In the beginning...
There was Sean O'Hare,
the Dooley family's kind donation of space in the Natural Art Surf Shop and Crescent Beach.
The first WATERMANS CHALLENGE was held in June of 2001 at Cescent Beach, across the street from the Natural Art surf shop.
It was conceived as a small event put together by the Museum to provide a fun contest experiance
and to serve as a positive introduction to contest surfing for younger Surfers.
At the first WATERMANS CHALLENGE things were pretty spartan. A few chairs less than there were judges,
some beach umbrellas, creative parking. But there was a good turnout of Surfers and some fun little waves for them to share.
The Saturday night party was held in the Natural Art parking lot, and they left the shop open so people could browse the Museum.
It was above all else fun.
It was decided that the first WATERMANS CHALLENGE was so much fun that it should be done again the following year.
Each year the consensus has been the same; "that was fun, we should do it again next year".
Now, nine years later, The WATERMANS (as it has come to be known) is still fun, so we'll do it again this year.
As with all things, time has brought a few changes.
The contest site has moved a few times but has settled in for the last few years
at the International Palms Resort (formerly holiday inn), adjacent to Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.
Parking space is in abundance, there are enough chairs for Judges and support staff, and we have a few tents for shade.
The Saturday night party has evolved from a pot luck into the Luau.
Fortunately some things have not changed.
Sean O'Hare's Luck of the stylish keeps us in contestable surf every year.
In order to keep the grass-roots low key fun aspect of the event a cap has been placed on the number of entrants
(so far we've never reached the cap in any division, so everyone gets to surf).
In support of keeping the event family friendly no alcohol, energy drink, or adult themed sponsorship is accepted.
There is no elaborate multi-story scaffolding. Judges and support staff are kept at beach level, keeping it a good time among Surfers.
And the Saturday night Luau;
Its not the gravely toe-stubbing Natural Art parking lot with cars passing by at high speeds a few feet away,
But we still gather the tribe to enjoy good food and music, talk story, remember those that have gone to that perfect point break in the sky, and make some new friends.
Most importantly, we always have fun.