East Coast Wahines

East Coast Wahines Announce Savings Bonds Recipients

October 7, 2008 Wrightsville Beach Beach, NC— The East Coast Wahines have awarded four $500 savings bonds. Competitors filled out questionnaires at the 12th Annual East Coast Wahine Championships, held in August in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The four winners are currently in elementary, middle, or high school, and are encouraged to use the bonds toward a college education. The bonds were made possible by a contribution from the Julie Ann Foundation- an Alzheimer’s Association improving quality of care for Dementia and Alzheimer patients in eastern North Carolina. The recipients are:

Greta Hesmer, age 8, attending second grade at Eaton Elementary School in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was Greta’s second year competing in the ECWC and she was the youngest entrant in the Grommette Shortboard division. She has been surfing since she was five years old and also enjoys skateboarding and fishing. She once caught four baby sharks, which she returned to the ocean.

Rachel Callaghan, age 13, attending 8th grade at Roland-Grise Middle School in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was Rachel’s second year competing in the ECWC. Rachel plays violin and piano and says competing in gymnastics has helped her surfing. Rachel is working on a project with her cousin called A.N.G.E.L. (A New Generation Expanding Love) that will deliver stuffed animals and books to an orphanage in the Philippines.

Cara Salerno, age 17, attending 11th grade at North Brunswick Township High School in North Brunswick, New Jersey. This was Cara’s first ECWC event and her first trip to North Carolina.  She placed 4th in Girls Bodyboard. Cara has been bodyboarding since she was eight years old and her current favorite move is the barrel roll. Cara, an aspiring photographer, is a member of the National Honors Art Society, and enjoys capturing the action of skateboarding on film.

Hilary Watters, age 17, attending 11th grade at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  This was Hilary’s first ECWC event and she placed 3rd in Jr. Women Longboard and 4th in Girls Shortboard. Hilary comes from a surfing family. She’s been competing since age 10 and recently took 1st place in Women’s Longboard at the ESA Regionals. She taught surf lessons over the summer, but also has a passion for the snow. She’s been touring colleges near mountains and hopes her good grades and love for math and science will get her into a good college.

The ECWC was the first female amateur surfing contest on the east coast. It began in 1997 and encourages girls of all ages to experience the camaraderie of competition. The ECWC’s presenting sponsor is Billabong Girls. Billabong sponsors the world’s best female surfers, snowboarders and skateboarders, and is committed to supporting the progression of women’s surfing, and aspiring female surfers.