The Battle of the Blades at Topsail Island, NC will be held March 27th (with additional day March 28th).  Below is the Active.com entry link.  One entry fee of 45 dollars and you can select as many classes as you like (provided you meet the age and gender requirements )  Again we are including SUPers and there will be a waveski/SOT class as well.

http://www.active.com/outdoors/surf-city-nc/battle-of-the-blades-2010

This event will count as a team trial qualifyer.

http://eskasurf.com

These events will be used as part of the selection process for the 2011 US East Surf Kayak Team, and we will be offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories at all events when possible.

Our tentative plan for 2010 is as follows, dates TBD:

February 2010:
Jacksonville, Florida Event at Hannah Park

March 2010:
Charleston, South Carolina Event at Folly Beach

May 2010:
Topsail Island, North Carolina Event

September 2010:
The 2010 US National Surf Kayak Championships and Battle for Hatteras:
Once again the US National Surf Kayak Championships return to the east coast.  With the World Championships occurring on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in fall of 2011, we plan on holding the 2010 Nationals in the same location, in order to test some systems, and do a bit of a “dress rehearsal” for the Worlds.

In addition, we will be running the much postponed Battle for Hatteras team event in conjunction with the 2010 US National Surf Kayak Championships.  The Battle for Hatteras will feature teams of three (one HP kayak, one IC kayak, and one waveski) facing off against each other.

The 2010 National Surf Kayak Championships and Battle for Hatteras will occur over a four day period, likely in early September.  Though this is a “US” event, we would like to extend the invitation to surf kayakers all over the world to come participate in the Nationals and the Battle for Hatteras.

October 2010:
Topsail Island, North Carolina Event

November 2010:
New Smyrna, Florida Event

There may be more events added to this list in the near future.  Dates will be set in the coming months, and we will also have some other exciting news to announce soon.

We are also planning on holding 6-8 events during the 2011 lead up to the World Surf Kayak Championships.

More info soon.  Check back at http://eskasurf.com

We will be launching a specific website for the event in the coming weeks.  Please stay tuned for more info.

View the official announcement at Kayaksurf.net (Thanks Luis for all of your help and support!)

US East Placed 8th out of the 12 full teams competing at this year’s event.

US East Team Captain Anthony Bell proudly displays our 8th Place Trophy. Yes, they gave trophies, not only up to 8th place, but all the way through 12th. Everyone was a winner.

US East had three individual World Medalist this year whom we are very proud of.
Lindsay Usher placed 3rd in Women’s Long Boat
Russ Buskirk placed 3rd in Grand Masters Short Boat
Tom May placed 4th in Grand Masters Short Boat

CONGRATS GUYS!

US East 2009 World Medalists (left to right) Russ Buskirk 3rd Place Grand Masters Short Boat, Lindsay Usher 3rd Place Womens Long Boat, Tom May 4th Place Grand Masters Short Boat

Team England took top honors placing 1st in the team event at this World Championships. Here they receive their trophy below a moonlit eve just before everyone jumped into the pool.

The Basque enthusiastically receiving their 2nd Place Trophie.

The US East has put a bid in for the 2011 World Championships.  Other countries placing bids included Australia.  The location of the 2011 event is to be announced within the next couple months as the WSKA (World Surf Kayaking Organization) is currently busy making the decision.  Visit here at a later date to find out where the next event will be held.

Thank you to all the friends, family and sponsors of our team and team members for following the ESKA site to monitor our progress during the World Championships.  Portugal was unquestionably an excellent experience for us all.

The US East Surf Kayak Team may very well see you in the lineup when the next swell hits our beaches.

Finals were held on a wet morning, Saturday, August 1st. - Photo: Effort.tv

Russ Buskirk of Folly Beach SC took 3rd place, bronze medal, in Grand Masters (50 and over) short boat (hp).  A very devoted surf kayaker, Russ has been paddling and surfing very well this year and proudly earned this position.

Russ Buskirk with game face before his Grand Masters HP Finals heat. Russ placed 3rd. His secret is the mustache. - Photo: Effort.tv

Lindsay Usher from the Outer Banks NC has placed 3rd taking the bronze medal for the US East in the Women’s Long Boat (ic) Class.  A bit of a bummer for her personally considering that she dominated her competition leading all the way up to finals.  Nonetheless, the team and country are very proud of her.

Tom May of New Smyrna Beach FL placed 4th in Grand Masters (50 and over) short boat (hp).  Tom “May” get an aluminum medal or perhaps wood, we’re not sure.  Actually we don’t know if they give medals for 4th.  Regardless, Tom surfed very well throughout the contest and gave the US East Team access to his invaluable surf wisdom.  40 years of surfing pays off.

Tom May and Lindsay Usher from the US East before their final heats. They placed 4th and 3rd in their respective classes, Grand Masters HP and Women's Long Boat (ic). - Photo: Effort.tv

Full event results may be seen at http://kayaksurf.net/news.html

To summarize this event, boundaries were broken, the ante was upped, the sport was perhaps even “pushed forward.”  Come back soon for more news from the ESKA and the US East Surf Kayak Team.

Enjoy some more photos from the Finals by Effort.tv

US East Team Members in uniform peer out over the break at Santa Rita. - photo Effort.tv

The US East Surf Kayak Team 2009 - (Left to Right) Joey Hall, Tom May, Charles Salters, Matt Lewis, Lindsay Usher, Paul Scrutton, Anthony Bell, Russ Buskirk, Spencer Cooke, Andy Gates - photo Effort.tv

We have some news today from the US East Surf Kayak Team, reporting from the 2009 World Surf Kayak Championships in Santa Cruz Portugal. First, the conditions today were very big and heavy.  This means there were more blown decks, some broken boats, and several swims.  Comes with the territory.

Our final team standing was 8th place, a bit lower than any of us would have liked, but we gave it all our efforts. Our team has enjoyed surfing here and experienced an incredible level of competition.

Here is a status of individual competition standings: 3 in finals, 1 more pending

Women’s IC (long boat)
Lindsay Usher has placed 1st in the semifinal heat and advanced to the finals.  She will compete against three other women in tomorrow’s championship heat.

Grand Masters (50 and over) HP (short boat)
Tom May and Russ Buskirk have both advanced to the finals and will compete in the championship heat.

Men’s IC (long boat)
Anthony Bell has placed 2nd in one of the quarterfinal rounds advancing to the next round.
Joey Hall and Charles Salters were eliminated in today’s competition.

Men’s HP (short boat)
Anthony Bell, Joey Hall and Russ Buskirk were all three eliminated from the quarterfinal round today.

South competition site in the AM, before quarterfinal elimination heats. - photo Effort.tv

Meditation before competition. - photo Effort.tv

Anthony Bell offers a nervous smile before long boat (IC) quarter-finals. - photo Effort.tv

Margot & Tom May hanging with Anthony Bell, our brave captain. - Photo by Effort.tv

World competitors all in a row. - Photo by Effort.tv

Here’s how things stand currently… “the situation…”

HP Mens Individual Preliminary Round
Joey Hall – 1st Place advance to next round
Tom May – 3rd Place eliminated
Spencer Cooke – 3rd Place eliminated
Anthony Bell – 1st Place advance to next round
Russ Buskirk – 2nd Place advance to next round

Masters (40 and over) HP Prelim
Paul Scrutton – 2nd Place advance to next round

Masters (40 and over) IC Prelim
Charles Salters – 1st place (? pretty sure but could have been 2nd, don’t think so though) he did advance to next round

Womens HP Quarter Finals
Lindsay Usher – 3rd Place eliminated

Womens IC Quarter Finals
Lindsay Usher – 1st Place advance to semi-final

Team placement is to be announced.  By the numbers it doesn’t look like it is possible for us to make the top 4 for the finals so we will likely fall somewhere between 5-8th place.  Not certain on this but seems likely.  Nonetheless we were pleased to advance to the next round and thank all of the other countries, especially our hospitable hosts here in Portugal, for the amazing and friendly competition.

Russ Buskirk styles it in the Men's HP Division on a nice wave. - Photo by Effort.tv

This fly-by was really high compared to the first one. - photo Effort.tv

That is a large flag. The Portuguese may have "borrowed" this from their Capital building. - Photo by Effort.tv

Surf Wizard, Tom May, shows that wave who's boss in the Grand Master's HP Division. - Photo by Effort.tv

This morning, game faces on, Anthony Bell and Russ Buskirk prepare for Team Competition in HP. - Photo by Effort.tv

Surf mellowed out a bit for this morning's competition, plus the high tide took somesize off of it. Anthony cuts back to the lovely pocket. - Photo by Effort.tv

Our IC Master, Paul Scrutton, either put on too much sunscreen, got a horrible case of poison ivy and has applied calmine lotion, or he got deloused. Either way he's okay now. A little itchy perhaps, but he'll survive. - Photo by Effort.tv

Carlisle Landell from the West Coast of Delaware prepares for his team heat. - Photo by Effort.tv

Teams meet at the Green judge's tower to get some news from the WSKA officals. - Photo by Effort.tv

Youngster, David Speller, from Jersey and the Channel Islands makes the most of a high-tide righty.

Our competitors heading out for the HP Individual Preliminary Round. - Photo by Effort.tv

WSKA, maybe you've heard of them? Their new album is out next month. - Photo by Effort.tv

Jim Grossman from the West Coast US Team also works at Home Depot (notice back brace). Jim, can we get a pound of 16 penny nails and a couple 2x4's when you get a second? - Photo by Effort.tv

Come back soon for more results and coverage of the 2009 Surf Kayak World Championships and news from the US East Coast Team.

Apparently you can see a live score and video feed of the event at this link

http://www.santacruzoceanspirit.org/OS_LIVETV.html

Charles Salters – 1st Place IC – advance to next round
Spencer Cooke – 3rd Place IC – eliminated
Andy Gates – 4th Place IC – eliminated
Anthony Bell – 1st Place IC – advance to next round
Joey Hall – 1st Place IC – advance to next round
Lindsay Usher – 1st Place IC – advance to next round
Matt Lewis – 3rd Place Mens HP Qualifier – eliminated
Tom May – - 1st Place Mens HP Qualifier – advance to next round

Tomorrow morning HP individual preliminary rounds begin, 35 heats strong of Men, Women and Juniors.  Additionally the surf is forecast to pick up to 8 feet, potentially huge.  We’ll see what mother ocean tosses our way.

Charles Salters hikes down the beach to warm up for heat #1 this AM. - Photo Effort.tv

The wind didn’t chop up the conditions until late morning so half of our team got to surf decent waves.  The other half, not so much, but we fared pretty well nonetheless.

Team USA East stakes their claim on the beach. - Photo Effort.tv

Our camaraderie and team morale continue to be strong, something that was established by the past US East teams.  This is a great group of people and truly talented surfers and paddlers to be involved with.

"Coach" Tom May surfs one in after winning his third heat in a row. - Photo Effort.tv

Andy Gates carries our flag to the opening ceremony. - photo Effort.tv

Today 5 of our 10 team members surfed and advanced.  This is individual competition only, as the team event does not occur until next week.  Here are today’s results for USAEast:
(first heat of the event) Tom May – Men’s HP – 1st Place, advance to next round
Matt Lewis – Men’s HP – 2nd Place, advance to next round
Paul Scrutton – Masters HP (40 and over) – 2nd Place, advance to next round
Tom May – Grand Master’s HP – 1st Place, advance to next round
Russ Buskirk – Grand Master’s HP – 1st Place, advance to next round
Lindsay Usher – Women’s HP – 2nd Place, advance to next round

Expect Men’s IC and HP along with more of the aforementioned to occur tomorrow.  Enjoy some more photos.

Margot May and Anthony Bell prepare a spaghetti feast for the team. - photo Effort.tv

The US East castle. Though, Anthony will not let down his flowing locks to let any other teams up. - photo Effort.tv

Russ claimed our beach spot this morning. This land is our land, but not really. Just like 10 square feet and only for a couple hours. - photo Effort.tv

The Judge's Stand - photo Effort.tv

An example of a heat sheet - Photo Effort.tv

A veteran surfer from the New Smyrna Beach FL region, Tom has the perfect eye regarding surf. He is our beach coach, telling us where we need to be for the best waves. - photo Effort.tv

Tom May, our eldest and wisest surfer and team member. It must be the hat. - photo Effort.tv

Anthony and Matt meet Tom after a tough but excellent heat. This was actually the kick-off heat for the 2009 Worlds and Tom won it! - photo Effort.tv

Team Captain, Anthony Bell helps Matt into his boat for round 1 of mens HP. - Photo Effort.tv