News – East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame

2026 Surf Expo Shape-Off Winners Announced

2026 Surf Expo Shape-Off Winners Announced

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

ORLANDO, FL, January 23, 2026 – As Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Surf Expo Shape-Off, the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is proud to announce the winners of the annual surfboard shaping competition. This year’s event honored Charlie Bunger, who started shaping in 1961 on Long Island, New York. Throughout the following decades, Bunger Surfboards became one of the East Coast’s premiere surfboard brands. He was inducted into the ECSHOF in the inaugural Class of 1996 and into the International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame in 2017. Bunger passed away in 2018.

Each year at the January Surf Expo Trade Show, a select group of shapers are invited to participate in making a replica of a classic board designed and shaped by a master. This year’s group of eight previous Shape-Off winners were challenged to replicate Bunger’s popular single fin swallow tail from the late 1970s in the “Champions Challenge.”

Ricky Carroll, Shape-Off director and board member of the ECSHOF, Roy Turner, Surf Expo’s VP, and Gary Germain, ECSHOF President, proudly announced MATT CALVANI of Bing Surfboards as the 2026 “Champions Challenge” Surf Expo Shape-Off winner. In addition to a $2,000 check, Calvani’s name will be placed on the Perpetual Trophy recently donated by the ECSHOF. ALLEN WHITE of Allen White Surfboards was second, and JIM HANNAN of JH Shapes third.

“Surfers know that shapers are the heart and soul of the sport and industry,” commented Carroll following the event. “It has been my honor and a privilege to
support the shaping community with this event every year. All the replicas were outstanding, but we must pick the winners, and I believe our judges made the right call.”

Hall of Fame president Germain remarked, “We were excited to bring Ricky Carroll on the Board this past summer because his respect for the surfboard building community and his connection to the Shape-Off align with the Hall of Fame’s mission to honor the contributions individual surfers make to the sport. And, as a shaper myself, having the ECSHOF participating in this event as Presenting Sponsor is very special to me.”

Clockwise from top left: The Master, Charlie Bunger. Josh Peterson, Peterson Surfcraft; Finishing touches, Juan Rodriquez, One World Surfboards; Numbers 1, 2 and 3 along with Ricky Carroll and Roy Turner; Peterson comparing his shape to the Bunger original; Mike Whisnant, Whisnant Surfboards; The Champions Challenge Champ, Matt Calvani, Bing Surfboards; Carroll and ECSHOF President Germain.

Photos, same order: Tom Dugan / ESM, Dick “Mez” Meseroll / ESM, Mez, Bruce Chrisner, Mez, Mez, Chrisner, Chrisner

eastcoastsurf2026-01-23T05:26:37+00:00

ECSHOF Inducts Class of 2026

ECSHOF Inducts Class of 2026

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:

Culture — Drew Brophy, South Carolina

Industry —Tony Giordano, New Jersey

Media ——Matt Pruett, North Carolina

Legends – Jay Reale, Maryland; Bernie Crouch, Florida

Pioneers—Rich Price, Florida; Carl “Tinker” West, New Jersey

Surfers——Dr. Lisa Carulli, Florida; Scott Duerr, New Jersey; Todd Morcom, Florida; Bryan Hewitson, Florida.

The Class of 2026. L-R: Bernie Crouch, Legend; Bryan Hewitson, Surfer; Scott Duerr, Surfer; Mike Angiulo, CLPA; Rich Price, Pioneer; Dr. Lisa Carulli, Surfer; Matt Pruett, Media: Drew Brophy, Culture; Tony Giordano, Industry; Gary Germain, ECSHOF President; Jay Reale, Legend; Todd Morcom, Surfer; Hunter Joslin, emcee. Missing: Rick Barry, who accepted for Carl “Tinker” West (d), Pioneer. Photo: Bruce Chrisner

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.

Class of 2026-MikeAnguiolo-GaryGermain-Induction Ceremony-1.8.26-MikeVuocolo_

Mike Angiulo, left, was awarded the prestigious Cecil Lear President’s Award by the Hall of Fame’s president Gary Germain, right. The award is given by the Board of Directors to a single individual who made a lasting contribution to East Coast surfing in leadership or mentoring. Angiulo spent 30 years volunteering for the Eastern Surfing Association and U.S. Surfing Federation. Photo: Mike Vuocolo

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.”

eastcoastsurf2026-01-15T15:16:44+00:00

ECSHOF Presents Surf Expo’s 2026 Shape-Off

ECSHOF Presents Surf Expo’s 2026 Shape-Off

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.”

For more information, visit

2026 Surf Expo Shape-Off

eastcoastsurf2026-01-03T02:34:28+00:00

Class of 2026 Announced

Class of 2026 Announced

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.”

Future Hall of Famers, L-R, Top-to-Bottom: Todd Morcom, Jay Reale, Dr. Lisa Carulli, Matt Pruett, Scott Duerr, Bernie Crouch, Rich Price, Drew Brophy, Bryan Hewitson, Tony Giordano, Tinker West, Mike Angiulo. Photos: Baytoff, Brisick, Dugan/ESM, Lugo, Mez/ESM, Angiulo Family

eastcoastsurf2025-11-06T17:52:11+00:00

Cj Hobgood Joins the Board of Directors

Cj Hobgood Joins the Board of Directors

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.

eastcoastsurf2025-03-25T23:29:12+00:00

SURF EXPO, JANUARY 2025

SURF EXPO, JANUARY 2025

Class of 2004 ECS Hall of Famer Pete Dooley Honored

The 2025 Florida Shape-Off was hosted by Surf Expo and produced by ECS Hall of Famer Ricky Carroll (kneeling, front), honoring Hall of Famer Pete Dooley (sitting). Invited shapers included Bob Rohmann, Allen White, Greg Loehr, Scott Busbey, Tommy Maus and Chris Birch.

The Florida Shape-Off, under the watchful eyes of organizer Ricky Carroll, takes place every year at the January Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida. The Shape-Off promotes the art and craft of hand-shaping surfboards by honoring one shaper and one model surfboard made popular by that shaper, by inviting a half dozen other prominent shapers to recreate the honoree’s masterpiece, The shaped replica deemed closest to the original is declared the winner.

For 2025, Pete Dooley was chosen to be honored. Pete, as many know, was the co-founder and frontman of Natural Art Surfboards, who, along with partner Scott Busbey and NA shaper Greg Loehr, built Natural Art into the most prominent East Coast board builder in the history of surfing, and a global leader in wave riding equipment.

Invited to compete in the Shape-Off were Busbey, Loehr, Florida’s Bob Rohmann, Tommy Maus and Chris Birch, and Virginia’s Allen White. White, who has competed in previous Shape-Offs at Surf Expo, finally took home the first place prize and $2,000 as his replica was declared the winning board.

The 2025 Florida Shape-Off honoring Pete Dooley was also a time for many friends from up and down the East Coast to spend time with the man who has earned respect from all and is a dear friend to many.

Photos by: John Hughes, Mike Vuocolo, and Tom Warnke.

eastcoastsurf2025-01-28T22:30:45+00:00

2024 Olympic Gold

2024 Olympic Gold

Caroline Marks Wins Gold

East Coasters Celebrate the Floridian’s Victory at Teahupo’o

Surfers on the East Coast were jubiliant when Floridian Caroline Marks won the Gold Medal on Monday, August 5 in the Paris 2024 Olympic Surfing at Teahupo’o, Tahiti. “Dreams come true,” remarked the Gold Medalist shortly after her victory over Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb in a tight final that came down to the Brazilian’s last wave and a score that was posted after the clock had run out on the Final.

It has been an amazing year for the Floridian surfer, who spends much of her time in San Clemente, California these days, where she surfs regularly at Lower Trestles and is near her primary sponsor, ROXY. After taking a year off from competitive surfing following the completion of the 2022 WSL World Championship Tour in order to travel, film and focus on enjoying free surfing, Marks roared back on tour winning the 2023 WSL Finals at Lowers. As the reigning World Pro Champion, she earned a spot onto the USA Surf Team for Paris 2024, where her performance throughout the event was golden.

Photos, clockwise, top left: ISA / Beatriz Ryder, ISA / Pablo Jimenez, @usasurfing, @Caroline_markss.

eastcoastsurf2024-11-26T17:51:02+00:00

Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony

Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony

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

eastcoastsurf2024-08-29T18:10:28+00:00

ESA Honors Co-Founder Cecil Lear

ESA Honors Co-Founder Cecil Lear

ESA Honors Co-Founder Cecil Lear at the Eastern Surfing Championships

Words by Kathy Phillips, former ESA Executive Director

All photos Mez / ESM / @mezapixels unless noted

Mary Lou Lear pondering a wonderful and long life with her husband. Photo: Michael Weiss, Cecil and Mary Lou’s great-grandson.

The many dried and browning leis draped across Mary Lou Lear’s dresser mirror attest to the incredible outpouring of East Coast love and respect given to her husband, Cecil Lear, co-founder of the ESA and ECSHOF, who recently passed away at a fulfilling age of 91 years.

The Eastern Surfing Association paid its respects to Cecil on September 19th during the 2022 EASTERNS held at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head NC, hosting a beautiful sunset paddle out ceremony and a celebration of his incredibly fulfilling life.

Site of the 2022 Easterns and the paddle out honoring ESA co-founder, Cecil Lear.

Gary Germain and South Jersey’s Joe Grottola led the paddle out ceremony as over 60 paddlers formed a circle just outside the lineup and said farewell in traditional Hawaiian style while four generations of the Lear family (bedecked in authentic orchid leis direct from Hawaii) and hundreds more watched emotionally from the beach and the pier.

Family and friends In a traditional Hawai’ian circle for a dear friend who has passed.

Mary Lou Lear surrounded by her daughters and family members at the post paddle-out celebration.

The reception was held upstairs in the spacious second story Jennette’s Pier Oceanview Hall with panoramic windows where everyone was watching for traces of the anxiously awaited Hurricane Fiona swell.

The hall was crowded with members of the East Coast community from far and wide, young and old, famous, not famous, and even a few infamous, who came to pay their respects to Mary Lou and the family. Everyone sat in the darkened room to watch the short but significant video of Cecil’s life curated by Luda Ronky Captures letting out cheers, laughs, tears and hoots as appropriate.

Off on the side of the room stood an oversized brushed metal plaque complete with a classic surf photo of a young, handsome Cecil surrounded by a wide blank space, and a stack of Sharpies nearby.

Mary Lou Lear and family.

That so many signed it was not in itself remarkable, but rather the messages were less about acknowledging a Legend and instead simply referring to Cecil as a greatly missed friend.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening was legendary surf photographer Dick Meseroll’s recorded tribute in the video that had the room cheering. He said “If you met Cecil Lear, you had a friend for life.”

Mary Lou Lear and daughters along with Ricky Carroll, a long-time friend, ESA competitor and surfboard shaper.

The beautiful North Carolina surf from Hurricane Fiona came just in time to honor the ESA co-founder.

ESA Executive Director Michelle Sommers, who organized the paddle out and the video of Cecil’s life, along with Mary Lou and East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame president Gary Germain.

eastcoastsurf2024-08-29T03:40:50+00:00

Cecil Lear Paddle Out

Cecil Lear Paddle Out

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Cecil’s Beach, Belmar NJ

“There will never be another Cecil”

5.21.2022 – Belmar, New Jersey…..a tight-knit, local seaside community, hardcore surf culture and history, extreme surf conditions, locals tight-lipped about the best breaks when its goin off, and home to some of the best pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches on earth.

As a thick early morning veil of fog is melted off by the scorching sun, pale tourists walk towards the beach to stake their space in the sand. Groups of surfers, locals, media, and out-of-towners gather near the 17th Street beach entrance. Traffic is becoming exhaustive and the town is filling up faster than the hot sun can make you squint. Yet through all this summer-like chaos, heat, confusion, fun and laughter, there’s this gate that has a sign on it, in capital letters…NOT LOCALS ONLY. A person’s face peers out with a broad, friendly smile…it’s Cecil, Cecil Lear, welcoming everyone in to his home town, his local turf, his beach, his home, his Rock…..as only Cecil would. Unbeknownst to many, other than Cecil’s wife Mary Lou Lear, almost to this day, 69 years ago, along this very boardwalk, in this same spot, Cecil met Mary Lou for the very first time. Now Mary Lou Lear, with her family, friends, and all near and dear to her and Cecil, come together to pay tribute to Cecil’s life and his contributions to the town of Belmar and to the entire surfing community.

Feeling emotional, with many words not needed, as his actions do speak for themselves, Don Tarrant stands quietly in front of his shop, surveying the local crowd as it grows, softly speaking to friends and taking it all in. Don, owner of Eastern Lines Surf Shop, is the coordinator of this event. Eastern Lines Surf Shop became Cecil’s local shop where he would hang out and talk surf stories; it’s where much of Cecil’s memorabilia currently hangs.

Then, without any hesitation, Don starts off heading to the beach, leading a flock of surfers – smiling young groms, ripped 20-30 yr olds, mid-aged males and females, and old bald headed surf gurus. It is Jersey hot, the ocean is Jersey cold….onto the boardwalk then the beach, but first to listen to words from wise men and women who knew and loved Cecil. Harry Harsin, Chief of Belmar Lifeguards, speaks of Cecil and his contribution to the patrol. Cecil was a Belmar lifeguard for over 20 years. Dr. Bill Rosenblatt, a near and dear friend to Cecil, speaks of all the lives that Cecil touched, and how it affected them. Frank Keuma, of Hawaii, stands tall in front of the crowd and tells stories of early days with Cecil, and how at a young age, being homeless, Cecil took him in after befriending him on the beach. He then offers a prayer for Cecil. Mary Lou Lear speaks with soft loving words in front of the crowd….. holding back tears, while expressing deep thanks to all.

Cecil and Mary Lou’s three daughters, Nancy, Jeannie, and Sue, are in attendance. Mary Lou Lear, “This is all just so wonderful. Cecil is truly smiling down on us today.” To top all the speeches and as a surprise to all in attendance, the Mayor of Belmar, speaking of his personal relationship with Cecil, speaking of all of Cecil’s contributions to the Belmar community, and how without Cecil’s prodding, he may never have even become a Belmar resident, declared and proclaimed thru his office, that May 21st will forever be known as Cecil Lear Day in Belmar, New Jersey.

Speeches, tears, smiles and laughter all die down, but the sun gets hotter and hotter…..surfers pull on their baked rubber fullsuits in the midday sun, then scramble like ants to sugar as they jump on their boards into the chilled Jersey surf….paddling 100 yards into the Atlantic to pay final respects to an icon, an innovator, a historian, a friend, a father and a loving husband who was graciously shared by his wife to the entire surfing world.

As ESA South Jersey Director Lisa Roselli said, “Cecil’s family had to share him with all of us. That’s not easy. Loved the dude,….Cecil and Mary Lou. I couldn’t speak out there, I would have just cried.” Gary Germain, former competitive ESA surfer and current president of The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, “Cecil enabled surfing to be better in every way, shape and form, not only on the East Coast, but all over the world.” Brian Heritage, president of The New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame, remarks on the words spoken during the paddleout, “Words were spoken of how Cecil was always giving and guiding to all of us, especially the younger up and coming crew. That Cecil so wanted to get rid of the stigma surrounding surfers and have them treated as world class athletes as they are.”

Speaking to many surfers in attendance, from Jersey and afar, the theme is the same, Cecil took the time and the effort to care, make them feel comfortable, to help them understand what being a surfer means, and how to respectfully represent, not just in the present, but more importantly for and in the future….in surfing and in life.

As Don Tarrant slowly walks back to his beachfront shop, his brow beading with sweat, he pauses and reflects on the day, sighs a bit of relief, and quietly yet emphatically says, “There will never be another Cecil.”

Words and photos by Michael Baytoff

eastcoastsurf2024-08-29T03:39:47+00:00