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New Year, Old Photos, Time To Move On

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I was in San Clemente, California over the New Year digging through some boxes in our storage closet when I came across a box filled with old photo albums. The one I lingered upon the longest was filled with photos of surfing. It began with the first annual East Coast Wahine in 1997. After getting over the shock of how young, thin, and physically fit I was then compared to now, I was able to rejoice in the memories. There were photos from Eastern Surfing Championships in 98, my first trip to California, US Champs in Hawaii, and several other East Coast Wahines. Familiar faces like Marty Mentzer, Sara and Maggie Willis, Eileen O’Connor, Barbara Corey, Kelly Kane, Erin Whittle, Katie Coryell, Patti Hook, Mimi Munro, Shannon Sommers, Colleen Hanley, Elisabeth Funderburk, Karen Allison, Paula Bushardt, and the list goes on and on of the women I’ve surfed and traveled with. The experiences I’ve shared with so many of you and the waves we have ridden together. I feel like my venture to the west coast and into the heart of the surfing industry- starting out with Surfing Girl Magazine and moving onto Surf Life for Women, all while continuing to direct the East Coast Wahine could have never have happened without all the women surfers I’ve met along the way. I felt like all the east coast girls were rallying for me, keeping me afloat in the big bad “bro” world of surfing. You all have been my inspiration and my motivation.

Just now, as I write, tears well up in my eyes. I honestly didn’t know I was going to write this, share these emotions that tug at my heartstrings and pull me back to the east coast over and over from so far away. So while I’m so open and raw I’ll just say it. It’s time to move on, to let go, to set myself free. For ten years I’ve given my heart and soul to the East Coast Wahine Championships. I don’t want to see it go. I don’t want to let it go, but I must in order to grow.

There are options for the East Coast Wahine Champs to continue. I have three ready to go in my head. But I’m going to hold them here awhile, hoping that someone is going to come along with a likewise or better idea. I’ve always felt that surfers should give back to the sport they love. The East Coast Wahine has been such a joy- quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever done with my life (aside from marrying my husband and birthing my daughter). If it is to keep on keeping on, then I’m holding the space and will gladly share all the intricacies of running the first-ever and longest running all-women’s surfing contest on the east coast. If it’s the end, so be it. Nothing is permanent.

Thank you east coast wahines, every single one.

-Anne Beasley Weber 1/6/2008

Categories: Anne's Archives, General.

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3 Responses

  1. Everyone has been so lucky to have you at the helm for so long, YOU are so incredibly inspirational!

    SantaCruzSurferJanuary 7, 2008 @ 9:18 am
  2. Well said my friend—wow, we have shared some wonderful times—surfing, traveling, writing, and at the ECWC—memories are cherished! Anne, thanks for all the hard work w/ the ECWC over the years—you are an incredible woman. And I know by faith, the next step will emerge.

    MartyMentzerJanuary 10, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
  3. Anne, it’s been a long ride, thanks for all you’ve done for women and the sport of surfing. we’v had some great surf trips together and i’ll always cherish those memories. the ecwc meant alot to so many of us, it will be hard to fill that void after so many yrs. what will we all do on that 3rd weekend in aug? even if someone else steps up to take over, it will not be the same with out you at the helm. love ya chickie!

    lowriderJanuary 13, 2008 @ 11:15 am



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