Perfect Surf for Longboard Classic

by Mr Christian on July 6, 2009

Menehune Finalists

On The Edge|Peter Pan

Meet Director Chick Frodigh could not have asked for better conditions when he pulled up to the beach at Nantasket on Sunday morning. The surf was perfect for long boarding. Glassy 1-3 foot waves were peeling in both directions and the swell was strong. “This is the best surf we have had in five years,” he declared. “And I am sure that the surfing will be as good as the waves.” Those words proved to be correct, as the level of competition was as good a quality as the surf. Every division was strongly contested and the competition area was so spread out that surfers could choose both right and left walls to rip on.

Some of the hottest surfing of the day came in the Junior Men’s Final when local ESA star Luke Ryan edged out his brother John for the title. While both were trimming and carving through the sections, it was Luke’s last hot nose ride across a feathering right wall that locked up the title for him.

The always impressive Naoto Ohashi showed off some very impressive footwork and long trims, to dominate the Master’s Final, while Ryan Flynn worked over a couple of perfect lefts in the last two minutes to move into the second place position. Top ranked ESA star Jarrett Parker showed some nice switch foot and nose rides to take the tough Men’s Final heat over local Sean Doherty and Brian Atherton.

Shane Granigan caught the longest rides in the Boys Final, edging out Dean Walter for the win. Local hotdogger Tim O’Shea was red hot in the Senior Men’s Final heat, as he offered up a mixture of headstands, coffins, nose rides and 360’s, to walk away with the title. John Kotsonis looked sharp with some long left slides, to take second place, and Dennis Grenigan locked up 3rd with one long nose ride. Peter Pan took the Grandmaster Final with one switch foot-backside 360 and switch stance nose ride, over John Burns.

The female ranks displayed some great talent. Alexandra Kartsonis edged out the switch footing Katie Frodigh for the Girls crown with two long rides to the beach. ESA regional finalist and local star Katie Zullo displayed her championship ability, finding the right sections and working them for the win over Caroline Powers in the Junior Women’s Final.

Karen Conant found the longest rides of the heat to beat out Danielle Moran for the Senior Women’s crown while a red hot Rachel Rivers found the perfect nose trimming peak to take the Women’s title over ESA title holder Katie Ryan. The Ladies Final was the toughest to judge as Karen Alence just edged out Kitty Pechet for the title with one extra switch foot on an inside section.

Competitors were treated to the traditional after contest party at the Red Parrot Restaurant after the event, and awards were given out while food and drink was served. All events were fully rated for ESA long boarding competitors. The next rated ESA contest is scheduled for June 20th, at the Narragansett Town Beach.

Final Results of the 10th Annual
New England Longboard Classic
Surfing Championships

Girls
1.Alexandra Kartsonis
2.Katie Frodigh
3.Abigail Seaberg
4.Marissa Fitcher

Boys
1.Shane Granigan
2.Dean Walter
3.Cade Marsden
4.Matt Brennan

Junior Women
1.Katie Zullo
2.Caroline Powers
3.Rebecca Seaberg
4.Megan O’Shea

Junior Men
1.Luke Ryan
2.John Ryan
3.Chad Bruce
4.Charlie Frodigh

Women
1.Rachel Rivers
2.Katie Ryan
3.Sarah Parker
4.April Kozowyk

Men
1.Jarrett Parker
2.Sean Doherty
3.Brian Atherton
4.Tom O’Brien

Senior Women
1.Karen Conant
2.Danielle Moran

Masters
1.Naoto Ohashi
2.Ryan Flynn
3.Andy Marsden
4.Jeff Alain

Senior Men
1.Tim O’Shea
2.John Kartsonis
3.Dennis Grenigan
4.Tim Hanson

Ladies
1.Karen Alence
2.Kitty Pechet
3.Gail Kotowski
4.Courtney Hayes

Grandmasters
1.Peter Pan
2.John Burns
3.Mike Robertson
4.Jay Abelli