Barbie Belyea - New Jersey Barbie Belyea, a 2012 ECSHOF Inductee, grew up in Ocean City NJ just as it was becoming a hotbed of competitive surfing. She began surfing in the mid-60s and rapidly developed into one of the top competitive surfers on the East Coast. A goofy foot, her surf style was described as a female Wayne Lynch, smooth and radical, quite the description for a 14-year-old East Coast native. Belyea quickly climbed the competitive ladder winning the East Coast Championship in 1969 and in 1970 finishing 3rd in the World Surfing Championship held at Johanna, Australia. In that event, Belyea finished ahead of the legendary 2x World Champion Joyce Hoffman and top California surfer Jericho Poppler. Numerous surf publications, specifically Australia Surfing World, took note on their editorial pages of Belyea’s surfing skills and her performance at the well-publicized World Contest. Sponsored by Weber Surfboards and later Gordon & Smith, she won the first women’s pro surfing contest on the East Coast in 1972. Belyea retired from competing in the mid-70s and moved to Hawaii where she still resides. #BarbieBelyea #SurfingChampion #EastCoastSurfing #GoofyFoot #SurfHistory #FemaleSurfer #NewJerseySurf (fb)

PRESS RELEASE: CJ Hobgood Joins the Board of Directors! World Champion Becomes the Newest Member of the Board ASBURY PARK, NJ, Wednesday, March 26, 2025 – The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame has announced that 2001 WSL (ne ASP) World Champion CJ Hobgood has joined the Board of Directors. Hobgood, who had numerous ESA and NSSA Championships under his belt before turning pro, is pleased to be giving back to the sport that gave so much to him. “I love the sport of Surfing and the lifestyle it has provided for my family and me,” commented Hobgood during a recent call. “With my post-pro surfing career well underway, now is the time for me to give back to the sport I love, and to East Coast Surfing, as it’s obviously in my blood.” “The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is committed to strengthening our Board with individuals who bring both competitive experience and industry insight,” remarked president Gary Germain. “CJ Hobgood was a clear choice—his achievements in professional surfing, deep connection to the East Coast community, and dedication to preserving the sport’s history make him an invaluable addition. We look forward to his leadership and contributions as we continue advancing ECSHOF initiatives for years to come.” As the 2001 ASP World Tour Champion, Hobgood is a member of an elite crew of professional World Champions from the East Coast that includes Frieda Zamba and Lisa Andersen, both East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Inductees, and Kelly Slater, who undoubtedly will one day be in the Hall of Fame. Hobgood began his championship run winning the ESA’s Menehune Division in 1991 followed by the NSSA East Coast Men’s Champion in 1994, NSSA National Junior Champion in 1995, the 1997 NSSA East Coast Men’s Champion and the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games Champion. He was a fearless aerial surfer and a big wave barrel rider at Pipeline, Cloudbreak and Teahupo’o. Hobgood and twin brother Damien have held Camp Hobgood annually for rising pros in training. He was a founding partner in Salty Crew apparel and owns a real estate practice in the Melbourne, Florida area. CJ Hobgood was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in 2022. (fb)