Turkey Classic Video by Lee Inabinett

http://www.virb.com/fromredtoviolet/videos/31275

Results in the Next Issue of ESM

Be on the lookout for the next issue of Eastern Surf Magazine (www.easternsurf.com). They are posting the results of the Turkey Classic, and may be including one of Perry Knott's photos as well. Thanks, ESM!

Contest Results Published

Yesterday's St. Augustine Record published the contest results. Might be too late to get a paper now, so I took a photo of the page so that you can save it if you want.

Surfline.com and Surfersvillage.com also received the contest review article. Not sure if they will post it or not on their press release pages, but doesn't hurt to try!

Crispers Turkey Classic Review

Thanks-Giving
It seems like we get taught a lesson in thankfulness every year at the Turkey Classic. The past few years, the long-range forecast for the event always seems bleak, only to change at the last moment and provide fun surf. The idea to "pray for surf" is not just a slogan, but a foundation which we have leaned upon. We thank the Lord that blessed us during the weekend with good surf! Here are some highlights from this year's Turkey Classic:

Title Sponsor - Crispers came on board to sponsor the event as the title sponsor. They provided a great meal for all the competitors during the Saturday night banquet.
Saturday's Surf - After a brief shot of onshore wind the previous day, the waves held all day at waist to chest high, with the occasional larger set.
Josh Autrey - Josh won all three events he entered (which were all the most hotly contested), and every preliminary heat, going 11/11 overall.
10th Street - Although the parking was limited, the sandbar at 10th Street stayed true all weekend long. The lack of a deep trough allowed most waves to break all the way to the beach during the midday high tide.
4 Person Heats - All heats had only 4 competitors, making it easy to catch a lot of waves during the heats and keep the surfers happy.
Team Event - The hotly contested Team event was a treat to watch as 2-person teams surfed strategically to get an edge over the competition.
Photos and Video Highlights - During the Saturday banquet, the days best waves, beach events, and lifestyle shots were put together for a photo and video slideshow.

Thanks: God for sending us waves for the weekend, all the volunteers who served, and the competitors who showed up despite the 30 degree morning air temperatures and poor surf forecast. See you next year!

Link to 471 photos taken by Perry Knotts during Saturday's heats - www.perryknotts.com/turkey_classic

Costa Crown Heat Sheet Results

Women's Heat Sheets Results

Specialty Divisions Heat Sheets Results

Longboard Heat Sheets Results

Shortboard Heat Sheets Results

Sunday Schedule - Adjustment - Shortened

The Costa Crown divisions didn't fill up today like they did last year. That left a lot of half-filled sheets. I just condensed Sunday's schedule to reflect this.

Crispers Turkey Classic Schedule

Costa Crown Heat Sheets

Women's Heat Sheets

Specialty Divisions Heat Sheets

Longboard Heat Sheets

Shortboard Heat Sheets

Waves on the Way

Just got the forecast for this weekend, and it looks like it's going to be a good one. With typical contest director enthusiasm, I'm overlooking the fact that forecasts are constantly changing! Right now, Surfline says that Saturday will be 3-4 foot with fair form and light and variable winds. Today had similar conditions, and 10th Street was really fun during the morning high tide. Sign up for Surfline premium membership for more details (www.surfline.com).

Event Site Moved 6 Blocks South to 10th Street

There is no sand at the Pier, so the event site has moved to 10th Street. This is about a 1/2 mile south of the pier, where there is much more beach to set up our tents and scaffolding. When traveling south on A1A, look for the Castillo Real hotel (pictured, right), and turn there. Parking in this area is limited to 25 spaces on 10th Street, 20 on 8th Street, and 15 on 13th Street. There is more parking on the West side of A1A in the neighborhoods, and anywhere else that has a public parking sign. There is plenty of parking at the pier, should you choose to walk from there.

Special thanks to Max Royle, City Manager of St. Augustine Beach for approving our permit to hold the contest here. Please be respectful to the residents of 10th Street so that Mr. Royle's office does not receive any complaints about us.

Expression Session Details

I've gotten a few questions about the Expression Session, so I thought a rundown is in order. The ES is a special event that is probably unlike any other you have surfed in your life. Instead of being judged "two to the beach" in typical contest format, the ES will highlight the most progressive and impressive surfing of the contest. You will be judged on a single maneuver only. The judges write down a score when they see a good maneuver. They won't even write down a score if the wave you surf is just an up and down. It is a lot of work for them, but a lot of fun for the competitors. The ES will have a longer heat time than the normal heats, have unlimited wave count, and "gentleman's" interference rules (no official interference). The ES will also be run during the best day of waves for the weekend, so we won't know which day until right before the contest. The finals of the ES will have a cash purse of $500 best single maneuver and $250 best overall wave. Space is limited, sign up soon!

Contest Poster

Live Webcast!

We are going to webcast the Turkey Classic, live, courtesy of www.synchronicitylive.com. They are a web-based business that is going to broadcast the finals of the Expression Session. We are very excited to have them on board, and are looking forward to the results. This will be the first time a St. Augustine surfing event has had a live webcast!

Perry Knotts to Shoot the Crispers Turkey Classic

Renowned surf photographer Perry Knotts has agreed to shoot the event. Look for him and his 500mm lens to be on the beach during the contest, sure to catch the action you bring to the water. Perry will be showing his photos at the banquet at RB Hunt Elementary on Saturday evening, following the final amateur heats. (photo: Clay Marzo by Perry Knotts)

Costa Crown & Team Divisions to run Sunday the 18th

All the Costa Crown and Team events will be run on Sunday only. There are multiple contests happening that same weekend, so moving to Sunday is the best way to have the most competitors in attendance. The official schedule will be posted 2-3 days before the event, after the entry forms are picked up from the local shops and the PO Box mailing address.

The Crispers Turkey Classic

We have a Platinum/Title Sponsor! One of the Turkey Classic team members approached a local restaurant, Crispers, to ask if they would be interested in sponsoring the event this year. With much appreciation we welcome Crispers to the 2007 Turkey Classic as the title sponsor. We look forward to their involvement with the event and the good that will come out of their support. THANKS, CRISPERS! (by the way, the St. Augustine location is on SR 312 in the Cobblestone shopping center)

Costa Crown Questions???

Click on the image to the right to answer all the questions you never knew you had about the Costa Crown. If that didn't answer them, you can always call or e-mail - casey@christiansurfers.com or (904) 471-4308