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