If you asked anyone within the few days leading up to the start of the 2015 Belmar Pro their outlook on the wave forecast for the event, you would have been met with plenty of discouragement and little faith in the wave outlook. But among the BP staff, we know better than to *assume* anything and simply wake up the morning of each contest and greet the ocean with what it gives us. Because some how, some way (we are starting to wonder if contest director and owner of Eastern Lines Surf Shop, Don Tarrant, signed some secret deal, in blood, to make SURE we have waves) … waves happen! There IS a reason we schedule the event when we do every year and this year justified that factor in the most literal, ironic and magical of ways:
Up till within two days of event start, the forecast predicted 1-2ft waves at best, if not flat, then, like magic, within 48hrs of “go-time” Tropical Storm Henri literally popped out of nowhere and just like that: WHALLAH – Super fun, very contestable 2-4ft surf blessed the event for all 4 days, getting just a little better each day, ending in chest/shoulder high peeling peaks with light offshore winds all day for Finals day! Monday (today): Back to FLAT! … We are convinced this phenomenal freak of nature was just for us, and has earned a new hashtag for our event: #BPmagic
Re-Peats and Three-Peats:
Winning here for the third time, returning champ Michael Dunphy earned the QS1000 title over Puerto Rico legend Brian Toth in decisive fashion – posting an 8.17 and 6.17. Despite the torrential downpour that sent the beach and staff into a frenzied scramble the final fifteen minutes, Dunphy held on to his lead until the final horn against an in-form Toth.
Honorary Belmar Local from North Carolina, Tony Silvagni continued his absolute dominance by working his magic feet to his 7th World Jeep Longboard title here in Belmar! Maneuvering his longboard as if it was a shortboard, Tony slithered past his finalist competitors with total dominance. One day this guy might get a rock donated to him next to legend Cecil Lear’s if he keeps this up!
Another 3x winner came in the form of returning Jr Pro champ Parker Coffin of the Santa Barbara Coffin Brothers fame. Parker has also become somewhat of a local at this event and definitely exudes top-level professional surfing skills! Parker battled for his FINS Pro Junior title against a heavy-hitter heat with Noah Schweizer (USA), Elijah Gates (HAW), and Josh Burke of Barbados. Going wave for wave with Schweizer in the final minutes, Coffin earned the better of the exchanges and was stoked with his first North America Junior Series win of the year.
North Carolina native, tour vet, and long time Belmar Pro competitor, Ben Bourgeois while not defending his title in the main Mens event, convincingly took out the Masters Final. I guess we can still call this one a “re-peat” win!
Fresh Faces on the Podium:
Winning the Womens Final in an exciting wave-for-wave battle royale against NJ’s Maddie Petersen, Cassidy MacClean and Savannah Bradley, Dax McGill came out victorious after laying down some serious turns.
Taking the Legends win in some very fun peeling waves off the 18th ave jetty, California’s Mike Lamm took home the first place position in the 2015 Kingdom Legends Pro.
~ Mark Sisom
Here are your official 2015 Pacifico Belmar Pro Results brought to you by Eastern Lines:
Pacifico WSL Belmar Pro Mens QS1000: 1. Michael Dunphy 14.84, 2. Brian Toth 11.67
FINS WSL Jr Pro QS1000: 1. Parker Coffin 13.90, 2. Noah Schweizer 12.44, 3. Joshua Burke 11.50, 4. Elijah Gates 9.80
Pacifico Womens Pro: 1. Dax McGill 12.53, 2. Savannah Bradley 9.47, 3. Maddie Peterson 9.07, 4. Cassidy McClain 7.77
Just Bones Masters Pro: 1. Ben Bourgeois 16.17, 2. Randy Townsend 11.53, 3. Jeff Myers 6.93, 4. Dean Randazzo 5.73
World Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram Longboard Pro: 1. Tony Silvagni 17.00, 2. Fisher Grant 12.10, 3. Steve McLean 9.97, 4. Kevin Dewald 7.33
Kingdom Legends Final: 1. Mike Lamm 14.74, 2. Jesse Fernandez 8.77, 3. Gary Finnegan 8.26, 3. Paul Pallitto 6.13
See below for Day 4 photos by ChristorPhotography.comand an aerial highlights edit by Billbaroo Productions & RAF
