Surfers and bodyboarders of all ages are slipping into their trunks and suits, and waxing down their boards once again, for another Delmarva District Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) event.
This Saturday, June 16, surfers and boarders from all over the East Coast will throw down in a war of the waves in Ocean City, Md., as Chauncey’s Surf Shop makes their debut as sponsors for ESA’s Surfabout.
Delmarva District ESA Director Art Baltrotsky anticipated an impressive turnout this Saturday.
“It’s always great to see everybody come out,” he said. “There are some really talented guys, and even whole families bring their boards out.”
Baltrotsky added that he anticipates anywhere from 150 to 200 contestants this weekend, doubling the entrants in the last Delmarva ESA competition, held June 2. That event, the Quiet Storm 2007 Delaware State Surfing Championship, saw competitors hailing from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and even a couple from Florida. They competed in four special open divisions, along with 21 regular surfing competition divisions.
The open group included shortboard, longboard, women’s and bodyboard competitions for all ages. Vince Boulanger of Ocean City took home the title of best shortboard rider, while Chris Makibbin, also of Ocean City, placed at the top in the longboard open competition. Emily Ruppert of Indialantic, Fla., had the top finishing score in the women’s open and Jacob Lahr of Berlin, Md., finished first in the bodyboard open competition.
Fenwick Island locals and brothers Caleb Buchler, 14, and Jake Buchler, 15, have turned their sibling rivalry into a family affair.
“It’s always pretty fun,” said Caleb Buchler, who placed first in the Boys’ Shortboard (12 to 14) division, first in the Menehune Bodyboard (boys/girls 14 and under) and second behind Lahr in open bodyboard at Quiet Storm’s competition earlier this month. “I just try to do my best. When I’m against some of the older guys, I try not to worry about it too much. I just focus on being the best on out there.”
“I’m hoping to get into the finals in all the events,” said Jake Buchler, who competes in short-, long- and bodyboarding competitions. A soccer tournament prevented him from competing against contestants on June 2, though he plans to compete this weekend. He’s no stranger to top-place finishes in these competitions, either, having won several events in past years. “I’m just hoping there will be some pretty good waves out there on Saturday.”
All entrants can check-in and register between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the morning of the competition, at 30th Street in Ocean City. There is an entry fee of $25 for the first division, and a $5 for each additional division in which riders wish to compete. For more information and registration form for the 2007 Chauncey’s Surfabout, visit www.delmarvaesa.org on the Internet or call the contest info line at 1-888-632-4742.