Melbourne Beach, Florida – The ESA held its first of three regional surfing championships last weekend at Paradise Beach Park in Melbourne Beach, Florida. Florida’s Space Coast delivered contestable surf for ESA competitors from Florida, Georgia and Alabama to showcase their talent in hopes of qualifying for the ESA’s Easterns Surfing Championship in September.
The holding period for the event was Friday through Sunday, however, due to Surfline’s minimal wave forecast for Sunday, ESA officials consolidated the event to run Friday and Saturday with double beaches.
“We want to put our competitors into the best conditions throughout our holding period for these championship events,” said ESA’s executive director Michelle Sommers. “Since our regional events are qualifiers for The Easterns, it’s imperative to offer our competitors the best waves we can.”
Big scores were awarded via LiveHeats. ESA All-Star Ava Earle received the Hot Wave Award with a 9.33 in her Jr Women final, which gave her the first-place finish over an all ESA North Florida final.
“I’m stoked to win regionals this year,” said Earle. “It was so special to share the final with all ESA North Florida girls.”
South Florida’s Marlynn Glaub and Aubrey Rasmussen won the first ESA Open divisions in Womens Shortboard and Womens Longboard, respectively.
“Everyone is so excited about our Open Women divisions,” said ESA All-Star Team coach Jason Motes. “The ladies along the East Coast are on fire and these divisions allow them to gain valuable experience that they will need to progress into the WSL events.”
The ESA partnered with the WSL in 2019 to help amateur surfers have a “Pathway to Pro.” Surfers who have a desire to surf professionally are able to work toward their goals by continuing within the ESA in order to obtain experience and avoid unnecessary costs that don’t necessarily get them to the professional level of surfing on the WSL.
“The ESA continues to lead the way for those who are willing to work hard to reach their dreams of surfing in the WSL,” said Sommers. “Through the ESA, ESA All-Star Team and ESA sponsorships into WSL QS events, there’s no reason for competitors to leave the ESA as they are closer than they think to the WSL.”
ESA All-Stars who claimed top spots in their age divisions include North Central Florida’s Carlie Eastwood (Girls 14-15), Central Florida’s Madison Bennett (Jr Women Longboard) North Florida’s Tucker Demsey (Boys 14-15) and First Coast Florida’s Noah Poteat (Jr Men). ESA All-Star alumni Noah Dovin won the Mens Open Shortboard and Nohea Williams claimed first in Mens Open Longboard – both from Central Florida.
Full results can be found on the event’s LiveHeats page.
The ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional event will be April 26-28, 2024 at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina, followed by the ESA Northeast Regional in Ocean City, Maryland May 10-12. There will be a live webcast from Delmarva Aerial 360 for both events on ESA’s youTube channel and website.