BIG CHANGES IN STORE FOR 2010 ECSC
BIG CHANGES IN STORE FOR 2010 ECSC
Annual End-Of-Summer Surf Competition Event Expands Dates, Adds New Events, Welcomes Major National Sponsors, and Assigns
Official Naming Rights
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The 48th annual East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) planned for this coming August at the Virginia Beach oceanfront will be the largest and most ambitious in the event’s history. Big changes are ahead for the 2010 ECSC, beginning with a new name, the addition of exciting new sport attractions, and the expansion to five days of activities.
“Vans and Monster Energy present the Coastal Edge ECSC” — the event’s new official title – will operate from Wednesday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 29, and will feature motocross stunt performances and “tow-at” trick style surfing demonstrations in addition to Pro/Am surfing and skate exhibitions. Several tactical exhibitions by US military special forces units are also scheduled.
Officials of both the Virginia Beach Jaycees, the community service organization that owns the ECSC property and the Virginia Beach ECSC, Inc. (the 501c3 organization that governs the event) announced today a long-term underwriting commitment by Coastal Edge, a Virginia Beach-based surf and skate retailer, as well as the substantial sponsorship participation of two mega brands in sports marketing. Financial terms and other agreement specifics were not disclosed, but the Coastal Edge relationship will extend through the event’s upcoming 50th anniversary milestone in 2012.
“Today’s naming rights sponsorship agreement with Coastal Edge and presenting sponsors Vans and Monster Energy, launches ECSC into a new category of sophistication, complexity and significance on the city’s event calendar,” said George Alcaraz, general manager of ECSC. “This corporate commitment will allow our event to grow exponentially in terms of sights, sounds and attractions, while assuring ECSC’s production continuity for several years to come.”
D. Nachnani, president of Coastal Edge, said, “We are ecstatic to be part of Vans and Monster Energy present the Coastal Edge ECSC. We are just so appreciative of being able to give back to the community that has given us the opportunity to grow over the past twenty years. As a locally owned family business, we’re pleased to know that our involvement will give back to this community an event that all parties can be proud of and enjoy.”
Representing the city, Virginia Beach mayor Will Sessoms said, “ECSC is all about history – East Coast surfing history; this city’s surfing lifestyle and heritage; cherished memories for generations of surfers; and years of enjoyment by visitors and residents alike. Today is a historic day in the life of ECSC.”
Virginia Beach ECSC, Inc. governing board president, Paul Brannock, and Virginia Beach Jaycee president, Sarah Brown, were on hand to unveil the event’s updated logo design.
About The Coastal Edge ECSC:
Vans and Monster Energy present the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships is produced by the Virginia Beach Jaycees, a volunteer community service organization and promoted by Resort Management, LLC. All events and musical entertainment at the Coastal Edge ECSC beach festival are open to the public, free of charge to spectators; sport competitors pay various entry fees.
Hundreds of competitors take part in 10 uniquely beach-oriented sports, including:
Surfing (Professional & Amateur)
Beach volleyball
Skimboarding
U.S. Beach Flag Football tournament
World Sand Soccer Association tournament
Boardwalk 5K run
Wareing’s Gym Beach Beach Bum Classic (beach run/beach cruiser bike/surfboard paddle “triathlon”)
Cornhole tournament
BMX extreme ramp riding
Extreme skateboard exhibition
Portions of the proceeds raised at The Coastal Edge ECSC benefit the Jaycee’s many charitable projects. www.surfecsc.com.
Paul West, president of the United States Surfing Federation, announced in a prepared statement that this year’s event will add two new youth amateur divisions: 9 years/under Boys and Girls; and 14-years & under (Girls only). “We’ve added these new divisions in response to the tremendous growth in the sport,” he said.
I understand the financial incentive from this sponsorship, but you are losing some of the distinct identity of the East Coast Surfing Championship. You’ve had big sponsors in the past, and they always have respectfully let “ECSC” have top billing. This is sad, and so are all these distracting, non-surfing activities you’re bringing in. It’s like slot machines at horse racing tracks.
With the economy being so bad and major
surfing events being cut on the WCT and
WQS tour, I’m glad that Virginia is
doing it bigger and better.
It is up to organizations like ECSC to
keep the vibe of surfing alive on the
East Coast.
“You’ve had big sponsors in the past, and they always have respectfully let ‘ECSC’ have top billing.” Agreed, Flash.
The dude that owns Coastal Edge doesn’t surf, and may not be aware of the true vibe & historical significance of the world’s 2nd oldest surf contest. His company’s support of this event should be greatly appreciated by all locals. BUT, there must be standards and guidance from those that have been involved w/ ECSC since the beginning.
This is and always has been about the VB force – cause it certainly ain’t about the waves. Or is it??? Come on Danielle, bring us some surf!!!
“Vans and Monster Energy present the Coastal Edge ECSC” is a stupid excuse for a name, and I hope they think better of it. Did any of these guys ever hear about identity or branding? East Coast Surfing Championship is not the most original name, but it does convey the basic identity of the event. If you’re gonna sell the naming rights, at least have the outcome be comprehensible.
So I’m all for ECSC and what it’s about, but who unlocked the cool factor and decided it was ok to have a weak name for our citys residents to have to stomach? We grew up with the landmark competition and now it’s gonna be another small wave comp in the books. Yes let’s sell out and have sponsors everywhere down here giving kids and locals free stuff and a good time, like always, but do we have to change the beach’s pastime and make it like a corporate zoo by changing the simplicity of it all so blatantly? Really? Vans and Monster energy present the Costal Edge ECSC??! Really?! Let’s just put their logos on the banner and call it a day like were used to. If were gonna go this far, let’s actually sell out and call it the Wal-Mart ECSC. It sounds just as cheesy and we’d all be getting free flat screens and iPods for swag instead of hats and t-shirts!! I mean, we’re practically setting ourselves up for it now..whoever writes the biggest check gets their name IN the title!? I hope whoever let this happen gets fired so we can have our surf competition back.