Local pros and surf “groms” compete in Void PRO/AM surf competition

Kevin Beaugrand

Correction* 8/2 10:19 a.m.: The original publication of this article stated that the retro “fish” board were supplied by the Surfboard Warehouse. However, the were actually supplied by the Surf Boardroom.


Will Vogt
Surfer Jerry Schaefer stalls for the tube.

Hundreds turned out to Jacksonville Beach on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29 to watch the Void PRO/AM surf competition. Florida surfers generally dread the summer doldrums, when significant swells rarely make their way to the Atlantic shore, but the contest took place in above-average surf for the middle of July with clean two-to-three-footers rolling through during both mornings.

The Void PRO/AM contest, which was presented by Kona Brewing Co., featured men’s, women’s and a longboard pro division, all competing over a $3,500 prize purse. Additionally, amateur divisions gave young surfers from the community the chance to participate in the competition.

The Twin Fin Challenge, however, was a unique fixture at the Void PRO/AM. Competitors surfed different colored copies of a retro style “fish” surfboard, supplied by The Surf Boardroom. The winner, Cory Howell, was given his pick of the litter of boards.

The stacked men’s pro final saw pier fixture Asher Nolan go up against brothers Cody, Evan and Tristan Thompson, all members of Jacksonville Beach’s most dominant surf clan. Shock filled the air during the awards ceremony at Surfer [The Bar] when Nolan won the first place, taking home a $1,250 check.

Eden Lange took home the $250 top prize in the women’s pro division, while Dylan Andrews won the same amount by taking first place in the longboard pro division.

UNF Surf Team members Luke French and Jackson Santora also competed but didn’t make the podiums.

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