45 years old and the guy still has more style than most of the world. Curren winning the Clash of the Icons.
Is this it? I mean, is summer really over?
I know today is Labor Day and most people are off from work, unless of course, you work in the tourism industry, in which case you have those last boats to rent, drinks to mix, tables to bus, or surf lessons to give.
Most of us will be celebrating tonight, watching the parade of SUVs and minivans with boards stacked on the roof leaving our coastal towns. Personally, I'll probably be at the Quelle, sucking down a few cold clams and watching the New York and PA plates heading westward over the bridge and yelling, "see you on Memorial Day."
But it's been an interesting summer here at ESPN Surfing, our first big season since we dropped the X from our name. And I figured, we'd do a little recap.
For the school aged set, summer is the best time of the year and the kids started it out right this year at the Red Bull Riders Cup with some solid surf in San Clemente. In the National Championship, Mira Costa edged out the San Dieguito Academy 98-96.
International Surfing Day was another success, as the East Coast actually enjoyed waves for a change on this most important of holidays.
Mr. Slater started off the summer by making a last minute decision to visit his friends in Brazil and wound up winning the Hang Loose Pro. He also posted a perfect 10 in Huntington.
Parko reinforced his top slot with his victory at J-Bay. Of course, there was also the Battle of the Icons, in which Curren took it to Occy. This was a phenomenal event all around.
Young Kolohe Andino won the Open Men's Division at the NSSA Nationals, making him the winningest NSSA competitor ever.
In the middle of the summer, things turned on, as the Pacific Ocean smiled on the Hurley US Open and the West Coast in general. It was potentially the biggest south swell in years, bringing joy to thousands, helping Simpo and Courtney Conologue win the Open, and igniting the East vs West Coast Civil War here on the blog.
In early August, the US won the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games thanks to the work of Benny B and Cory Lopez. Clay Marzo returned to competition with a win at the first ever Quisilver Puerto Escondido Pro and Maya Gabiera won an ESPY. Flynn Novak won a South Shore one-star with huge implications and Gorkin bagged yet another ECSC.
Then things heated up in the Atlantic, as Hurricane Bill became a Cat 4 Hurricane and superswell maker for the East Coast. And just as that tailed off, the West Coast got perfect and Tropical Swell Danny picked things up for the Mid-Atlantic.
And though school is back in session and the nights are starting to feel a little autumn-ish, there's still plenty to do. The West Coast swing is about to take off and the East Coast is getting ready for its own string of events.
Summer '09 was good to most of us, but bring on the fall.
"Hey Sean, yeah, it's Barack. Yeah, my Surfline account ran out. So, listen Michelle and I are taking the kids to Martha's Vineyard and I hear there's some swell..."
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Contributors
Jon Coen
Jon is from New Jersey and continues to reside there with his wife and dog—which means occasional empty barrels and the occasional session in the snow.The state isn't as dirty as people might think, but he'll let them keep believing that.
Jake Howard
Jake lives, writes, and surfs in San Clemente, California. He spent his formative gremlin years surfing points north of San Francisco, and for the last 10 years has been contently surviving behind the Orange Curtain.
Kimball Taylor
Author of Return by Water, as well as books on Jeffreys Bay and Pipeline, Kimball drives a red hot Camero, and back in the '70s, he used to party with your Dad.
Daniel Ikaika Ito
Daniel surfs like a hippie, but dresses like a homie. The Native Hawaiian originally hails from Hilo, but now resides in Honolulu. He enjoys twin-fins, new sneakers and being ESPN's "Cuz On The Scene" in the 50th State.
Jason Kenworthy
About as majestic as a turkey vulture, when he's not shlepping his lens around the world or looking for road kill, Jason can be found at home in Dana Point tending to his growing brood.
