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Eastern Surfing Association
Virginia District
District Meetings are held at 7 PM on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at
303 34th Street, 5th Floor, Virginia Beach, VA
ESA Membership Form
Spring - Summer Newsletter
The ESA is the largest amateur surfing association in the world, with a current membership of over 7,000 surfers. It was founded in 1967, by East Coast surfers to promote, preserve and protect the sport of surfing on the East Coast. Two of the original founders of the ESA, Cecil Lear and David Reese, are still active in the association thirty years later.
Our family oriented programs promote a healthy, active lifestyle and it is not uncommon to find two or three generations of the same family involved as members of the ESA and actively competing in our program!
The association's activities are organized in a total of twenty six districts, which extend along nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, stretching from Maine through the Gulf Coast of Florida, Alabama and the Great Lakes. Each District's programs are developed and operated by volunteer directors and a staff of other volunteers who assist them in this task.
At the national level, the ESA is a founding member association of Surfing America. The ESA is empowered by Surfing America to carry out qualifying amateur events on the East Coast for the American Surfing Championships, the USA Surfing Championships and the USA National Surf Team. The ESA is also empowered by Surfing America to conduct ASP WQS rated professional surfing competitions under contract to ASP North America.
At the international level, the ESA is linked to world surfing through Surfing America's recognition by the International Surfing Association (ISA). The ISA serves as the international governing body for the sport of surfing and is officially recognized by the IOC.
Virginia District History
When the ESA was formed in 1967, there were 4 Districts: New York, New Jersey/Delmava, VA/Carolinas, and Florida. Virginia became its own district in 1970 and was the Virginia-Outer Banks District. The Outer Banks District split off from VA in 1981.The old VA/OBNC District ran 2 contests on Hatteras Island each year and the rest were in VB. Once OBNC split off, the tradition of running summer contests for VA in Hatteras remained -- lucky for us!
The Regional Championship concept was first put in place in 1985. Since that time, the 3 ESA Regions have stayed the same-the NE-Jersey on north. The Mid-Atlantic-Delaware thru GA with the addition of Puerto Rico in 2006. The SE-FLA and Alabama (there is an ESA District in Alabama and yes, they do get waves from time to time).
70s Directors: The first VA District Director was David Bear, a Norfolk fireman. He ran the District from 1970-1976.A guy named David Ford was a co-director with David Bear in 1975 and 1976. David Bear now lives out in Western VA and David Ford’s whereabouts are unknown. Ray Norris took over the District in 1976 and ran it until 1980. Ray was a postal carrier and lives in either Red Mill/Sandbridge.
80s Directors: From 1980-1982, Casey Carr ran the District. Last word on Casey is that he is now living in FL. In 1982, Wayne and Jane Seymour, Barbara Howe and Harry Purkey were appointed VA District Directors. Barbara Howe left the next year and Wayne, Jane and Harry ran the District in 1983. Barbara, I believe, works for the City of VB and lives near Pembroke. Wayne and Jane are still around living in Redmill and Wayne runs Boaters World at Hilltop. Wayne and Jane left in 1984 and Paul West came in. Paul and Harry ran the District from 1982-1990.
90s and beyond: Harry became the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director in 1991 and Paul ran the District until Pat Clark took it over in 1993. Paul West lives in Jacksonville Beach. Pat Clark ran the District from 1993 until her death in 2004.
A special note needs to be made in regards to Pat due to her longevity and her dedication to this District, even to her last days. Pat refused to leave this Earth until she knew the District was in safe and capable hands. One of the last things Pat did was ask Luanne Moye to step up as Director.
Lu delivered and has done so since 2004. Lu made it the Dream Team in very early 2007 when Bud Easton became Co-Director. Many of those involved with ESA over the years have much love and respect for Pat Clark and remember her with great fondness. And, now, with Lu and Bud at the helm, the Virginia District is The Best Damn ESA District, Period.
Last Update: Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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