East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2024

Ten Category Inductees and the Cecil Lear President’s Award Recipient Celebrated

The Class of 2024. Back row, l-r: David Speir, Kem McNair, Darrell Jones, Roy Turner, ECSHOF President Gary Germain, Ricky Carroll, Tom Warnke, MC Hunter Joslin. Front row, l-r: Falina Spires, Bill “Holmesy” Holmes, Noah Snyder, Mark Neustadter and Baron Knowlton.
Duke replica board shaped by craftsman Bill Simon, donated to the ECSHOF by Mike Miggs.

SURF EXPO, Orlando, Florida, Thursday, January 11, 2024 – The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Class of 2024 has been inducted during a gala ceremony held Wednesday evening, January 10, 2024, in front of a full house at the Orange County Convention Center following a day of business at the Surf Expo Trade Show held in the same location.

The Class of 2024 were inducted in five categories through a rigorous four-step process, which began on December 1, 2022 with public application submissions, and includes:

Culture—-Tom Warnke, Florida

Industry—Mark Neustadter, New Jersey

Media –– Darrell Jones, Florida

Legends—Ricky Carroll, Florida; Bill “Holmesy” Holmes, Florida; Kem McNair, Florida

Surfers—–Falina Spires, Florida; Baron Knowlton, Florida; Noah Snyder, North Carolina; David Speir, Florida

Also Inducted in the biennial ceremony was Roy Turner, who was selected by the Board of Directors to receive the prestigious Cecil Lear President’s Award, named to honor the Hall of Fame’s co-founder and 20-year President (1996-2016).

The CLPA is awarded to an individual who made a lasting contribution to East Coast Surfing in leadership or mentoring.  Turner, Sr. Vice President and Show Director of Surf Expo, has been a supporter of the development and growth of East Coast Surfing – the sport and business – throughout his career, previously as a specialty surf retailer, professional surfing contest producer and president of the retailers’ trade association, and currently as surf industry trade show executive.

“It is an honor to be recognized by your peers with induction into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame,” commented ECSHOF President Gary Germain during the event after party.  “These 11 inductees in the Class of 2024 will always be remembered for their contributions to the sport on the Right Coast.  They join 177 Hall of Famers who have been inducted since 1996.”

Photos by: Michael Baytoff/Mike Vuocolo