The Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships is a major professional and amateur event for the United States Surfing Federation. Each year, several hundred surfers from menehunes to masters compete for East Coast surfing titles, prizes, history and the sheer love of surfing.
Other beach oriented sports and recreation include skimboarding, volleyball, a boardwalk 5K run, street skate and ramp contests, swimsuit contests, food and drink concessions, and live music on the beach.
So get your "Surf On" and join us at this exciting local event... there's something for everyone! **CLICK HERE** for more info! History of Virginia Beach Surfing
Check out this video highlighting the history of Virginia Beach Surfing featuring personal interviews with many of the "Local Legends" of our area including Wes Laine, Bob Holland, Bill Frierson, Butch Kitchin, Pete Smith, and Shep Jordan. This is an awesome snapshot into not only how surfing came to our beach, but also the overall evolution of the sport. Great video!
Need a place to dry off in between heats? Siebert Realty has dozens of Sandbridge Beach home and condo vacation rentals available during this event. Many also offer Red Hot Discounted Rates! Visit our website to check rental availability, view interior photos and floor plans, and you can even book and pay for your reservation online. Or simply give our friendly rental agents a call today at 877-422-2200 for further assistance.
Come be a part of this local surfing celebration! Hope to see you at the beach. :)
The Steel Pier Classic and Surf Art Expo is the place to be on Memorial Day Weekend in Virginia Beach! The masters of longboard surfing, as well as offerings from a wealth of talented artists, all come together to embrace the art of surfing. Come join us for some wave riding bliss!
The main mission of the Steel Pier Classic and Surf Art Expo is to give back to the community by bringing the community together as one. Any proceeds raised are given to Charity. Everyone in this newly formed club works strictly on a volunteer basis, no salaries, no paychecks, just a love for surfing and the ocean. The love of the "Ocean" is our common denominator. Our vision realizes that surfing is an art (no matter what the medium is…a surfboard or a pen and piece of paper), and we must include all budding artists to share their interpretation of the ocean.
The water sports featured during this one of kind East Coast Event are treated equal. They will provide the same divisions for shortboarding and longboarding, the same values of the cash purse. All participants are entering an event that does not discriminate against their personal love of surfing. All are embraced!
From this growing surfing event, The Virginia Beach Surf Art Expo has evolved. Surfing is a sport, but it’s also an art form. The culture of surfing has stimulated surf artists for many years. The Steel Pier Classic and Surf Art Expo embraces the art of surfing in every form... whether it’s observing the sport of surfing, or featuring surf artists along the Va. Beach Boardwalk who create the art of surf on canvas, carvings, film, jewelry, or craftwork. While you're enjoying the Steel Pier Classic, make sure you stop by and check out all the artists on the boardwalk as we celebrate the culture of surfing, and the art of surfing in every form.
A dream and a vision is now the premier waterman's festival on the East Coast.
Need lodging during the Steel Pier Classic and Surf Expo? Sandbridge Beach is only a few minutes away from this boardwalk event. Simply give our friendly rental agents a call today at 877-422-2200 or visit our website at www.siebert-realty.com to check availability, view interior photos and floor plans, and you can even book and pay for your reservation online. Hope to see you soon.
The fast-growing water sport at Sandbridge Beach is Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). This fun activity has really become popular in the past decade. Originating in the islands of Polynesia, it was picked up by surfers in Hawaii as a way of keeping fit while training for competitions. Stand Up Paddleboarding combines surfing and kayaking, but is better than both as you can stand up on a board and use a paddle to propel yourself forward. It’s a fun, easy way to play on the water! With a minimum of equipment, you can paddle anything from ocean surf to the lakes and rivers—and best of all, no waves are required. And since you're standing at your full height, you'll enjoy excellent views of everything from sea creatures to what's on the horizon. It's almost like walking on water!
Video: Techniques On the
Water
Paddleboarding Stance:
Beginners will find it easier to paddle on their knees until they get the hang of it and learn to balance the board. Paddleboards used in this sport are wide, very stable and equipped with a rear fin. It’s a very easy sport to pick up and a fun workout.
Tips for keeping your balance:
Your feet should be parallel, about hip-width distance apart, centered between the rails (board edges).
Don't stand on the rails.
Keep toes pointed forward, knees bent and your back straight.
Balance with your hips—not your head.
Keep your head and shoulders steady and upright, and shift your weight by moving your hips.
Your gaze should be level at the horizon. Avoid the temptation to stare at your feet.
It's much like bicycling: When your forward momentum increases, your stability increases as well.
Paddleboard Rentals:
Looking to rent a paddleboard during your vacation at Sandbridge? Call Moneysworth Beach Equipment Rentals at 800-662-2122 or place an order online at **CLICK HERE** Moneysworth Website - Water Sports
Billabong presents the Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic and Surf Art Expo this Memorial Day Weekend, May 25th - 27th. Professional Men and Women longboard contests will offer cash purses, including a $5,000 men's division; the women's purse will be announced closer to the event. In addition, a $5,000 Men's pro shortboard contest will be part of the event.
"We consider the Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic & Surf Art Expo presented by Billabong as the kick-off to the summer surf season in Virginia Beach," said D. Nachnani, president of local surf wear retailer Coastal Edge. "Local fans, competitors and returning visitors know that this event drips salt water."
"This year will take on a whole new flavor with the cast of personalities who'll be attending," said Ken Hunt, mid-Atlantic sales representative for Billabong/RVCA/VZ brands. Names like surf artist Andy Davis; riders Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, Mark "Occy" Occhilupo and Keala Kennely, Ford Archbold and surfboard craftsman Alex Knost will be here". It'll be unmatched by any East Coast action sports event this year."
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS:
Appearances and autograph sessions scheduled to appear: Famed surf artist Andy Davis; VZ rider, Jason "Wee Man" Acuna from "Jackass" movie and TV; Billabong team riders: former world champ, Mark "Occy" Occhilupo and Keala Kennely, star of the film "Blue Crush"; RVCA surfer Ford Archbold; pro surfer/shaper/musician, Alex Knost. Saturday/Times: 1:30 p.m.
Tandem Surfing: This returning amateur event is a real crowd-pleaser (days/times TBA)
Billabong Tow-at (watercraft assisted big air wave jumps) "Battle Royale" schedule TBA both will be signing autographs at the main surfing area.
SUP: Stand-up Paddle Surf competition and SUP race continues to be a HUGE growing sport; schedule TBA
Hawaiian Dancers: Copeland Mills School of the Arts performs traditional dances Sunday May 26, 1:30 p.m., in front of the surf scaffolding
Billabong GromFest— Saturday, May 25, 11:30 a.m. special under 12 years surfer division (free entry but limited to 125 entries; every participant will receive a free Billabong Lycra jersey)
Hawaiian-style Paddle Out scheduled for Noon on Memorial Day, Monday May 27. This traditional ceremony is held annually at SPC honors fallen US soldiers of ongoing military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
- No admission fee for spectators; contestant fees for each surf division entered (surfing entry deadlines: May 22, 5 p.m.)
- Works of art, food, refreshments and T-shirts for sale to public.
SURF ART EXPO: In 2008, a surf art component was added to the Steel Pier Classic and the event officially became known as the Steel Pier Classic & Surf Art Expo. The Surf Art Expo takes place on the boardwalk during the surf competition and is all about the surf, the ocean, and the beach. Local surf artists and artisans are featured in all mediums, such as painting, sculpture, metalwork, jewelry, photography, furniture, woodwork, and surfboard shaping.
The VLF is a nonprofit organization. Proceeds from this annual event will support the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation. www.vagentlemen.comFor Coastal Edge, stop by the beach superstore, 316 21st Street and Arctic Avenue, Virginia Beach, or visit: www.coastaledge.com. For the Surf Art Expo, go to www.vbsurfartexpo.com or contact Sponsorships Unlimited at 757-222-2355.
Looking for lodging during the surf expo? Why not "hang ten" far away from the boardwalk crowds at Sandbridge Beach... the most southern beach in Virginia Beach. Unlike the resort area, you can rent a furnished beach home for the entire family, which is a great way to save money and also have room for the entire family to spread out and relax.
Best of all, we have dozen of rentals still available over the holiday weekend and many are at discounted rates! Simply give our friendly rental agents a call today at 877-422-2200 or go to www.siebert-realty.comto check rental availability, view interior photos and floor plans, and you can even book and pay for your reservation online. It's so easy! Hope to see you soon.
East Coast Surfing Championships
Check out this video highlighting the history of Virginia Beach Surfing featuring personal interviews with many of the "Local Legends" of our area including Wes Laine, Bob Holland, Bill Frierson, Butch Kitchin, Pete Smith, and Shep Jordan. This is an awesome snapshot into not only how surfing came to our beach, but also the overall evolution of the sport. Great video! 
