Welcome to the inaugural surf column in the new Beach Gazette! Thanks for tuning in. A local beach paper without a surfing column just wouldn't be right.
It's the summer doldrums, and we're in the middle of one of the worst flat spells in many years. Despite that, we did have a nice little run of surf last week before going totally flat for the Fourth of July. It has always cracked me up to hear non-surfers or visitors from California talk about how flat the ocean is in Florida and that we never get waves.
But in fact, during hurricane season, there are some years we get world-class surf, nonstop for weeks on end. That's what we live for.
Many people would be surprised by how relevant the Jacksonville Beach surfing community is on a global scale. That relevance goes back to 1966, when Bruce Clelland and Larry Miniard represented North Florida at the world championships in Southern California. They competed again the following year in Puerto Rico, and in 1970 were joined by Dick Rosborough and Joe Roland at the world contest in Australia.
In 1975, 14-year-old Erik Lundgren won the Florida State Surfing Championships, the East Coast Surfing Championships and the United States Surfing Championships, all within a few weeks. Just a few years later, he was considered one of the best guitarists in the world, a career that continues today.
Countless colorful characters throughout the decades have made the Jacksonville Beach surf scene legendary around the world.
The Wavemasters Pro-Am, held in conjunction with Neptune Baptist's King of the Hill contest, will celebrate its 43rd annual event the first weekend in October. This event not only allows our local competitors to showcase their talent, but it also launches pro careers and raises thousands of dollars for local charities. This year's beneficiaries are BEAM and Mission House.
Other fun events on the roster include the Jax Board Riders, which pits teams from towns spanning Fernandina to South Florida, each fielding four surfers across six age categories in a one-day format. After a series of events throughout the season, the top four teams are invited to compete in California against top teams from other regions for a national title, then in Australia for a chance at a world championship. Learn more at floridaboardriders.com.
The best kind of surf event is when the organizers make it a fun day at the beach, despite the fierce competition in the water. No contest fits that bill like the recently created Thompson Brothers Classic. Designed as a fundraiser for cancer and sponsored by Sunrise Surf Shop, this event was created by our top three pros, Cody, Evan and Tristan Thompson. Their oldest brother, Trey, is a cancer survivor, and this is just another way to give back to the community.
The Jacksonville Beach surf community is rich with history and talent, and the Beach Gazette is where you'll find out all about it. So stay tuned!
