On Tour With Dean Randazzo
By Dean Randazzo
This past weekend was a big deal for some talented young local surfers as they competed in the Eastern Surfing Association Northeast Regional. The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) was formed in 1967, and one of the founding fathers is New Jersey native, Cecil Lear. The Northeast Regional is where the best surfers from all of the ESA Districts in the North East come to compete, in hopes of qualifying for the East Coast Championships in September, where they will meet up with other qualifiers from ESA Southeast Regional and Mid Atlantic Regional. There is a lot on the line for these kids coming up through the ranks: the Northeast Regional is a stepping stone toward much bigger dreams, the ESA being a gateway for these kids to possibly compete in the Olympics. You would have to qualify through your region to compete in the US Prime events and the US Nationals in California, to have a chance to make the International Surfing Association’s US Team, to then have a chance at the Olympics. Yes, it’s a long road but it’s paved and ready for the long haul.
For me the ESA was a lot of fun! Every contest you would see all of your friends hanging out, surfing, and having fun. I can remember the pressure of the Northeast Regional because I really wanted to qualify to go to Cape Hatteras for the East Coast Championships. Surfing is a subjective sport and anything can happen in a heat, such as being disqualified for interference, or the ocean going flat so no waves come to you, allowing Joe Smo beat you. Fortunately, I always qualified and part of my motivation was my sponsor at the time, George Gerlach, owner of Surfers Supplies. As part of being on the team, George paid for my whole trip. Every year team Surfers Supplies would show up in the Outer Banks. We were a little different than the long haired blond kids from Florida, and after all, we had Doc X on our team! He was an eccentric character that dared to wear Malcom X tee shirts on the Outer Banks back in the day- but that’s another story! I have great memories of competing at the East Coast Championships: meeting new friends from other places, surfing different waves, and eating grits and hush puppies. Everyone has great memories of traveling down to the Outer Banks for the East Coast Championships!
Leading up to the Northeast Regional I held a Camp ZZO coaching session with some young local talent- Tucker Collins, William Bumbernick, Kayden Cameron, and Sofia Whelan, to get them prepared for the big event. We ran mock heats, worked on contest strategy, and followed up the session with video analysis and heat strategy literature. I love coaching and having the opportunity to help these kids surf better and strive to be their best.
15 year old William Bumbernick says he has pre-heat rituals to help ease the nerves: he stretches, listens to music, and says some prayers. He made two division finals: U16 and U18. Other surfers might have something like a lucky leash, or specific ritual that must be done to help them mentally prepare for the competition. 12 year old Tucker Collins made 3 finals: U14, U16, and Menehune longboard, and said that this was his best contest performance, adding that advice I had given him freed his mind and changed his perspective. Kids get nervous when they look at who is in their heat. I say it doesn’t matter, that surfing is a self sport, and you’re not actually competing against the other kids in your heat, you’re competing against yourself. You’re the only one allowed on that wave- now go find the best waves! You can’t control the outcome, but you can control what wave you catch, and how you perform on that wave. Focus your energy on what you can control and the rest will fall in place. Tucker also felt that he had added pressure to do well since O’Neil had just become his sponsor. 11 year old Sophie Whelan, a Heritage team rider made 2 finals: U12 and Sharkbanz Girls U14. 8 year old wonder kid, Cruz Dinofa, finished 2nd in U12. Cruz said he was super excited to surf in his first Northeast Regional stating that he thought it was awesome to travel to an event, stay in a hotel, and surf for two days with the best surfers in the North East. He said he that he had so much fun hanging with friends and meeting new friends from other places.
Local competitions are just fun! Although there is a lot on the line for some of these up and coming kids, you don’t have to be the next Kelly Slater or local prodigy to show up to the contest and compete. It’s fun for everyone. I asked my 11 year old son, Dean Jr. what he liked about competing in the ESA or OCSA. He said he really wants a trophy but he likes hanging out with the kids more. I remember last year at one of the ESA events there was a contest for the kid with the most sand on them. The kids rolled around in the sand and the sandiest kid got a prize! These kids are gaining great memories that will last a lifetime! Keep Shredding! Dean Randazzo
“Surfing is life, the rest is detail” quote Allen J. Wolf
