THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 26, 1996 TAG: 9608260150
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 60 lines
Californian Ryan Simmons won the men's professional division of 34th annual East Coast Surfing Championship in convincing fashion on Sunday at the Oceanfront.
Although the waves were only knee- to waist-high along the 1st Street jetty, Simmons found the larger swells and generated the speed needed to pull off some high-scoring maneuvers, earning him a $4,000 paycheck.
``I was trying to be more patient than in earlier heats,'' said Simmons, a 22-year-old Seal Beach, Calif. resident. ``I lucked into getting at least one good wave in all of the larger sets.''
Ron Hope of Melbourne, Fla., took second place, followed by Jason Borte of Virginia Beach in third and Paul Reinecke of Indialantic, Fla. in fourth.
The last Virginia Beach surfer to win the men's pro division was Wes Laine in 1982.
The women's pro division was won for the second consecutive year by Elisa Schwarzstein Cairns of Laguna Beach, Calif. She received $750 and 500 points.
More than 100 pros and 350 amateurs competed in the contest. While the pros had the advantage of surfing directly next to the jetty - where the better waves are - and put on a great show of small-wave surfing, the amateurs had their share of good performances.
``A lot of these guys were ripping it up today,'' said Paul West, director of the amateur surfing and East Coast competition director for the Eastern Surfing Association. ``Justin Schub was one of many standouts.''
West said that this ECSC was the most ``well organized'' in his 17 years with the event. Upgrades, including paid judges and tabulators, new equipment and larger prizes, added to the contest. Airline vouchers of $375 were awarded to amateur winners of several categories, along with surfboards and accessories to other finalists. Tracy Curtis, co-chairman of the ECSC, which is sponsored by the Virginia Beach Jaycees, said that Wave Riding Vehicles was the second largest contributor to the contest behind Budweiser. WRV donated more than $15,000 in cash and merchandise.
About 35,000 spectators were anticipated for the three-day event. Several thousand people gathered for the awards presentation Sunday afternoon, including Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf.
``The water looks a little flat, but we will do anything for a good party,'' she told the crowd.
While the waves were poor on Sunday, Friday and Saturday saw good surf much of the time. Ian Cairns, director of the professional segment of the contest, said he felt that the event was a big success and hinted that there may be more prize money and points involved for next year's ECSC.
``We need an East Coast event on the Bud Surf Tour,'' Cairns said. ``This contest is ready-made, and we have a great relationship with the Jaycees, the city, and the state of Virginia. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bigger and better contest for next summer.'' ILLUSTRATION: MIKE HEFFNER
Virginian-Pilot photos
While Chris Joyner, above, couldn't believe the marginal wave
conditions during his senior bodyboarding final Sunday morning,
Virginia Beach native Jason Borte, left, rode the waves to a third
place finish in the pro final of the 34th annual East Coast Surfing
Championship. Ryan Simmons won the featured event. by CNB