2009 Contest Policy

Please Read Carefully

Download a membership form

Download an entry form
(You may also enter online on the schedule page.)

Contest Fees: All ages: $20 for the 1st event, $10 for each additional

Family membership: $30 for the first division,

$5 for each additional division

*Must buy a membership in each division surfed*

Contest sign up by Tuesday before the contest. Drop Boxes are located at Pipeline Surf Shop. Your mailed entry's must be postmarked by the Saturday before the contest so they are received in time.

Beach Entry's: Beach entry's will be taken the day of the contest at 7:45 on a first come basis. Heats will not be added.

Emergency's: For some reason an emergency comes up and you can't attend the contest, email or call Ms Julie by Friday morning of the contest. Make sure you get a reply. Your entry will be rolled over to the next contest.

No Show's: If you do not come to the contest, you do not get a refund. Please see the above emergency statement.

Regionals: 3A only, must surf in 50% of our contests to qualify. Membership must be current as of 12/31 or competitor will go to bottom of the list of qualifiers regardless of rank.

Hotline #: 891-3032. Will be used to post important information about district events, go/no go on contest mornings, etc.

Website: http://fcfl.surfesa.org/index.htm Please use for important updates, entry forms, schedules of our contests and other area contests, pictures, etc.

Schedule: The schedule will be posted and the heat sheets for the contest on the board. It is your responsibility to be at the contest before your heat. Times are an estimate and note that we can condense heats throughout the day. Please plan to spend the day on the beach!!!!

Age divisions: All competitors must surf in appropriate age divisions. May not surf up or down as per ESA policy.

How to participate in our contests: To participate in ESA/First Coast contests, one must first join the Eastern Surfing Association. Memberships must be renewed yearly during the month joined. Other membership benefits include a year's subscription to Trans World Surf (allow 6-8 weeks for first delivery), discounts at local surf shops, eligibility to upper level competitions & educational scholarships.

Contest Sign-ups: Entry forms for our contests will be placed in area surf shops (see contest policy) about 1- 2 weeks prior to each event. Completed forms and entry money (see contest policy) can be left at the surf shop no later than TUESDAY , before the contest. For those living outside the Fernandina Beach area, mail your completed entry form (see contest policy) to sign up. Same deadline applies.

The Birthday Rule and our Season: The First Coast season generally starts in early spring and finishes in Oct. or Nov. This may vary slightly from year to year. We usually attempt to run six point contests each year. We also offer specialty events, like a Team Challenge or a Surf Clinic.  Your competition age group is determined by your age as of January 1st of the year following our season's end. For example, during the summer of the 2008 competition season, your competition age is determined by how old you will be on January 1st, 2008. It is possible that a surfer who is 14 years old for most of the season could end up surfing in Junior Men if that person turns 15 in Nov. or Dec.

Trophies & Awards Banquet: Medals/Trophies are awarded at the end of the season for the Novice Menehune, Menehune, Boys, and Girls Divisions. Season plaques are awarded at the end of the season at our annual Awards Banquet/End of the Year Party to our top 6 competitors in each division who compete in at least 3 contests. We also work with local surf shops and businesses to try to provide prizes and raffles at the banquet.

District Website: First Coast uses a district website to communicate important information to our membership. Visit http://fcfl.surfesa.org/index.htm to see our season schedule, contest policy, points, download entry forms, ESA rules, photos, contest results, and the latest news from our district. Visit often as the website will be updated regularly.

Volunteerism & the need for help: All members of the Eastern Surfing Association are volunteers. We are in constant need of help to keep our district running smoothly. We welcome help in the form of judges, tabulators, photographers, fund-raisers, judge coordinators, equipment help (set up and breakdown), guest directors, & journalists