News

Matt Pruett Joins the Advisory Council
Noted Surf Journalist Joins East Coast Team

COCOA BEACH, FL, March 20, 2026 – The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce Matt Pruett has joined the Advisory Council.  Pruett joins a group of experienced surfers – including Mike May, Michael Baytoff, Pete Dooley, Pam Hill, Hunter Joslin, Mitch Kaufman and others – who provide strategic guidance and outside perspective to help the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors make better decisions.  In Pruett’s role, he will help build greater awareness of the rich history of current and future East Coast Surfing Hall of Famers.

Pruett is arguably the East Coast’s preeminent surf journalist, dedicating the last 30 years to the culture.  His surfing began on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and years later his interest in surf journalism and his education in creative writing led him to Eastern Surf Magazine, where he rose through the ranks and eventually became Editor of the East Coast’s leading surf publication.  Pruett remained at the helm eight years focused on his East Coast roots after which he moved on to Surfline.com, the leading online surf media in the U.S., where he became East Coast Editor.  Pruett’s work has appeared in surf publications around the globe.  He has authored books, written scrips for surfing films and more.

“Getting inducted into the ECSHOF was the highlight of my career, a career largely defined by highlighting other people’s achievements,” remarked Pruett recently.  “I look forward to raiding my 30 years of files to research subsequent prospective inductees so they too can feel the pride and joy that I’ve felt.”

“Matt Pruett has long been one of the most respected voices in surf journalism, and we’re honored to welcome him to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Advisory Council,” said the President of the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, Gary Germain. “His deep knowledge of surf culture and storytelling, along with his passion for preserving surfing’s history, will be an invaluable asset as we continue to celebrate and document the legacy of East Coast surfing.”

Today, Pruett lives in South Nags Head where he surfs year ‘round and continues to build his lengthy resume – all about East Coast surfing and surfers

LG Shaw III Joins the Board of Directors
Second Generation Surf Brand Owner Becomes Newest Board Member

2026 Surf Expo Shape-Off Winners Announced
Charlie Bunger, New York’s Legendary Shaper, Honored

East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2026
While celebrating its 30th Anniversary, eleven category inductees and the Cecil Lear President’s Award recipient were honored

ASBURY PARK, NJ, January 13, 2026 – The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is proud to announce the Class of 2026 has been inducted during a ceremony held Thursday evening, January 8, 2026, in front of a large crowd at the Orange County Convention Center following a day of business at the 50th Anniversary Surf Expo Trade Show held in the same location.

The Class of 2026 were inducted in six categories through a rigorous four-step voting process, which began on September 1, 2024, with public submissions. Inductees are:

Also, inducted in the 30th Anniversary celebration was Mike Angiulo, selected by the Board of Directors to receive the prestigious Cecil Lear President’s Award (CLPA), 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.  Angiulo, a Montauk, Long Island, NY native, was a volunteer with the Eastern Surfing Association for 30 years, primarily as Legal Director.  He was also Executive Director of the sport’s National Governing Body, the USSF, for five years, including 1996 when the U.S. Team took Gold in the ISA World Surfing Games.  Surfing Magazine named Angiulo one of the “50 Surfers Who Are Changing Our Sport” on the cover of the November 1987 issue.

Following the ceremony, which included introductions, speeches and career highlight videos, the Hall of Fame’s president Gary Germain commented, “This Class of 2026 represents everything we celebrate about East Coast surfing – passion, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to the ocean and community.  I am incredibly excited and deeply honored to welcome this remarkable group of surfers whose achievements and character have shaped our coastline and culture.  Their contributions didn’t just advance the sport; they inspired generations and helped define what East Coast surfing is today.”

Hall of Fame Becomes Presenting Sponsor of Surf Expo’s Shape-Off
Charlie Bunger to be Honored At 2026 “Champions Challenge”

ASBURY PARK, NJ, December 29, 2025 – Following the recent addition of surfboard builder Ricky Carroll to its Board of Directors, the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce it has agreed to become the Presenting Sponsor of the Surf Expo Shape-Off, created by Scott Bass in San Diego, then introduced to the East Coast by Carroll in 2008.  The Shape-Off is held annually during Surf Expo with the 2026 edition to take place during the 50th Anniversary trade show, January 7-9 at the Orlando Convention Center.

This year’s competition is billed the “Champions Challenge,” and will feature eight winners from previous editions of the Shape-Off, who will honor one of the all-time greats of East Coast surfboard building, Charlie Bunger.  Over three days, each shaper will work inside a portable shaping bay stationed on the trade show floor as show attendees look on.  After all boards are completed, a panel of judges, led by Carroll, will select the most accurate rendition of a Bunger design 1970s single fin swallowtail, and a cash prize purse and bragging rights will be awarded.

Charlie Bunger shaped his first surfboard in 1961 and built Bunger Surfboards into a Long Island, NY and East Coast powerhouse.  He was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in its inaugural Class of 1996 and the International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame in 2013.  Bunger continued to shape and manage his business until late in life, passing away in 2018, leaving his sons to continue the surfboard and retail operations.

“I am truly excited about the coming Surf Expo Shape-Off,” remarked Carroll recently, “as the man we are honoring is a true legend of East Coast surfing.  The invited shapers are highly skilled and successful craftsmen, which will make it very competitive, although a lot of fun, too.  I’m also happy the Hall of Fame has stepped up and funded our new Perpetual Trophy, which will carry the engraved names of all prior Shape-Off Champions and will be presented to the 2026 winner by East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame President Gary Germain.”

The eight invited shapers include:

Hall of Fame president Germain followed up, “Thanks to Ricky Carroll for his hard work and dedication producing the Shape-Off every year since 2008.  It proves that Ricky is an industry giant, dedicated to promoting surfboard brands and those who build them.  His mission with the Shape-Off is in perfect sync with the mission of the Hall of Fame – honoring the greats of East Coast Surfing.”

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East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026
Announces 30th Anniversary
11 Inductees and The Cecil Lear President’s Award Recipient Announced

ASBURY PARK, NJ, August 18, 2025 – The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that the voting has been completed and tallied, and the Class of 2026 can now be revealed.

The Class of 2026 will be inducted at a special 30th Anniversary celebration to take place during the January 2026 Surf Expo Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.  Inductees will include:

Surfer’s……..Todd Morcom, Florida; Dr. Lisa Carulli, Florida; Scott Duerr, New Jersey; Bryan Hewitson, Florida
Industry…….Tony Girodano, New Jersey
Media………..Matt Pruett, North Carolina
Culture………Drew Brophy, South Carolina
Legends……..Jay Reale, Maryland; Bernie Crouch, Florida
Pioneers……..Richard Price, Florida; Carl “Tinker” West, New Jersey

Additionally, the Cecil Lear President’s Award will be given to New York’s Mike Angiulo for his decades of dedication to Surfing and exhibiting extraordinary leadership throughout his career as legal counsel to the Eastern Surfing Association and Executive Director of the United States Surfing Federation.

“There’s no better event to launch the Hall of Fame’s 30th Anniversary Year than with an Induction Ceremony for these well deserving surfers, who represent exactly what the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is all about – honoring forever those individuals who have made significant contributions to East Coast Surfing,” said Hall of Fame President Gary Germain.  “Since 1996 when Cecil Lear held the Hall’s first induction ceremony, fulfilling the dream that Greg “Da Bull” Noll shared with Cecil the year before, the Hall of Fame has inducted 188 surfers into the institution. It will be an honor to present these 12 surfers with their awards in January.”

CJ Hobgood Joins the Board of Directors
World Champion Becomes the Newest Member of the Board

ASBURY PARK, NJ, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame has announced that 2001 WSL (ne ASP) World Champion CJ Hobgood has joined the Board of Directors.  Hobgood, who had numerous ESA and NSSA Championships under his belt before turning pro, is pleased to be giving back to the sport that gave so much to him.

“I love the sport of Surfing and the lifestyle it has provided for my family and me,” commented Hobgood during a recent call.  “With my post-pro surfing career well underway, now is the time for me to give back to the sport I love, and to East Coast Surfing, as it’s obviously in my blood.”

“The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is committed to strengthening our Board with individuals who bring both competitive experience and industry insight,” remarked president Gary Germain. “CJ Hobgood was a clear choice—his achievements in professional surfing, deep connection to the East Coast community, and dedication to preserving the sport’s history make him an invaluable addition. We look forward to his leadership and contributions as we continue advancing ECSHOF initiatives for years to come.”

As the 2001 ASP World Tour Champion, Hobgood is a member of an elite crew of professional World Champions from the East Coast that includes Frieda Zamba and Lisa Andersen, both East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Inductees, and Kelly Slater, who undoubtedly will one day be in the Hall of Fame.  Hobgood began his championship run winning the ESA’s Menehune Division in 1991 followed by the NSSA East Coast Men’s Champion in 1994, NSSA National Junior Champion in 1995, the 1997 NSSA East Coast Men’s Champion and the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games Champion.  He was a fearless aerial surfer and a big wave barrel rider at Pipeline, Cloudbreak and Teahupo’o.

Hobgood and twin brother Damien have held Camp Hobgood annually for rising pros in training.  He was a founding partner in Salty Crew apparel and owns a real estate practice in the Melbourne, Florida area.  CJ Hobgood was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in 2022.

Class of 2004 ECS Hall of Famer Pete Dooley Honored