ESA first off, I think they do a good job getting kids into the comp side of surfing. But they have their problems too. Whats with stacked SOUTH allstar team? How many south judges were in Easterns. I watched some heats that raised an eyebrow. If he had a name he /she was getting thru. Maybe Pat E can help with that question. The fact that is ESA (Debbie H) has known for this for a year now. A press release was sent out July 23. Not two weeks ago! Why did this release NOT get passed on.. I really don't think ESA should make the call on other contests.

The ESA did NOT make the call for the Prime. The Prime invitations were sent based on the results from the Easterns, by Surfing America. However the ESA could have, should have done a much better job at at least noticing the membership and allowing the Membership to participate in decision making. I think Debbie does a great job, as well as Tom McClaren. Our own C/NJ Director Scott Goodwin is always adding events and making things fun for the kids.

However, I made several points earlier in this thread that are pertinent. The bottom line is that no other sport allows interaction with a National Team Coaching staff and opportunity to prove your game at a National / International Level.

So I guess what your tellin me Lance is that at 400 Under 18 competitiors, (as you claim) at $75.00 a pop (do the math). That money is just thrown right back at the kids?? What was your very first take on the first prime series?? Money wise. No need to tell us here. Call me, any time after 5pm EST. we can talk about it. Note: The minutes noted at that meeting in March said you introduced the prime and that discussions would be held with all organizations. Not implimented it. So What I'm asking of you is to get on that little celly of yours and give Mrs Hodges a call. How about the Comp Director Maryanne?? How about have Mike call them so we can get this thing moving if that is what we are really gona do? How about some communication for once instead of he said she said??? We are so far behind the times in the world of surfing talent, and here we are bickering about the contest formats. Lets move along now. Good little doggy.....

As far as Allstar Team selection processes. This year was based on a Regional and Eastern finish as well as your district finish. Style and attitude is about 75% of that equation. How you carry yourself in and out of the water. Next step is to have your District Director Nominate you in a written format to the Allstar Coach. FYI: I watched about 300 heats this year at Easterns, talked with kids local coaches, parents, friends, bros, shapers and sponsors. Unreal the amount of talent that so many of these kids actually have inside of them. Some kids came apart as they competed. Some kids got better the more rounds they competed in. If I could manage 120 strong on a team, I would love to. But that is a little much. This is the best, the elite and these kids are not goof off artists. They work hard in and out of the water. They are on this team to be better than they already are. Some of the Directors did not nominate any kids and I looked at those kids in their respective districts. Unfortunately, they have not been nominated and were taken out in the earlier rounds. But, They killed it! They surf incredibly well. I only hope the Directors can get their suggestions to me for next years team choices. Here's to progres!

Surf Cat, we are going to have to agree to disagree. While I agree with you as to the timing of the Prime, I disagree with your WEAK arguement of the cost factor. The ESA added Regional Qualifiers, some years back when Districts use to send kids right to Har. NOW we have to travel to New Hampshire THIS May to surf freezing cold probably flat surf. ALSO we (Central Jerz) NOW have a 12th contest (added last week) @ $35.00 per surfer per contest, $10.00 per additional event increased for beach registration. YOU do the math...lol. Sooo for say $45.00 per event per surfer (I'll do the math for ya) x 12 is $540.00 per year in entry fees for District events per Surfer at say 200 surfers in the District, $1,200.00 (using your Prime Formula) for the Regionals and another $1,200.00 for the Easterns. Soooo Surf Cat where does that money go? Does it pay the All Star Coach? Does it Pay for Debbie or Mary to Travel? Stop the BS at throwing stones at Surfing America. Does ALL the ESA cash go back to the kids?? The knife cuts both ways.

While money is tight for everyone I don't argue the financials as sports are expensive with kids and IF surfing's their sport, it's much less expensive that other sports including Prime events. As per my previous position no other sport offers the sponsorships or direct contact with National Team Coaches or qualifications. I have confidence in you and Scott to balance the District Budget. I am also have confidence in Debbie and Mary to balance the Association Budget...However, IF you are going to start tossing critisicm around don't be hypocritical.

Once concern I have is HOW your arguing a moot point is good for the kids you're coaching on the ALL Star Team. That should be a stepping stone to the National Team and ASP. How is railing against the US National Team Coach and governing body good for those kids? Hey if "Mom and Dad" argue infront of the "kids" it does damage. Much better to work together to make the Right Coast kids THE BEST, and follow surfers like Pat Mulhern, Jeff Crawford, Wes Laine, Kelly Slater, The Hobgoods etc...

My only remaining concern is your Halloween Party Saturday night...I peeing in your steam iron...LOL

I said 400 competitors in last weekends WSA not Prime. That's $45 a pop for 12 and older, $35 under 12. Some of the permits are $5000 a weekend and they pay ASP judges and wages. That's one of the big things I implemented at WSA - pay for top judges and eliminate the major complaint of the competitors and parents about amateur comps. Prime maxes out at 112 participants at $75 a pop. $8400 total but actually a bit less because there is a 10% discount for bulk entry. They cost between $1000 and $5000 more than that to produce. That is were the funds of our generous sponsors come in. Decisions have been made based on input from everyone. Extra consideration was given to the ESA after the fact. The train has left the station. We have a successful first event under our belt. The kids and their parents are excited about the program. I hope the ESA will come on board and utilize the program to encourage participation in ESA to qualify for Prime and use the Prime as excellent training opportunities for the All Star Team. Whether they choose to or not, we will still offer the Prime invites to top ranked ESA kids after Easterns and encourage the kids to participate in NSSA and ESA. Thanks for all you do for the kids. I know you do a lot and I commend you for it.

Greg

Bringing up fairness, let's take a look at choosing an ESA all star team. You say it goes by your finish in your district, regionals and easterns, however you also say 75% of this decision goes by style/attitude (on beach). This would mean only 25% actually goes by your surfing results, the rest is kind of how well the people deciding, know who you are, so if you messed up at Easterns, (no waves) and you don't come from a "surfing family" and know these people, you can't make the team no matter how well you surf or deserve it. If you spent your time in Hatteras surfing sun up to sun down (enjoying the opportunity to surf in a new/different spot) and didn't sit under the tent in those who matter's face, then even if you were first in district, and first in regionals, and nominated, you can not make this team. Doesn't seem right to me. At least the prime is using actual surfing scores during several contests to see who deserves to go on. It's another chance for kids to show off their skills. The more chances the kids get the better they can do. Its all about getting as many experiences/opportunities you can and having fun while you re at it! I love ESA and know that a lot of hard work goes into it, but their is a definite unfairness for those kids who have no connections or no family members involved who are there because surfing is in their blood and not because they grew up around it or their dads or siblings do it ,but simply because its their passion.

Lance, stoked to have you in the mix on this one; and square away Surf Cats "mistake of Fact(s)"...He means well. Howie, as for the All Star Team: The Problem with All Star Teams is that they are always political. Look at professional sports all star teams. The fans actually vote on them and it sometimes becomes a popularity contest. Whether you surf on the "All Star" team or not, it only matters how well your son or daughter does in school, what kind of character they have and how well the surf..I tell my son all the time that "his best friends in life will come from surfing and the beach"...How many "Little Leaguers" are still friends with kids they played with 30+ years ago? Besides, having Coach Pat in our District he works with ALL the kids for free anyway.

Check out the coverage of the Surfing America Prime East Montauk of EasternSurf.com:
http://www.easternsurf.com/amaturehr_102909/index.html

the esa all star team is bullshit. so your saying if I am #1 in my district #1 in regional and #1 in easterns but im an asshole to everyone i wont be on the team?????? thats fucking gay, its political, its not about how well you surf or if your destroying everyone on the east coast, its about how much dick you can suck. But i am deffently happy for surfcat beingg the coach he is fair, he will take away the political bullshit, he is a great guy and great surfer. The one thing i do have to say is im glad in the CNJ district cause it ALWAYS IS FAIR. no one gets through heats cause of thier name.

i find it kind of weird to that SNJ has ALOT of surfers of the allstar team, but who gives a shit they no whats good who dominates the grudge match eevery year...NORTH JERSEY so FUCK YOU SNJ

ok,casino, that remark really lowered the level of what was a fairly rational discussion on the politics and stuff of the wsa, esa, nssa, prime surfing affairs---but as they say every a---h0-- has an opinion, and you sure gave us yours---- thanks a lot and have a great weekend.

Ct, I'm surprised it's stayed civil for so long...lol..But Casino and others have to know that all All Star Teams are somewhat political. Remember when Iverson didn't make the NBA All Stars for the first few years. It's not just surfing lads...

Check out the great coverage of the Surfing America Prime East Montauk on TransWorldSurf.com:

http://surf.transworld.net/features/nic ... ime-event/

All this shit is bullshit and political. im with you casino!!!!

Yo Surfer4life, hownabout little league, or high school sports with "coaches" kids / friends getting a "nod"; spare me of the poltical BS. allegations. Politics is EVERYWHERE. Have kids? When's the last time you had a child "play" two parent against one another...LOL...It's all Politics pal...Where would you rather spend your time? Little League Field? Football Field or Beach ?

Ok Howie...If you could have seen my list of nominations to the Allstar Team, those kids were already prechosen by their district Director. The Directors know what "Standard" is to be upheld with being a representative of the ESA. These are representatives. After all we are grooming these kids for the "professional ranks". Do you honestly think a sponsor is gonna look at a kid that says %$#! everytime he gets a bad wave or starts freakin out on the beach when he doesn't make it through his heat. What about the down side of surfing where the kids are more concerned about going out at night and staying out getting wasted. We drug test by the way. I have a standard to uphold in the surf industry. It's called good sportsmanship and amazing athleticism. That is what the kids who made the team represent. That's what will get them somewhere in this industry as well as life....guy. Not everybody wins and you have to take that and come back to compete another day. As far as the selection process. I watched close to 300 heats the whole week of Easterns. Watched every kid "nominated" and "not nominated" compete from the 1st round to the finals. Made my notes. Talked to kids that got knocked out because I did my interviews right there at the scoreboard. Some are ready and they know they are ready to come back next year hungry to win. Excellent!
Some of the kids that made the team were the kids that already had class and sportsmanship so my decision was easy. I see so much potential in alot of the Kids that were ripping at Easterns, (they all rip) that's why they are there. Well....my list was over 130 names long. It has to be consolidated to make it the elite. This is an honor to be on this team and alot of the best surfers on the WQS and WCT were former Allstars. It's called tradition and it's not political. Not on my watch! The new team for 2010 has been chosen and will be updated on the website as of January 1st 2010 www.surfesa.org . For local kids like Pat Schmidt who made the 2010 Allstars Roster. He is mature enough and ready to take his surfing to the next level. I've watched Pat since he was in Menehune's and watched him progress through all the contest. Now.....watch him surf. Did you see him boost at the grudge match 1st round. That was stylish and way mature in his set-up to launch sequence. He did it even bigger at Easterns! Blew my mind. This kid deserves to be called the ESA's elite! There was a Pat schmidt in all the districts that were represented at Easterns, but some need another year of practice to be considered elite.


By the way Maso...I did not add the extra contests. Sorry, I'm dealing with Scotty. He just loves the contest scene and you know this. That man was born to run contest......
If I could say no to him I would but this is what makes his day at the end of the day.
Look at the cool trophies he goes out on a limb for every year at "Battle of the Bones"
Scotty has been the man behind the scene, running the scene, living the dream for many years.
He is Goodwin!

Surfcat, no worries man. Just ignore all the BS about people carping about All Star Team Selection. Team selections are what they are, and ALL those kids rip and they are good kids.

As for Goodwin adding contests. I wasn't complaining just underscoring that changes happen within the ESA all the time. The best way for kids to become better at surfing through heats is to simply surf through heats and surf smart. One thing we can agree on, is that Goodwin was born to surf and run contests. Hell look at the Central Jersey grommies that rocked the Prime in Montauk! Rooney, Schmidt and Kewsinski. Hey, how was that Holloweener Suare? I coulnd't make it down to pee in your steam iron/...lol ...Oh and I'm taking you down to Chinatown next contest Mastas LB...Wooohooo

The Surfing America Prime East Montauk event didn't make the cut on Fuel TV's "The Weekly Update" this week, but should be on starting next Saturday. Too much ASP Surf news to cover. Tommy Tant from a couple of weeks earlier was on though so check it out.

Cool. Stoked to see the Central Jerz Grommies tear it up...

Well...seems like competive surfing is not the future...free surfing is...

Al Hunt has gotta be worried too...sponsors don't seem to care one way or the other although it's probably more cost effective for a sponsor to support a free surfer on a surf trip generating mag and DVD coverage compared to backing some dude surfing slop on the WQS or ranking in the bottom half of the WCT

Excellent observation "Pour me another"...and true to an extent. However, neither Al Hunt or his brother "Mike" Hunt are involved with the ASP anymore True, surfing is an Art, however for thousands of grommies it's a sport as well. One things for sure that our sport is way cooler than the others. Would someone rather sit at a hot little league field OR on the beach watching the kids surf? Sports teach kids discipline and self control, setting goals, working hard and overcoming adversity. Plenty of life lessons to be had.

I agree with the previous post, although I am done with competing because of where I chose to attend college and I am way too poor to be traveling all over the place to follow surfing dreams.
When I was competing a lot during high school, with ESA and NSSA, it was difficult even to do just the local comps. It sucks that to compete in this sport requires so much money, but it just does.
I wasn't even a member of the ESA for a year or two because we honestly couldn't even put up the 50 bucks a year. To be asking young kids (well really their parents) to come up with nearly one thousand dollars for a weekend competition, plus be taking the time out of their life and maybe work (no matter how enjoyable a contest is & what the outcome could be) is crazy. But, obviously many people are willing to do it.
It comes down to natural talent and money.. because surfing will get better with experience, and trips & such especially when you're from the Northeast. Unfortunately, kids are going to be left behind because they can't afford to pursue competitive surfing. Reality sucks. Enjoy your local contests, take trips & save money for college.
If anyone from around here realllly wants to go pro, they should just move somewhere else, it's better to be surrounded by better surfers anyway. In the end it would probably cost the same.