Also have cable that you pay through the Marina. Cable is $100/year. Cable is paid through June. If interested, please call (919) 772-1967

They will be at Sweetwater on Novmber 22,23, and 24.

Contact Sweetwater for any details.
Tony Butler
www.sweetwatersurfshop.com

It looks like there will be over seventy people going on this trip. If you would like to attended please contact one of the local chapters by this Wed. Nov. 6th.

You can find the contact info on our web site at www.christiansurfers.com Thanks and God Bless.

Bomb victim mending Outer Banks man was surfing in Bali

By JAY PRICE, Staff Writer

COLINGTON HARBOR -- This is how far terrorism can reach: all the way around the world to an idyllic, sound-side subdivision favored by locals who like to live far from the Outer Banks' frantic tourist trail.

One of them, David Creecy, 49, was among the worst-injured survivors of the two bomb blasts on the resort island of Bali on Saturday that left nearly 200 people dead. Creecy, a workaholic who had finally cut loose for a long-dreamed-of surfing trip, received second-degree burns over 60 percent of his body and was placed on a ventilator, his wife, Jackie, said Tuesday.

"He said not to worry, it's safe, it's a Hindu country," she said. "His argument to me was, 'I'm going to be 50 soon, and I'm probably in the best health I've been in a while, and I've always dreamed of surfing in an exotic place like that.' "

Creecy owns a business that maintains pools and spas. He was taking his first trip ever away from his family, which includes his son Tyler, 17, and his daughter Caitlin, 12.

He was traveling with three friends from the Outer Banks who knew Bali well. But they weren't with him when he was injured, and it's unclear why he was in the tourist-packed area where the bomb exploded, Jackie Creecy said. He may have gone to a local surf shop for souvenirs for Tyler, who also surfs, or he may have been eating with a couple of newly made Australian friends at a restaurant across the street from the explosions.

For hours after the bombing, his family didn't know whether Creecy was dead or alive. Relatives of a travel companion drove over Saturday afternoon to say that they hadn't been able to find him.

The trio had first joined the crowd digging through the debris at the bomb site, Jackie Creecy said, then began a grisly hunt through rows of wounded and dead at local hospitals.

Meanwhile, Tyler and a relative got on the Internet and chased down the names of all the Bali clinics and hospitals they could find and began calling them. About midnight they got lucky: At a hospital, one of the staff put an unidentified Australian man on the phone.

"I can't believe this," the man said, "but I think you've struck the jackpot. I think I'm looking through a window at your man right now in the operating room."

Creecy's three friends had arrived at the same hospital a few minutes earlier and had been told yes, there was someone named David in the operating room, but he was Australian. They waited, just in case.

It was Creecy, and he was alive, but he had injuries that required better care than could be found in Bali. His family agreed to pay several thousand dollars to get him on a medevac flight Sunday night, and he joined 15 other bomb victims headed for a hospital in Singapore.

There, a doctor from the U.S. Embassy has been checking on him regularly, Jackie Creecy said. A medevac company that works with Creecy's insurance company and a doctor from the burn center at UNC Hospitals also have been conferring on Creecy's situation.

On Tuesday afternoon, his family heard the words they've been hoping for since Saturday.

"They're sending Daddy home, they're sending Daddy home," Tyler shouted to his mother, holding the phone out. The call was from state Sen. Marc Basnight's office, which since Sunday morning had been helping the family deal with the State Department and U.S. Embassy, and with various health insurance issues.

Norma Mills, general counsel for Basnight, told Jackie Creecy that the doctors who have been dealing with the case had decided that Creecy was stable enough to move, probably by the end of the week. Creecy's brother, meanwhile, was due to arrive Tuesday night in Singapore after a nearly daylong flight.

Colington Harbor, where the Creecys live, is mostly a place for folks who have made their own way in the world -- builders, real-estate agents and small-business owners -- and who like to come home to a place where they know everyone, where the children can roam in packs and dogs can lie in the street without fear, thanks to the 25 mph speed limit.

But now all anyone there can talk about is Creecy and the bombs on the other side of the world. Creecy is a local, after all, and down here the locals stick together. The community has rallied. A radio station raised $14,000 in its first day of a campaign. Shops have put out collection jars. An Outer Banks artist has made get-well cards featuring scenes of things Creecy loves -- surfing, beach sunsets, wild horses and such -- and placed them in businesses for people to sign.

Tyler Creecy said Tuesday that the family was overwhelmed by all the support and was still struggling to understand what had happened.

"I felt like my dad deserved this trip," Tyler said. "He worked really hard seven days a week to get to the place where he could do this, and then it's like he's punished for it."

How to help

WVOD-FM in Manteo is collecting donations to help the Creecy family. Contributions should go to: The Sound Relief Fund, 303 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo, N.C. 27954. Or call (252) 473-1993.

Staff writer Jay Price can be reached at 829-4526 or jprice@newsobserver.com.

5'0 Greg Leoehr epoxy fish (brand new). White with black lettering and blue rectangles around name on nose. Black, blue and gray deck pad.

5'4 Local Motion high performance board shaped by Ricky Carroll. White deck with blue rails and yellow bottom. Root Beer Barrell Sticker on nose. Brand new leash attached and black, yellow and white deck pad.

7'6 RC (Ricky Carroll) fun board. White with ribbons of purple bubbles on nose and rails. Black fins.

Also stolen, white and yellow Morey bodyboard, green BZ bodyboard, 2 sets of flippers and 2 wetsuits all stored in brand new 9ft. DAKINE travel bag.

Any info is appreciated. This was my son's entire quiver and he is heartbroken. Please contact Cecelia at 609-264-7476. Thanks

Well, I only live about two blocks away. So I proceeded to walk home. The closer I got home the more the toxic poison flowed through the blood stream. Long story short, I went into shock while my wife was driving me to the hospital. I stayed in the hospital until about 1 am the next morning so they could monitor me. Being the toxin took over my system causing me not to be able to breath.

I am writing this just as an awareness letter, but I am following up with a letter to the Chief of Police and the News times. To serve and protect? Right! If you want to believe that.

Thanks Bart Brinson

Several other Eastern NC Christian Surfer Chapters (NB, Wrightesville, OBX) and possibly some from out of state plan to be there.

All are welcome. Contact Joey Furtner at 726-2796 or Alex Davis at 729-1712 for more information.

With the anniversary of September 11 approaching,The surfing community would be making a mistake if we did not do something to properly commemorate the occasion in our own way.

Each one of us was affected by the horrible events of that day, one we will never forget. Many Americans will not know how to deal with the date other than by turning on CNN, but we are surfers, and we are different. Over the years our global community has developed our own traditions of acknowledging a tragic loss, whether it is in our personal family, the family of surfing, or the family of humanity. This is the Paddle-Out Ceremony.

As you may know, a large ASP World Championship Tour competition will be on at Lower Trestles with a waiting period spanning September 11. While it is absolutely inappropriate to make any promotional use of Sept 11 whatsoever, we are provided the opportunity to use the event infrastructure for our ceremony. And the ASP's Top 48 surfers in the world, visiting from far and near, wish to join us side-by-side in our waters to recall what happened a year ago. If there will be tears shed on the morning of September 11, I say let them fall into the lineup at Trestles where they may mix together in the healing waters of our ocean refuge.

Constructing a commemoration for an event like the anniversary of Sept 11 is a very delicate challenge, so I ask for you to share your thoughts on the matter.

The following plan is a draft only and I welcome input from everyone as to tasteful and appropriate ways of showing the thoughts of the surfing community (and precise input in regard to flag etiquette and/or militaryprotocols is crucial).

Everyone who wishes to attend is invited and encouraged to paddle out into the water or stand by on shore. We'll have a PA system and remote mike of some sort available and are looking for an outrigger canoe or something similar to sit at the center of the circles. A friend in NYC has sent us a small symbolic quantity of dust/rubble from the WTC site and the thought is to cast it into the lineup at Lowers where it will settle to the bottom and in a way become a permanent part of California surfing.

Please share this with anyone you feel may have a desire to be involved.

Aloha,

Bill Sharp

SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL PADDLE-OUT DRAFT SCHEDULELOWER TRESTLES, SAN ONOFRE STATE PARK, SAN CLEMENTE/CAMP PENDLETON, CA

6:30 a.m. Sunrise. Raising of American Flag at the event site.

6:43 a.m. (Moment of crash of Flight 77 into Pentagon

6:44 to 6:55 a.m.Gathering and briefing of participants on beach just southof Lowers peak.

6:55 a.m.Participants to leave shore and begin formation of ceremonial circle offshore, in bay south of the Lowers peak. Distance offshore dependent on swell size.If sufficient participants are involved, four circles should be formed to symbolize the four planes involved in the attack. While not enforced, it is hoped that the lineup at Trestles would remain vacant for 25 minutes, with the empty waves breaking in honor of the spirits of those who lost their lives. 7:05 a.m.(Moment of collapse of South Tower.) Participants in position for ceremony. Lowering of flag to half mast.

Comments over PA system by ASP Officials and/or Surfers.

7:10 a.m. (Moment of Pennsylvania crash of Flight 93.)

Comments over PA system by well-spoken representative of surf industry

Comments over PA system by well-spoken representative of surf community

Comments by any representatives of Fire, Police or Lifesaving services who may wish to be involved.(Input especially welcome!!)

(Should any individuals emerge from within the surf community who lost family members in attacks, their comments are most welcome).

7:25 a.m.Casting of WTC dust/rubble into the Lower Trestles lineup.

7:27 a.m.Chanting, splashing, throwing of leis

7:28 a.m.(Moment of collapse of North Tower)Â Return of American Flag to Full Staff Position, accompanied by playing of National Anthem over PA.

7:29 a.m.If possible and appropriate, a fly-by of Marine Corps jets from Camp Pendleton in missing-man formation.

7:30 a.m.Completion of ceremony.Participants return to beach or surf in a brotherly and sisterly manner (careful out there, it could be crowded).

The O'Neill Pro was the fourth consecutive big qualifier in Europe. Were you beat by the end? No way, everyone was jonesin' to win. I wasn't even burnt -- I mean, I drove from France to Portugal and then drove back after I won -- nice drive, though.

And you won and now have 8200 points. In the past, that's usually been enough to qualify, but do you still feel as if you need one more result to make it a sure thing? I still have to work, but I'm not worrying; just taking it heat by heat, you know? Toby Martin (Australia) is in the lead, and he's trying to win the whole thing, so I want to make sure I stop him. And, I'm stoked because the next 'QS is in Japan in, like, four days, so the 'CT boys won't be there because of the Lowers contest. Since most of the guys who are in front of me in the 'QS are at Lowers, I have a big chance to improve my ranking and move into the Top 5 (WQS) after Japan.

Last year you won the Maldives 'QS (O'Neill Pro) then busted your ankle. Did that give you more motivation this year to make the cut? Yeah, that injury pretty much canceled me out, and I dropped from 11th to, like, 65th, but after that I knew that I wanted to make it my goal to qualify. So, this year I wanted to redeem myself and get the necessary points. And, besides, if I make the 'CT, I want to go in with a bang; I want to make sure I stop Toby Martin. I don't want to just barely qualify - I want to really do it, and show myself and everyone that I can win and surf with the best.

You've always been known as one of the best freesurfers in the world -- what pushed you to really start trying to qualify last year? The first year I tried to qualify I was 16, and after I didn't make it I just didn't care. I was so young and just wanted to go on freesurfs and photo trips and make it as a professional surfer that way. So, for years, that's how I did it. But last year, when I saw Andy [Irons] and those guys doing well, I knew I could make it -- that really pushed me. They're the best and also my friends -- there's no reason why I shouldn't be with them. We grew up surfing together, and WE were the best. I was right up there with them then, and now they're even better than me, so I want to be on the 'CT and do battle with them and prove that I can beat the boys and be number one, too.

Besides yourself, are there any other Americans who have a chance of joining you? Well, Tim Curran's the only other one up there; he's gonna qualify. But, other than that, Tim and I are the only Americans looking good right now.

So this is it, you may have your ticket to what everyone is calling the "Dream Tour". What's the one wave you're looking forward to surfing the most if you make the 'CT? That's tough; I like 'em all. There's not one contest in the WCT that I wouldn't want to surf. But, I really love to surf J-Bay and Kirra. And I plan to have a good run at Teahupo'o with Andy, you know, 'cause I love big, backside barrels. I can't forget Trestles either, it's my home break. Just knowing that I may have the chance to surf all those places gives me the drive to work harder, plus I'll be surfing against my friends from Bells to Teahupo'o to J-Bay to Pipe.

Any last wishes? If I make the 'CT, I'm gonna go for the World Title. I believe I can pull off a good first year and try my hardest to be the Champ. But, I have to say, that even though the grovel waves of the 'QS are two feet and under, they will warm me up to go surf perfect waves with the boys. So, I'm really pumped for Japan and the rest of the 'QSes. I haven't said my job's done yet - I'm still fighting! {Credit September,2003 Surfing The Magazine! -Mahalo!}

Creatures of Leisure have secured the always-competent services of last year's WQS champion, Mick Fanning, for another three years. The surf accessory company, which is distributed in North America by Oz-Surf, renewed their vows with Fanning earlier this month. "We are stoked that Mick has re-signed," Oz-Surf CEO Derek Wilson said. "As a person, Mick is such a great guy and well respected by his fellow competitors and we look forward to working with him for many years to come."

2)"OAM SIGNS A GLUT OF YOUNG TALENT"

OAM has been busy bolstering their team roster with a grip of additions, including a Ventura standout, a pair of Hawaiians and a Maui transplant. OAM scored brains and brawn in Ventura-based Dane Reynolds, who not only made the 2002 NSSA Open Men finals, but is also a 2002 NSSA Surfer/Scholar with a stellar 4.0 GPA. OAM also acquired Big Island resident and second-place finisher in the 2002 U.S. Open Junior division Jordy Brough. Both join fellow Hawaiian super grom Granger Larson and redheaded Maui transplant Cheyne Magnusson.

On the international level, OAM hooked up with Japanese star Jun Jo and Australian Gold Coast ripper Jay Phillips.

3)"GRAVIS NAMES CHRIS DRUMMY NEW GLOBAL TEAM MANAGER"

Chris Drummy, a jack of all industry trades, has joined forces with Gravis to become their new Global Team Manager. Drummy will oversee Gravis' global Development Team comprised of top talent from the surf, snow, art and music world while also serving as Orange County's dedicated sales rep. In the past, Drummy has been involved with The Realm, Arnette Optics, Ocean and Earth Products and Allycontainmentco.

4)"HANG TEN LAUNCHES GOLD LABEL COLLECTION"

Hang Ten is taking a ride back in time with their spring 2003 launch of Gold Label, a line of authentic vintage reproductions for their young men's collection. The line will feature original engineered stripes, yard dye stripes and wovens built to vintage specs. "Our customers want authentic, original fashion and that's what the Hang Ten line is all about," president of Hang Ten Paul Epner said. "Gold Label is not a line influenced by the world's original lifestyle collection. It is the original collection."

5)"BILLYGOAT SEPARATES ITS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS"

As of October 2nd 2002 Billygoat Productions will be splitting up into two separate companies. Billygoat Productions will still produce and develop surf films under the Billygoat brand, but Billygoat Distribution will exclusively distribute Billygoat Productions action sports films, as well as other actions sports videos and DVDs for its current client base. Brendan Lynch, former chief of operations and marketing officer for Billygoat Productions, will serve as the new president of Billygoat Distribution

6)"Hurley launches shoe line at upcoming trade show!"

The Hurley International booth at ASR will have something new afoot, as the clothing mogul ventures into the shoe market following in the footsteps of its corporate parent, Nike.

"They are casual shoes for just kicking it," Hurley President Bob Hurley says of the new product. "The shoes are not sport-specific and aren't just for skaters, snowboarders and surfers."

In a world where $100 can barely score a decent set of new kicks, there might be some relief to the pocketbook on the horizon as the new shoe line starts at $18 for sandals and hits $65 on the higher end of the scale.

Hurley described the footwear styling as "classic" and said they will feature technology like the Pillar Cushion Sole, which is, well, a shoe sole with pillars that cushion.

While entering the footwear business might seem like a natural move for Hurley, Bob said that tapping into that market wasn't part of his initial agreement with Nike.

"We don't have giant volume goals set," Hurley says. "It's more about getting the brand name out."

7)"Surfing Clothing Company Stock Numbers!"

Quik(zqk)__22.52___27.58_____11.35_____528.1 m.____+1.51
Bbong(bbg)_8.16____10.00____6.00______1,631 m.___-0.63
PSun(psun)_21.75___26.80___11.45______714 m.____+0.91
(Why Is Billabong Down? Hmmm..Who Knows!?)

Well, anyone who scoped out Sunday's annual UCSD Cancer Center Luau and Longboard Invitational held at Scripps Pier on Sunday would beg to differ. For more than nine years, this event has put caring over cash, raising big money from big business with all the proceeds going to cancer research.

This year's event sported its greatest turnout ever with a total of 27 corporations donating and competing, including Erikson, Hawaiian Airlines and Qualcomm. And, unlike those sneaky Enron scumbags, the participating corpos showed no restrain as they forked over plenty of dough for the cause, paying $7,500 or $12,500 for each team.

With the cash flow in place, four of each company's CEOs, vice-presidents and the like formed a longboard team and were assigned one of 55 surfing legends as team captain -- icons like Larry Gordon, Donald Takayama and Rusty Preisendorfer -- in order to transfer their competitive zeal from boardroom to surfboard. And to guarantee some serious excitement, organizers set up a specialty heat to make the most of the 2- to 4-foot surf.

"We had forty-some legends out there in an expression session, just hotdogging and having fun," says Steve Blank of the UCSD Cancer Center. "We got to see some awesome stuff."

But even with all the fun and friendly vibes, it's still a surf contest. And while the money may trickle down to sick patients, the bragging rights stay on the beach as Rusty Preisendorfer, Paul Shapirro, Jon Cohen, Mike Lucas and Pat Pezzoli took the first-place trophy for Team Lifeshock Corporation sponsored by the Walten Family Foundation.

But while other events stop with the prize money after the final event, this contest had plenty more green to plow in the form of a fundraising luau. As night fell upon the contest venue at Scripps, the surfers traded their wetsuits for their party suits, joining 800 other guests beneath a huge tent erected right along the beach. The rager that ensued featured surfboard and photo auctions, plus tons of food, Polynesian dancers, music and award ceremonies, including official mainland unveiling of the Duke Kahanamoku postage stamp by the United States Postal Service.

But the most fitting moment of the evening turned out to be the "Rell Sunn, Queen of Makaha" award, commemorating one of surfing's most caring figures who, after a lifetime of aloha and giving, died from breast cancer in 1998. This year's recipient was past UCSD student and surfer Doctor Craig Venter, who completed the mapping of the Human Genome and has done extensive genetic research that plays a huge role in the fight against cancer.

It was a long day and wild night. The surfers got to meet and surf with some of their favorite childhood surfing heroes; the corporations polished their reps for a good cause. And what was the total dollar amount of this otherwise priceless occasion?

"We raised a ton of money," Steve Blank says. "We're thinking the entire contest and Luau raised between 150 and 200K -- all of which is for cancer research."

Now that beats any surf contest purse I've ever seen.

More info can be seen at www.thebettyseries.com

We need you.

Thanks, Bill Roach

THE BUDDY PELLETIER MEMORIAL LONGBOARD CLASSIC

This year the contest will be at OCEANANA RESORT. People can call (252) 726-4111 to make room reservations!! For Details and contact info please go to: http://www.buddy.pelletier.com

Contest Info:
Date: July 27 and 28
Time: 8:00 am
Where: Oceanana Pier – Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
Entry fees are due by JULY 25th
Fees: $25.00 for all age divisions
To surf open heats add $10.00
If surfing only open division the fee is $25.00
There’s a $10.00 fee for each “Team” member.
Entry forms can be found in all area Surf Shops.
DETAILS: http://www.buddy.pelletier.com

All proceeds benefit the Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation which will help to provide scholarships and render humanitarian aid to members of the East Coast surfing community.

Don’t Freakin’ DELAY .... There’s gonna be lots of good vibes with live entertainment from Mojo Collins, plus tons of FREE STUFF, hand crafted trophies, And, as always ......WAVES!!!

Rob:

I've been reading all the comments regarding the pier/surfing laws as related to the high tide mark. To help folks understand what we're dealing with, I've attached the two sections of the North Carolina General Statutes that give the beach towns and beach counties the power to pass ordinances restricting surfing (see sections below).

While all the arguments made by the surfers responding are good arguments in theory, the State of North Carolina, more specifically the North Carolina General Assembly, has passed laws allowing the beach communities to pass their own ordinances. That is the current final word as it stands in a courtroom right now.

How do we, as a family of surfers, get rid of these ordinances that cater to a few pier owners operating a for-profit business rather than giving a large number of athletes and conservationalists (that's surfers - you need to practice using alternative terms for what we do to get past the old establishment and their preconceived stereotypes) access to enjoy OUR beaches and oceans? Well, there's only two ways I know of:

#1 - Lobby the NC Legislature to change the existing law.

#2 - Someone charged with violating the surfing ordinance, fights their charge on the grounds that the surf ordinance is unconstitutional, possibly having to fight it to the NC Court of Appeals or the NC Supreme Court, in hopes of the Courts changing the law.

Both are costly and will take the support of the entire surfing family. Until that happens, we as surfers need to be careful not to make our situation worse in the form of stricter laws handed out by the towns.

I hope this sheds some light, ends some arguments, and unifies us in our fight to use our beaches and oceans.

Andy Wigmore
andy@surfingattorney.com

-------------------

§ 160A-176.1. Ordinances effective in Atlantic Ocean. (a)A city may adopt ordinances to regulate and control swimming, surfing and littering in the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to that portion of the city within its boundaries or within its extraterritorial jurisdiction; provided, however, nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit any city to prohibit altogether swimming and surfing or to make these activities unlawful. (b) This section shall apply only to cities in the counties of Brunswick, Carteret, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender. (1973, c. 539, ss. 1, 2.)

§ 160A-176.2. Ordinances effective in Atlantic Ocean. (a)A city may adopt ordinances to regulate and control swimming, personal watercraft operation, surfing and littering in the Atlantic Ocean and other waterways adjacent to that portion of the city within its boundaries or within its extraterritorial jurisdiction; provided, however, nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit any city to prohibit altogether swimming or surfing or to make these activities unlawful. (b) Subsection (a) of this section applies to the Towns of Atlantic Beach, Cape Carteret, Carolina Beach, Caswell Beach, Emerald Isle, Holden Beach, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Long Beach, Manteo, Nags Head, Ocean Isle Beach, Southern Shores, Sunset Beach, Topsail Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Yaupon Beach, and the City of Southport only. (1991, c. 494, ss. 1, 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 801; 1993, c. 67, s. 5; c. 125, s. 2; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 625, s. 1; 1997-48, s. 1.)

Local owners, Law Enforcement will try and enforce some type of law but they are out of their jurisdiction when it comes to the high water mark. The water is of Federal concern and that's why cases are thrown out of court. If they infringe upon your right to use and ticket you or arrest you; you as soon as possible go to a federal court and file charges against the public officials, law enforcement and any others. Have them arrested. In fact, since in federal waters, call the Coast Guard in each and every case...They have jurisdiction. Use a cell phone right on the beach and have their number. Enough calls come in for abuse by Pier Owners, Fisherman or Surfers, there will be action. And at all times be respectful. Sorry, But I have heard some nasty language from all concerns and that is not acceptable. You must be respectful and not infringe on the rights of the rest of the public.

In the case of David Sledge's letter,I have known him for a long time and know this happened without even being there and believe him as he told it. Once again, call the Coast Guard, file charges for "Attempted assualt with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm or kill". If you find out this boat is owned by a friend of a pier owner or has accomplicies, then file conspiracy charges. All together, it is a shame to ask people to tour or come to our area for enjoyment and relaxation or vacation with children and friends and then when they get to our home on Atlantic Beach, some treat them with greed,disrespect, disregard, herding them in a monetary way and taking advantage of them in so many confining ways, it makes them uncomfortable. If you keep pushing people away....after awhile, they will stay away. We are known for our "Southern Hospitality", and we have gotten so concerned about our own selfish advancement in life, we have forgotten the sweetness and the loving regard that was taught us by those that have passed on from years and years ago.

Find out what has made us so "Mine Oriented" and change it. Let's get back to living the way we where brought up. Welcome people into our home at Atlantic Beach.

This is Weber ....Later...

A perfect day is when the AB Police patrol doesn't stop in front of your favorite surfing spot because somehow you're invisible. Sometimes you feel the need for speed on your board of choice. Sometimes I just need to take pictures of you doing it. It's a spiritual thing with or without the zoom.

VIEW THE PHOTOS!

This is totally out of hand and if confronted one should call federal law enforcement and have that person arrested. This is not a complicated issue. Respect for one another and their rights is the answer. Older surfers should show wisdom and restraint. Younger surfers should watch what the wise ones do.

I have worked in Television for more than twenty years now. I love my home in Morehead City and Atlantic Beach. People know me and I have always respected you. I am not sure when, but soon, I will be coming back. We stay strong, together, and with calm and we will share our ocean. We will find the right answers among pier owners, fishermen, surfers and land owners. There will be compromise. We older ones know this, and we must teach the young ones. Do not take the "Peace" we so love of "Our Place". If necessary I will come back and run for office. Greed by one faction or all will destroy the Peace, which is why we are there in the first place.

This is Weber....Later.

What distinguishes this particular foray was the number of town employees (six and vehicles and a boat). Even casual observers were stunned by the danger which the boat represented in a crowded line up, in choppy surf and erratically operated. Mothers of surfing children were enraged. Is this next enforcement option napalm?

The exisitence of this law and its predecessors represents a thirty-seven year, open, festering sore which can be instantly cured simply by getting rid of it. For me, it was particularly galling that in the years I was developing and building in Atlantic Beach and paying substantial property taxes, I was helping to fund my own harrassment; chasing the public out of the public's ocean to calm the vexations of a very few pier owners. And we thought plutocracy was a Third World problem.

I had hoped that the arrival of two female members on the board would have resulted in sufficient intellectual subtlety to rid the town of this prolonged cancer. I am now hoping we don't have to wait till women constitute a majority.

This massive operation (the equivalent of herding jay walkers with tanks) may have been a signal from town employees to the board; that the continued fecklessness of attempting to inforce this small obscenity of a law constitutes an insult to their professionalism. In any event I emplore the town board to get rid of this stupid little law before you kill somebody.

David Sledge
726-2531
(Ballou Realty and Development)
Inclosure: additional analysis

read more at the Pensacola News Journal

------
Atlantic Beach, N.C. (May 28, 2002)
TO THE EDITOR:

With summer holidays in full swing, Memorial Day just passed, Fourth of July on its way, we are asked to celebrate the patriotic themes our country stands for. With that in mind, I write this letter concerning the growing controversy over the rights of surfers versus the rights of pier owners, specifically, the owner of Sportsman's Pier.

Our country was founded on the idea that all were equal under the law; that is, no one person, no man, no group of people had more rights than others, and that each citizen was free to pursue his or her own pursuit of happiness.

To some, happiness is trying to catch a fish; to others it is trying to catch a wave. And to this end those who try to catch fish and those who try to catch waves are to be treated equally under the law.

So the situation is that the owner of Sportsman's Pier wishes to extend the now 200-foot surfing zone, that is, no surfing zone, to 500 feet on either side of his pier. Let's look at this. If you or I owned a beachfront home near the pier and wanted to surf in front of our house and the area in front of our house was in the "no surfing zone," could we go surfing in front of our house? What if we rented the house for the summer and the renters wished to surf in front of the house, could they? Or does the pier owner have "more" rights than a homeowner?

Another point, who owns the ocean? Do we not all recognize that the ocean is open territory for all to enjoy whatever recreational activities in and around the water we chose? Can swimmers go in the "no surfing zone"? Can those who wade in the water go in the "no surfing zone"? Can those who float in boats go within the "no surfing zone"? If so, does this not violate that all are to be treated equally under the law? Some can go in the "zone," and some cannot.

We have men and women in uniform serving our country in dangerous places today, to protect our precious rights, our liberties. Should we not look close at home and see if we can also protect all so that all are treated equally under the law.

One pier owner's anger at a group of people should not dictate the law. It is a shame that anger exists where there is need for none. Does Atlantic Beach wish to codify anger into city law, thus giving pier owners more rights than those who surf? I hope not. I hope that Atlantic Beach and other towns along coastal Carolina would honor the principles that our country was founded upon.

ISABELLA CEPLECHA

One, is "public trust," which ensures that everyone has access to public waters. The key word here, however, is "access," and access IS provided in Atlantic Beach.

Another issue is riparian rights, the rights of oceanfront property owners over the sandy beach. Most discussions on this issue, however, talk about rights as they pertain to the high-water mark, not rights to the left or right of the owners' property.

Third, is the issue of equal rights. Is it lawful for a town to limit only surfers to an arbitrary boundary to the left and right of fishing piers? What about swimmers, kayakers, rafters and the like? What if this arbitrary boundary encroaches on the waterfront of another private property owner? Can that owner not surf in the water directly in front of his or her land?

One Website I visited discussed the success of the Surfrider Foundation in fighting a summer ban on surfing in swimming areas. This site, while it is not identical to the age-old dispute in Carteret County, and another site, do provide some good food for thought, however.

http://www.surfrider.org/makingwaves3/newjersey1.htm

http://www.crabnj.com/page8.htm

Atlantic Beach likely will challenge arguments against the surfing boundary by pointing out that the pier owners pay for a "privilege license" to do business in town and that gives them certain "rights." I believe that, too, can be challenged as it pertains to rights over the ocean waters.

Also, we need to weed through some of the hostilities expressed on both sides of the issue and acknowledge that there are some very rude, belligerent surfers who look for confrontation. And, there are some (especially in the summer) some surfer "groupies" who are not very well-behaved and give the rest of the surfing community a black eye. I have witnessed fights and verbal arguments among these beach visitors, who chose to settle their disputes on fishing pier property. Bad form. Those of us who surf or support surfing need to be especially careful of our behavior. We need to hold our tongues when approached by police officers sent to pull the surfers out of the water. Most of the cops don't even want to be there. Some of them surf themselves. Others are not always very polite. But that doesn't mean we should respond in kind. Surfing is a sport, and sportsmanship should rule at all times.

Meanwhile, anyone planning to challenge town officials over the surfing boundary issue might want to further research riparian rights, public trust, and equal access.

I'd like to thank the NEWS-TIMES and Brad Rich for publishing their recent article regarding surfing around Sportsman’s pier. This is an issue that has been around since I started surfing at age 13. I'm now 44 and have a 14 year old that is facing the same hostility I did as a young teenager and adult. I could probably write a book about the entire fiasco that has been occurring over the past three decades surrounding the area know as "Between The Piers". I began working during the summers at Oceanana Resort at age 12 and so began my love of the ocean, surfing and the freedom that this lifestyle provided. I started working as a lifeguard at age 15 and continued for 6 summers. Needless to say, I know the whole story about the Bradleys and how they've spent over 30 years taking advantage of a Town Ordinance which has provided nothing more than an overwhelming hostility between the Bradleys, anyone that simply looks like a surfer and the Town of Atlantic Beach. He has taken it on himself to become the problem, not the solution.

What the public needs to understand is that there is rarely a problem between surfers and fishermen. We get along just fine sharing the ocean and have always managed to find a compromise should a conflict ever occur. As a group, we really hate turning this situation into a personal attack focused toward any one individual, however, this problem is simple: David Bradley. He has decided to dredge up the legacy of poor judgment and prejudice regarding surfing in the ocean around his pier. Years of "bad blood" all over again. There's a simple rule of common courtesy and common sense that has remained shelved whenever this surfing ordinance resurfaces. For unknown reasons the Town of Atlantic Beach appears to take favor for the profits of one, while NOT responding in the best interest of the general public. Surfers live here, pay taxes here, spend their money here, raise families and send their kids to school here. We run businesses providingthe life blood of this tiny community. If this "no surfing" ordinance also applied to swimmers, we'd be witness to a steady decline in tourism on Atlantic Beach.

I really think the Town Board should publicly explain why this ordinance was created in the first place. Is it to provide safety for surfers, or is it to protect the profits of the pier owner? It would have to be something other than those two reasons, because it accomplishes neither. I can swim, raft or boogie board right next to the pier, but I can't even paddle out on my surfboard next to it. There's is absolutely no ordinance that requires the pier owner to be responsible in any way for the safety of persons on, around, or under his property. There's no law that restricts overhead casting, no law that restricts where a fisherman's line can be placed. Would it not be fair to restrict where those fishing lines, hooks and lead sinkers can be projected and placed? One board member even mentioned to me that the fishing lines tend to drift with the current, and suggested that would be "real hard to regulate".... I can tell you it's a lot easier to reel in your fishing line than it is for me to paddle or swim against the current to avoid your fishing line that's drifting further and further away from the pier. While lifeguarding years ago I had to remove many a hook from folks that had simply been walking on the beach. A few even had to be sent to the hospital.

David Bradley made the statement that he doesn't understand why surfers are attracted to his pier and also stated that there's 28 miles of "beach" for surfing, which is simply not true. There is no public parking in PKS, Sheraton charges money to park, and I don't believe any one should be forced to drive 28 miles to surf, searching for a parking spot just because David Bradley doesn't want any surfers near his property or in the ocean near his pier. You can fish absolutely any where and any time you'd like to on that 28 miles. We can only surf when and where there is surf. Any fool should know that if waves were breaking randomly all along Bogue Banks none of us would ever go near Sportsman's, or any other pier. If Mr. Bradley or any Board member would care to educate themselves on the formation of sandbars around piers I'd be glad to locate and provide them with that information.

If you can single out and restrict where surfers are allowed, why not fishing lines? It's the fishing lines, hooks and weights that are the safety hazard. Enforcing any laws placed on the pier owners would certainly be much easier to enforce and keep in check, than chasing surfers out of NC public trust waters every time David Bradley gets in a panic. In the past when a ticket has been written and then taken to court it results in being rejected, providing no collection of the fine for Atlantic Beach. I can't imagine how much it must cost to have several officers come to Sportsman's to stand around on the beach several hours wondering what they should do to pamper David Bradley.

The only reasonable solution is to provide a "buffer" which applies to all people that use these waters around piers, and most importantly, pier fishermen as well. If it's 200 feet or 30 feet, then surfers and swimmers would be required to stay clear, as well, the fishermen's lines would have to remain inside this designated area. Overhead casting from the piers should not be allowed under any circumstances and doing so should carry a heavy fine for both fishermen and the pier owner. This does nothing other than endanger not only those in the waters below, but also those walking or standing on the piers.

Do these suggestions not sound like a fair compromise? The fish are near the piers, in the deeper troughs, feeding on smaller fish in the shadows and around the pilings..... No need to be blindly chunking those weights and hooks as far as possible causing a hazard to everyone.

Mothers, fathers, kids, surfers, fishermen, boaters, tourist, and anyone that believes the ocean is there for us all to enjoy please let the Town of Atlantic Beach know how you feel about this issue and what you think would be fair to all. Call them at (252) 726-2121. Ask them why they believe one or two individuals should be provided with unrestricted control of who can and can't use the oceans around their piers. Ask them how they can determine for what purposes our ocean can be used. Write a letter, make that call, attend the Town meeting on June 17th. Perhaps the Town can provide a reasonable response to so many unanswered questions. We'd all like to see them offer a solution that does not compromise the public enjoyment of our ocean or continue to single out and prejudice any group or individual.

Thanks, we all really need your support....

David Bell / Bell Photography 111 Mansfield PKWY Morehead City NC 28557 (252) 247-1058

"To me, it comes down to respect on both sides," she said in reference to the ongoing battle between surfers and pier owners, most notably David Bradley at Sportsman's Pier in Atlantic Beach.

But last Friday, with several hundred surfers in town for the Mid-Atlantic Regional, things really got rolling, and more than the chest- to head-high waves from a strong southwesterly. Even the police radio a the News-Times got a workout with all the repeated calls and complaints about surfers getting too close to piers and even inciting a near fight by cursing fishermen on the pier.

The only problem was, some of those fishermen were Marines, and it really doesn't make good sense for a mouthy surfer to hurl obscenities when he's a virtual sitting duck with nowhere to run if things get too hairy.

It also doesn't make much sense for fishermen to purposely cast toward surfers, as they did at Fitzpatrick recently at Sportsman's, which she talked about in an article Friday. What if they had hit the mark and gashed her or worse still, put an eye out?

That kind of business, Bradley or any other pier owner doesn't need, whether those anglers hold a season pass or not. The only pass such culprits should be given is a "get out of jail" pass when they've learned their lesson, and they should be barred for an extended period of time, if not life, from the pier where they committed the assault.

It also seems that special consideration could be given surfers during contests and fishermen be asked on contest day that they allow surfers more room to maneuver. After all, there are only six contests for points all year, not counting special events like the regional, and they rotate those contests up and down the coast.

Why doesn't the pier even become a sponsor and offer special discounts to surfers to eat and drink there, or maybe even go fishing that day or another day?

As for normal surfing days, which is over 95 percent of the time surfers are in the water, they should respect the 200-feet limit that Sportsman's Pier and Oceanana Pier, the host of last weekend's regional, impose. After all, that it a very lenient limit. Most other piers, including Emerald Isle, have 500-feet limits.

As for last Friday's incidents, most parties interviewed, including Fitzpatrick, felt that the great majority of the trouble, including the cursing incident, came from out-of-town surfers. That doesn't mean that the Central North Carolina District should never host another regional, but it does mean that ALL surfers should be forewarned that actions such as the cursing incident could lead to disqualification. After all, high schools at most athletic contests promote good sportsmanship over the public address system and say that breaching it could lead to dismissal from the grounds.

You can't take a fish out of water and expect it to live, but you can take a surfer out of the water, and he or she will live to regret it.

The above article is from The Carteret News Times. Since their website does not archive anything I posted it here as tomorrow it might not be there--go figure!

>>>We all need your help with this<<<

Today we have a trickle of NE swell and there s a few heads surfing between the Piers. Bradley at Sportsman s has called in the TROOPS and has five AB cops chasing surfers out of the water, ready and willing to write tickets, which all will end up being thrown out of court due to the fact the law is completely unconstitutional. We all know that these waters are held in North Carolina Trust and are here for us all to enjoy. The US Marshall and the Coast Guard are the only ones that have jurisdiction over these waters. These water are not suppose to be protected for a few to profit from. Mr Bradley has taken it on himself to petition the Town to re-instate the old No Surfing within 500 feet of all piers in Atlantic Beach. According to the AB police chief there will be Town Board will be meeting next Tuesday (I think?) and this could be PASSED in the near future. The “chief” stated that this is probably a done deal .

The only thing at this point which can be done would be getting a few hundred show write letters, attend town meetings and show that they oppose a law written for the sole benefit of one or two individuals. . Possibly this would cause enough media stir to stop this law from being passed and have this entire issue re-thought.

You could really help us. Every surfer with a computer and a net connection hits your site on a daily basis. It s their homepage... First thing they see in the morning!!! You have the quickest access to provide news to our local surfing community. You are a powerful man. You ARE The Man!! It needs to be made clear that we are going to completely lose our civil rights to access and enjoy surfing in Atlantic Beach... PKS and EI will be next. We ll be left with a 500 foot surfing area West of Main Beach if no one gets off their ass to make themselves heard.

David Bradley has only three concerns: Power, Control and PROFIT!! The law should be written 180 degrees in the other direction. It should be the pier owners that are required to, and held responsible for protecting those that use that waters surrounding it. They should be forced by law to move anyone fishing in the areas where surfers or swimmers are using the water s near the piers. If I get hit or hooked, it would be the pier owner that would be liable for any bodily damage that occurs. Consider how many times surfers have saved the lives of swimmers in trouble while at the same time they were breaking the current law of No Surfing Within 200 feet .....

We should organize as many concerned citizens as possible by making our presence heard at this up coming town meeting. We may not be allowed inside, but we sure as heck can have the Town Board be witness to this opposition. Strength in numbers is the bottom line. I think channel 12 (The News Leader?) should be bought in to make this all as public as possible.

PLEASE get something up on your website regarding this.... Cancel the surf report... Make your own statement that might help to get these surfers off their asses and do something besides piss and moan and bitch all the time about everything. Your surf report will be meaningless if we are no longer allowed to surf in Atlantic Beach, which I believe must be the Town s ultimate goal. Surfers will be doing some serious crying this Summer when there is no more surfing between the piers or at Sheraton. When this happens, it s only a matter of time before we have the same surfing restrictions as Wrightsville Beach.....

Thanks In Advance. David Bell (252) 247-1058 (252) 726-7345

Both Hank and Chris have a great team and always want to get more team riders and shops involved. Proof is in what our team riers accomplish. So if you want to join the list of winners like Monique then call Hank or email him STSHAPES@aol.com. Monique also rides for HOtgirls, Flojo's, Capistrano surf-n-sport.

The "circle" isn't the best break on the island by far, but it does give you a good idea about the conditions on the island. And in the summer you'll be able to follow all the exciting volley ball games when it's flat!!

I'm still looking for other places to put other cams, so if you know of any places and you have a contact there, please email me!

For the next couple of weeks we'll be tweaking the image to make it look as best we can.

If you want to sound off about surfing on the east coast or how you "found love" at Bogue Pier, visit the forums.

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