Great Contest Surf!

by Mr Christian on June 2, 2009

Finalists include (left to right) John Basile, Jarrett Parker, Sarah Parker, Ana Barend, Katie Ryan, and Chuck Barend. ESA photo

On The Edge|By Peter Pan

In a similar scenario to the previously scheduled ESA contest in Newport, officials saw better potential at First Beach rather than Narragansett this past weekend, and switched locations. With a weak swell hitting the town beach and a solid waist to chest high swell on the Newport side the call was made on Friday night. It turned out to be the right call again as local competitors found perfect left and right peelers with lots of room for some hot, high point scoring moves on the open faces.

As has been the case in the past few events the Open Division featured showcase surfing from local area riders. In another close thriller, Chuck Barend edged out John Basile for the title with a right hander that held up for over one dozen hard cutbacks and lip smacks. Basile made a good case with a super backside 360’ that landed cleanly and awed the spectators. He could not find that valuable second wave and the points needed to top Barend. Ron Belanger got two solid left walls that sectioned and reeled off for several high point moves and a 3rd place. ESA All-Star Ana Barend could not find the better peaks, and had to settle for a 4th place in the final.

As has been the case in recent years, the women have made the big impression at ESA events. As the female surfing population has increased so has the competition level. This is especially evident in New England where some of the best female surfers on the east coast now reside. Sarah (Lim)Parker continued her unbeaten streak, as she nailed down one super left peak and worked it to the inside shore break to top Katie Ryan for the women’s division title.

Ana Barend is yet to be beaten by any female on the entire east coast as she ripped a few right handers and blew off the top of one perfect peak to top Nantucket’s top rider Melanie Kotalac for the Senior Women’s crown. She continued her tear with another win in the Senior Women’s Longboard final heat.

In the Girls final, Mya Kotalac found one good left peak and took the victory. Courtney Sutherland moved up into the Junior Women’s ranks and continued her unbeaten streak with another win. In the Women’s Longboard final heat, it was Sarah Parker topping Katie Ryan for her second title of the day with a long left wall that sectioned perfectly.

There was plenty of hot surfing in the male events as well. John Basile showed he will be a contender at the Northeast ESA Regional Surf-Offs this coming season, with some radical backside entries and 360’s in his arsenal. Basile won the Men’s title for the second straight contest. Newcomer Zack Mayo displayed some smooth nose riding moves to win the Men’s Longboard final, while Chuck Barend’s super nose ride on his second wave, clinched the Master Longboard crown.

In the junior ranks, Cob Ingalls was outstanding, taking both the Boys and Menehune titles with some nice wave choices and high point rides. Pat Redmond continues to terrorize the bodyboarding ranks, as this year’s 3rd place finisher at the recent regional championships won the title with one super hot “el rollo.”

Prizes were donated by Ergo Clothing, Beyond Coastal Sun tanning lotion and JC Surfboards. All finalists received merchandise products from all three companies.

The ESA contest season continues this coming weekend with the 11th Annual New England Longboard Classic Championships. This contest is slated for Nantasket, Massachusetts on Sunday June 7th. There will be rated ESA competition in all age groups. For more information, contact ESA meet director, Chick Frodigh at tourmentor12@hotmail.com.

Final Results of ESA Early Summer Championships

Boys 
1.Cob Ingalls

Men
1.John Basile

Senior Men
1.Chuck Barend
2.Ron Belanger
3.Scott Sutherland

Girls
1.Mya Kotalac

Junior Women
1.Courtney Sutherland

Women
1.Sarah Parker
2.Katie Ryan

Senior Women
1.Ana Barend
2.Melanie Kotalac

Men Longboard
1.Zack Mayo

Master Longboard
1.Chuck Barend
2.Ron Belanger
3.Mike Esordi
4.Jarrett Parker
5.Scott Sutherland

Menehune Longboard
1.Cob Ingalls
2.Mya Kotalac

Women Longboard
1.Sarah Parker
2.Katie Ryan
3.Courtney Sutherland

Senior Women Longboard
1.Ana Barend
2.Melanie Kotalac

Open Bodyboard
1.Pat Redmond
2.Katie Ryan

Open
1.Chuck Barend
2.John Basile
3.Ron Belanger
4.Ana Barend
5.Sarah Parker
6.Jarrett Parker
7.Katie Ryan