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LANDSHARK PRO
Aaron Cormican wins New Smyrna's first contest in two decades
Photos: All photos: Tupat
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April 5, 2009
13056 visits
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CONDITIONS:
Saturday's final saw waist- to chest-high clean, rippable peaks at Florida's most consistent surf spot. Or as event champion Aaron Cormican puts it, "It was pretty much classic Smyrna conditions."
Aaron Cormican grew up surfing at New Smyrna Beach Inlet and not once during his budding career has his homebreak been blessed with a contest with a serious purse. "I felt the pressure. I had the town on my shoulders," Cormican said after his win. But, of course, in a town chock full of surfing talent, Gorkin's win wasn't a cakewalk. Other NSB shredders Jeremy Johnston, Devin Tresher, and fellow finalist Eric Geiselman all wanted to nail down a W at the 30-year anniversary of the Smyrna Surfari Club's yearly event. |
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Add in guys like Shea Lopez, Brian Hewitson, and Asher Nolan as well as some serious cash up for grabs thanks to Landshark beer, and it was one of the best things "the other inlet" has seen in decades. Plus, it's rumored to turn into something bigger in the years to come. "It was a really cool event," Cormican smiled, $6000 richer. "It was one of those that, even if you lost, you're stoked. Plus, for every heat you won, you got a free beer." HIGHLIGHTS: Aside from Gorkin comboing the final in the first five minutes, it was also an emotional win for Cormican and the tight-knit NSB community. "My dad paddled out in the legends division after not surfing for five years," Cormican said, of his father's bounce back from multiple brain surgeries. "It was really special. The whole beach was clapping." As with any sunny springtime weekend in NSB, there were plenty of extra-curricular activities going on. After all, you can drive and park your car right on the beach at the inlet. Sunglass mogul Greg Arnette "crept" up on the contest sight in his helicopter and buzzed the crowd with a few flybys. Ronny Hope was keeping the line-up regulated as usual. And guys like David Chambers and Matt Duffy came out of the woodworks to watch Gorkin take the inaugural win. "All in all, it was a great vibe," Cormican mused. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We all know we need to take each other out. But we're all still friends." -- Aaron Cormican, about the cutthroat competition between the local rippers. RESULTS: 1st Aaron Cormican $6000 2nd Brian Hewitson $3000 3rd Asher Nolan $2000 4th Eric Geiselman $1000 MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |