Last weekend over five dozen year-round resident surfers came from numerous Cape Cod towns to compete in the fourth annual Cape Cod Surf Challenge at the Orleans beaches. The contest is traditionally held in early October, with a two week waiting period so that organizers can score the best conditions for the contest and the competitors. This year was no different than prior years except that another week outside of the waiting period was needed to deliver the waist to chest high waves, with welcomed unconditionally warm temperatures and off shore winds for the event.
The contest organizers, Matt Richards and Brendan McCray put in countless hours of networking and organizing to get things right so that the competitors could just show up, sign in and surf in front of three judges, a hundred spectators on the beach and be in the water with only six competitors at any one time. When they show up, “Its game time” says McCray , “ we want to deliver the best event we can, the stoke, the waves and waiting period are a very big part of it!”.
This year went off with out a hitch as nine divisions were carved out to create a competitive arena for the competitors, who all were breathing heavily after it was all done. “This event seems to really bring together the entire surfing community on Cape Cod ” said Richards, who co-founded this event with McCray.
“It is just so fun to rally everyone together, the young and the old. I want to thank everyone for all the effort they put into having this event. I am sure that goes for everyone that walked out of each heat and got to spend the day on the beach surfing” said Rosie Hatch one of the female Wellfleet competitors.
The event could not have been as successful as it was with out the support of the local surf shop and their prominent surf manufactures and suppliers that provided the finalist and the others with prizes and swag. A big MAHALO goes out to all of our local surf shops, managers and employees at The Boarding House in Hyannis, Nauset Sports and The Pump House in Orleans, Little Over Head Surf & Kite Shop in Eastham & Sick Day Surf Co. in Wellfleet.
“All of the shops had seasoned riders and employees competing in the event, making the competition even more challenging” according to Marc Angelillo, starter & commentator for the surf event.
The awards ceremony was held and hosted at the Land-Ho restaurant in Orleans with a generous first place prize given to the winner of the freshman & under shortboard division being a Vec Surfboard donated by a local shaper himself Shawn Vecchione.
The following results were the top three finishers in each division:
Shortboard Division:
Freshman and under: 1) Mike Viprino 2) Tony Severdija 3) (tied) Taylor McDade & Hanau Puchukas
High School: 1) Lyle McCutchon 2) Dan Meagan 3) Cole Daphine
Intermediate Open: 1) John Mc Laughlin 2) Igor Coura 3) Jesse Kinane
Open 18 – 29: 1) Josh Clements 2) Shaye Cavanaugh 3) Eric Dranginis
Open 30 plus: 1) Adam Laurel 2) John Murphy 3) Matt Richards
Women’s: 1) Mercy Reid 2) (tied) Rachael Finn & Katy Weeks 3) Rosy Hatch
Longboard Division:
Intermediate open: 1) Bret Carlson 2) John Mc Laughlin 3) Headily
Women’s Open: 1) Mercy Reid 2) Miranda Kilpinski 3) Rosy Hatch
Men’s Open: 1) Justin Dalby 2) Marc Angelillo 3) Brendan McCray
A very special "THANK YOU" goes out to The Orleans Parks & Recreation Department for supporting the contest once again! It definitely would not be a success without their continued support!
