Many may not know this but Virginia Beach has its own little US Open of Surfing. They call it ECSC or East Coast Surfing Championships. It may not have as much money thrown into the circus just yet but it no doubt is a circus. I came out about 3 days ago to start setting up the live broadcast for the the Vans Pro and the Vans Pro Jr. Yesterday was our final set up day and we made it till about 5pm when we were evacuated from the beach because of an electrical storm and tornado warnings. Welcome to the East Coast I guess. I am helping set up the production and then am directing the webcast for Vans. We are stoked to be out here involved with the whole thing at ECSC. Now if I can find some damn coffee . . .
Most people see the US Open as a good time to get that new Skullcandy body stencil painted on your lower back or maybe you wanted to go stand amongst ten thousand of your closest friends and wait in line for the bathroom after eating a chili dog. For me I prefer to watch the webcast. Parking alone is enough frustration to get me over it. Luckily this year my duties at the Open were pretty sweet. Here is how I spent my time down there.
Day 1: Halfway into the event I decided to go show face. Arriving around noon I finally found a parking spot an hour later and 5 miles away. I picked up my All Access pass and some extra wristbands and headed to the media compound. I meet with the head of Gearhouse Broadcasting to talk about how they are handling all the media production for the US Open. Said hi to some friends, hangout in the Production Trailer with the director and the crew. After talking about the gear at the event I headed to Surfline for a “meeting”. It was more of a “meeting” and not just a meeting cause they had just gotten there 16 kegs of Pasifico for there parties they throw over the weekend. Needless to say we tested the merchandise. Pre-party party.
Day2: This was my only day of shooting. Nike asked me to document a program they support called Stoked Mentoring. Stoked takes inner city kids to the beach to learn how to surf along other action sports. Its a rad program that imposers inner city youth to participate in some positive alternatives than they are normally given. (see video below).
Day3: Backstage with Jimmy Eats World. VIP viewing of US Open sea of people. Surfline party with open bar. Adios US Open. Until next time.
I was looking for some inspiration in this lazy Sunday afternoon for this upcoming power week. There are a couple things that I find memorizing, the American West during manifest destiny and 1800′s nautical imagery. I love wondering how life was way back when and pondering over the crazy explorers and adventurers of the time. Native Americans and Salty Sea Dogs.
Here are a couple images inspired by the classic novel by Herman Melville, Moby Dick. I think I’m pumped for next week.
You may have heard about my exciting shoot I had the other night down in San Diego for the Nike Chosen tour. (You can read about it here). Anyways here is the end result.
