1st Annual Daytona Beach Longboard Classic

The Pier, Daytona Beach Florida
21 February 2009

Pro Surfing returns to Daytona Beach. The Daytona Longboard Classic goes down as a big success!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 March, 2009 : - - Results, of the 1st Annual Daytona Beach Longboard Classic, held Saturday, February 21st off Daytona Pier, Daytona Beach, Florida, in fun, 2-4 foot semi glassy wave conditions.

The event was part of the WinterJAM Weekend in Daytona Beach, a unique 4 Day Volkswagen Lifestyle Event. From its inception back in 2007, we wanted to add a Longboard Surf Contest, so starting last summer we began planning what resulted in the first Pro event held in the Daytona area since 1991.  The Classic formulae was a 2K pro purse, combined with two regular divisions of Open Longboard resulting in almost 60 entrants filling the heats with many alternates standing by.

"We thought we would organize a one day pro event and yet, as time went by, it became apparent that the local community wanted more so two divisions were added and we could have expanded more. 

I was really happy with the turnout and beach aura and want to give special thanks to Volusia County and the city of Daytona for all their co-operation for this special event we brought to Daytona", said Joe Arbucci, event co-ordinator, "the weather was great, the waves co-operated and the people of the area and beyond filled up the hotels.  I was really pleased.  The Daytona Beach Junior LIfeguard program benefited from the event as well and that cause is very special as anyone knows"

The event drew not only an incredible crowd, but also, without question, many of the top longboarders in the U.S..  The final of the Pro was arguably the top Longboarders around with Justin Quintal taking the victory in with two solid scores in the 30 minute final.  Justin scored early with an 8.0 avg. and closed it out over Todd Kinsey -- who flew in from Kansas City for the event, having moved there a month ago -- with a 8.5 notch from the panel.

"When approached about directing this addition to this lifestyle event, I was excited to be a part of it and brought in the best staff I had worked with over the years at various upper level contests.  They came through for us, but more then that, the athletes were stoked with the event, and the goings on during the contest and afterwards.  I'm super excited about next year and we have already had a meeting on that.  3 days will probably be the call next year", said contest director, Brian Broom. "We had a lot of requests to add other divisions and slots, but the time line simply wasn't there this year"

Plans for 2010 have already started. The event will be expanded to a 3 day event with many new divisions added including 2 womens.

Longboard Pro
1. Justin Quintal
2. Todd Kinsey
3. Tony Silvagni
4. Mike DeTemple

Open Longboard 35+
1. Bran Bowen
2. Maurico Khune
3. David Hettel
4. Alan Ellison

Open Longboard U35
1. Dylan Andrews
2. JT Roberts
3. Chris Tinsher
4. Asher King
5. Chris Lind
6. Josh Richardson

About WinterJam: WinterJAM is the first event of its kind in the USA. Its a 4 Day Volkswagen Lifestyle Festival. The whole Weekend is planned with events that are geared towards the Volkswagen & Surfing Communities. Events will include 3 Aircooled & Watercooled VW Shows, a Peformance Dyno Event & Burnout Contest, a Navigational Rally, the Worlds Largest Indoor Cal Look Memorabilia Exhibit, VW & Surf Vendors, 2 Swap Meets, a Longboard Surf Contest, and a Skate Demo.

www.daytonawinterjam.com

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Brian Broom

Longboard - Surfersvillage