ESA All-Stars

HOW TO BECOME AN ESA ALL-STAR

ESA’s All-Stars are made up of the best up-and-coming surfers along the East Coast who are dedicated ESA members. Team members gain valuable training from world-class surf coaches, travel as a team building life-long relationships and become exposed within the surfing industry through the ESA by the organization’s marketing, press releases, webcasts, etc.

The ESA All-Star Team is now an INVITE-ONLY process. Coach Motes, along with All-Star Team mentors and the All-Star Team committee will determine who gets invited to All-Star Team. To be considered an ESA All-Star, you should have the right ATTITUDE (not only does one need to be a strong competitor to make the team but must also set a good example with regard to sportsmanship), DEDICATION to the ESA organization & PERFORMANCE (your results from local, regional and Easterns® events). To even be considered, you must have competed in Easterns - no exceptions.

Former ESA Team members include Kelly Slater, Shea Lopez, Cory Lopez, Ben Bourgeois, Leah Thompson, Chris Baiata, Jeremy Saukel, Sam Hammer, Brian Stoehr, Tyler Calloway (FCS), ESA Icon Eric Taylor, Jamie DeWitt, Zander Morton, David Awbrey, Cassidy McClain, Blayr Barton, Simon Hetrick, Josh Richardson and Todd Kinsey. The team is our pride and are the ambassadors of the world’s largest and most effective surfing organization.

MEET COACH JASON MOTES

ESA All-Star Team coach Jason Motes is from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and was born into a true East Coast surfing family. Simply known as "Motes" to most, he started surfing at just three years old and was raised in the ESA. His dad, JD Motes, was the ESA North Florida District Director, and mom, Cindy, served as the beach marshal. From the very beginning, Coach Motes fell in love with surfing, and competition quickly became his passion.

His first ESA Eastern Surfing Championships (Easterns) was in 1977 at five years old where he placed 5th in the Menehunes 13-and-under division.

"Over the years, the ESA has given me lifelong friendships, incredible memories, and opportunities beyond anything I could have imagined," says Coach Motes. "I made the All-Star Team as a grom, earned 37 East Coast Championship titles across multiple divisions, and have had the honor of coaching the ESA All-Star Team for over ten years."

"Some of my best surfing memories have come from being part of the ESA family—traveling, competing, and coaching the next generation of talented, rad groms."

Surfing truly runs in the Motes family - his wife, Krissy Torelli, is the current codirector of the ESA North Florida District, and Motes' son, Josh Motes, is a two-time ESA East Coast Champion and now one of the top judges on the ESA postseason events panel.

"I’m an ESA lifer, and I’m incredibly grateful to have grown up in—and continue to be part of—the Eastern Surfing Association family."

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2026 ESA ALL-STAR Hawaii Trip

Invitations for the team trip to Hawaii will be for the older ESA All-Star Team members who Coach Motes and the All-Star Team committee feel are ready for Hawaii and are in regular participation as an All-Star. The ESA reserves the right to offer invitations to whoever they see as a good fit for this specific training and/or necessary for the logistics of the trip. The ESA does not guarantee every team member will receive an invitation. This trip offers an amazing team experience with professional surf coaches who work with some of the best in the world. Memories and friendships to last a lifetime.

2026 ESA DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM

The ESA Developmental Team is a valuable opportunity for dedicated ESA members looking to elevate their skills through professional coaching with Coach Motes. While not yet at the level required for the ESA All-Star Team, members of the ESA Developmental Team will have access to personalized feedback by sharing video clips with Coach Motes. Additionally, they will receive coaching at regional and Easterns events. Stay tuned for other exciting training activities that may be organized. Join the ESA Developmental Team and take your surfing journey to new heights with expert guidance.

ESA Developmental Team Member Criteria

Maximum attendance and participation in your local ESA events.
Must be an active volunteer at all local ESA events to help run the contests.
Team members are expected to attend all local, regional and Easterns events during the year.
A $350 registration fee and ESA membership renewed to be current throughout entire year of participation.

If you are interested in joining ESA’s Developmental Team, please register through the link below. No application is required. You must be an active ESA member through December 31 of the year you are applying for. If your ESA membership expires before that date, you will be asked to renew prior to registering but your membership will be renewed for 12 months from your date of expiration. For example, if your membership expires Sept 30, 2026, your new expiration date will be Sept 30, 2027.