VIRGINIA BEACH — It’s a perfect storm of conditions that are setting up for a spectacular atmosphere at this week’s East Coast Surfing Championships at the Oceanfront through Sunday. Forecasted temps for the ECSC are projected in the high 70s to low 80s with the sun shining brightly. “It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful summer week,” ECSC surf director Phil Jackson said.
“Lots of families are coming to town from all over the world and we’re hoping to get that sunny Virginia Beach weather that we all love.” But it’s the effects from Tropical Storm Ernesto camping out off the East Coast that has event staff and competitors brimming with enthusiasm. “We have some Ernesto swell lingering around and another shot of northeast swell coming mid-to-late week so we should have an excitingfinish,” Jackson said.
Added ECSC general manager Tony Pellino: “Ernesto swells were ripping through (early Monday) and we’re hoping it sticks around throughfinals. There were killer waves on Sunday for the start.” Hundreds of surfers from across the globe are expected to compete across the various men’s and women’s divisions — from the youngest mini groms to amateurs to professionals.
Some competitors are traveling from as far away as Costa Rica, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Pro/am competition is scheduled to get underway daily at 7:30 a.m.
at the 1st Street Jetty. “We have a ton of up-and-coming East Coast, West Coast and international surfers in the (men’s) draw,” Jackson said. “It’s a stacked field on the women’s side as well.
” Included in the field are Virginia Beach’s Blayr Barton in the men’s division and Camden Hoover in the women’s. With competition rounds consisting of as many as five days, surfers are going to have to deal with variable, and sometimes, inconsistent wave heights and breaking conditions. “Whoever has the stamina and ability to perform in ever-changing conditions, you’ll see them excel and make it through the rounds,” Jackson said.
It’s the 62nd edition of the ECSC and it boasts the title of the world’s longest, continuously-run surfing contest. And while the venerable competition is fun for both spectator and participant, its benefits extend beyond the shoreline. “It’s also the world’s biggest charitable surf contest.
” Pellino said, explaining that the Virginia Beach Jaycees, the ECSC event owners, use the funds raised from ECSC goes toward local charities such as the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Flame of Hope Restoration Project. The Jaycees also brought in a mini half-pipe for skateboarding clinics and open sessions, just one of the new additions to the ECSC festivities along with sand lacrosse. Other activities happening outside the water stretching from 1st Street to 11th Street include BMX stunt team demonstrations, beach volleyball and live concerts.
Walk-up registration is still available. Said Pellino: “Learn to surf, learn to skate — the Jaycees are all about getting the youth involved in something positive and healthy andgetting them active.” For a complete schedule of events, go to https://www.
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