The Eastern Surfing Championships were held Sept. 23-29, on Hatteras Island. The event was originally scheduled to be held at the Avon pier, but since a horrific shark attack in August and the terrible surfing conditions ever present at the pier, the event was moved back to its original location at the Hatteras Lighthouse. ESA competitors were delighted, since the Lighthouse is not only a wonderful location in a state park setting, there's also a peeling left that wedges off the jetty on a good swell. In fact the adult competition scored the best surf this year, with glassy chest high waves coming in for most of the week due to a hurricane off-shore. The Youth competition didn't fare as well, as the surf dropped dramatically by Friday.

Each year thousands of surfers up and down the coast compete in local and regional competitions in order to qualify for a slot to Easterns. Out of the few hundred surfers who compete in Easterns, only a few walk away with the title. East Coast Wahines.com would like to congratulate all the competitors, especially the female athletes below!

(note: photos are from stock) To learn more about the ESA please visit them on-line, http://www.surfesa.org

1 Ainslee Wallace, VA
2 Leah Dawson , CFL
3 Jamie DeWitt , SNJ
4 Kira Sheppard, CFL
5 Moira Dougherty, SNJ
6 Connie Arias, CFL

1 Sara Willis, CNC
2 Margo Gosman, TCFL
3 J Lee Driskell, SAFL
4 Jackie Bell , NY
5 Kylene Miller, SNJ
6 Erica Peek, CFL

1 Linda Davoli, SNJ
2 Patti Hook, OBNC
3 Mindy Fitzpatrick , CNC
4 Susie Walton , VA
5 Kate Whatley, NCFL
6 Jennifer Grottola, SNJ

1 Nicole Diggs, OBNC
2 Brittany Diggs , OBNC
3 Diana Wade, CNJ
4 Shea Lindon, SNC
5 Kristy Murphy, PBFL
6 Leanne Falvey, NE

1 Kristy Murphy, PBFL
2 Izzy Braly, SAFL
3 Jenny Flanigan, PBFL
4 Mindy Fitzpatrick, CNC
5 Leah Dawson , CFL
6 Katie McLeod, NCFL