June Surfing Report

“Eastern Surfing Association Georgia District News”

by Joe Richardson

by Joe Richardson

ESA Contest Schedule for 2010:

The 2010 ESA-GA District surfing and bodyboarding contest schedule has been approved, and the first contest is coming soon.  Not only are these contests competitive for surfers of all ages and abilities, but they are the pathway leading to higher levels of competition at regional and national levels as well.  So the competition is for real.

But as most ESA participants (and their families) will tell you, the contests are more FUN than anything.  People wait for the schedule to come out, put those dates (Saturdays) on their calendars, and plan other weekends around those contest weekends.  If you haven’t participated in our GA District ESA contests before, I encourage you to give it a try.

Enjoy the camaraderie, the fun, and the rush of competition. For more information about our GA District ESA activities, see the facebook page: or email: surftybee@aol.com

So, here are the dates and sign-in times for the 2010 contest season.  Contests are usually held near 17th Street.

June 19th   8:30
July 17th    7:30
July 31st    7:30
Aug 14th   7:00
Sept 11th   7:00
Oct 2nd     10:00
Oct 16th    10:00

Skim Boarding Contest

The 7th annual 17th SB Skim Contest is teaming up this year with Skim Invasion for the “Tybee Island Take Over 2010” skim board contest.  This will also be on Saturday, June 19th, from 9am til 7pm.  Contest site will be either the North Beach jetty or 2nd Street.  For more information Check the Facebook Event Page at: facebook.com. Also, check out Skim Invasion’s website to see the list of great prizes they are going to be awarding.  This is big-time skim boarding competition coming to Tybee.  Skim Invasion’s website is: skiminvasion.com/events/contests/tybee-island/. See you there on Saturday!!!

Important Announcement

A quick and important announcement before getting into the June surfing report.  On Saturday morning, June 19th (before the ISD and ESA events get underway) at 9:30am, all members and friends of the Tybee surfing community are invited to participate in a PADDLE OUT in memory of one of our surfing family members, Charles Pidgeon, who passed away last winter.  Please gather on the beach near 17th Street a few minutes before 9:30am, and feel free to bring some flowers for the paddle out circle.  Whether you knew Charles or not, you are invited to participate in this traditional surfers’ ceremony for one of our surfer brothers or sisters.

June Surfing Update

Those pesky Lions Mane jellyfish have finally dwindled, and now we should have a few months of warm water and pleasant surfing conditions before the Sea Wasps show up in late July and early August.  Late May also brought a few days of head-high surf while a low-pressure system sat offshore for awhile.  During some afternoons of that week there were 50-70 surfers in the water at any one time down at South Beach.  Hopefully this is just the beginning of a good surfing summer.  With the crowds, though, be considerate of others, including swimmers, and wear a leash.  And a quick congratulations to Josh Richardson who was recently notified that he has earned a slot and has been invited to surf in the Surfing America USA Championships in the Junior Longboard division, June 19-28, at Huntington Beach and Lower Trestles, California.

International Surfing Day Celebration, Saturday June 19th

Tybee’s annual surfing “event” is coming up this month, International Surfing Day.  The Coastal Georgia Low Country Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will be sponsoring our ISD celebration on Saturday, June 19th, on the beach between 17th and 18th Street.  Some national sponsors will be providing some goodies, but the real stars of our celebration are our local supporters, partners and sponsors.  Many of them will be bringing and providing equipment for us to try out in our Tybee Surf.  Others are providing services both off and on the beach, like lessons and sponsoring activities.  Some will be giving away samples.  And others will be providing and distributing information of interest to surfers and non-surfers.  So there will be plenty for everyone.  Celebrate “the longest day of the year” in the surf on beautiful, healthy Tybee Beach!

The Coastal Georgia Low Country Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation would like to thank in advance the long list of supporters and sponsors for our 2010 International Surfing Day Celebration.

These are the people and businesses that make our celebration happen:

Tybee Island Marine Science Center – displaying common beach animals
Eastern Surfing Association Georgia District – providing PA equipment and contest
North Island Surf and Kayak – providing kayaks, SUP’s and instruction
Photography by Joey Wilson – providing professional photography for our surfers year-round
Tybee Island YMCA – providing surfing lessons and boards
Underground Boardworks – providing boards (and probably some surprises!)
Coastal Environmental Analysis – providing publicity and computer/printing services
High Tide Surf Shop – providing surf boards, SUP’s, and other equipment for use
The Tybee Times – providing professional print and electronic publicity
Savannah Bee Company – providing some delicious give-aways (don’t miss these)
Smart Girls Who Surf – providing skin care and sunscreen information and samples
Tubby’s Tank House – provides the Surfriders with a place to meet every month
Yoga With Christine – providing yoga on the beach
Surf-Vival Reef Friendly Sunscreens – providing sunscreen samples and skin care information
Half Moon Outfitters – providing equipment and displays and instruction

For more information visit: surfesa.org, or call: 912-897-6651,

“Forever Tybee”

by Sandy Major

Forever Tybee is a non-partisan political action committee formed by a group of concerned Tybee voters and property owners.

During a recent Forever Tybee Potluck Dinner members had an opportunity to ask Council members Kathryn Williams, Paul Wolff and Frank Schuman questions about City issues. Bill Garbett was unable to attend but provided the group with his insights through a letter read for the group.  It was a highly informative session for all involved. Another similar event will be scheduled in the fall.

Forever Tybee will also hold fundraisers and social events in the coming months.

Many of our members have been lucky enough to call Tybee home all of our adult lives. Others moved here and have lived on Tybee from 6 to 20 years. We all realize how fortunate we are to call Tybee home now. Regardless of where we’re from or how long we’ve lived here, we all share a strong commitment to Tybee’s future.

Forever Tybee is committed to supporting City Council candidates who adhere to the following core values:

• Protecting Tybee’s beaches & marshes, artistic & historical treasures, small businesses, and the unique character of the Island
• Upholding the City Charter, Master Plan, a meaningful Ethics Ordinance and all other  city laws, codes, and ordinances
• Demonstrating strong fiscal responsibility and knowledge of financial principles
* Listening objectively and respectfully to citizens and members of City Committees presenting at Council Meetings
* Respecting the City Manager form of government by avoiding direct involvement in the day-to-day operations of the City.

During the months ahead Forever Tybee hopes to attract others who are interested in supporting Ethical, Open and Transparent Government on Tybee Island. For membership information please visit our website at forevertybee.com. This website, keeps members informed about the activities of the organization.

In the near future it will also feature a section about Council voting.

VISIT: http://www.forevertybee.com

The Songwriter’s Circle” featuring Joni Bishop, Darryl Wise and “Jimmy Maddox!”

The Tybee Post Theater’s 80th Birthday Celebration, and First ‘Live’ Performance in Over 40 Years!

ONLY 100 tickets will be sold for this event!!!

On Saturday, June 5th, 2010, the Tybee Post Theater will open its doors and raise the curtain (so to speak) for the very first time in over 40 years!  This year, 2010 also marks the theater’s 80th birthday, and the evening’s “live” performance in the building will feature four extraordinary musicians – two singer/songwriter soloists – Joni Bishop, and Darryl Wise, and duo, Jimmy Maddox and Bobby Hanson.  (Due to a medical emergency, Michael Amburgey will not be performing.)

Joni Bishop, from Nashville, got her first guitar at age 9, and her career as a singer-songwriter is well established on the American folk music scene. She’s toured extensively throughout the US and Europe, and her distinctive songwriting, vocals, and finger-style guitar has not only won her recognition in many noted song festivals here and abroad, she also landed a staff-writing deal with Galleon Music Publishing Co. in Los Angeles before arriving in Nashville in 1989. She’s a “New Folk” winner in the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, has recorded for CBS Records, BWE Records and released 5 CDs on her own independent label, Polestar Records. Joni’s songs have been recorded by other artists as well, among them country singer Crystal Gayle, pop group 3T, Australian country artist Shanly Dell and numerous folk artists and bluegrass groups. Her music continues to receive airplay around the country on Americana, college and public radio.

Darryl Wise is no stranger to Tybee audiences. Now based in Saint Augustine, Florida, the Savannah native lived on Tybee for many years, and played music more recently with locals like Georgia Kyle Shiver and the Back River Ramblers. But Darryl has been playing since the mid 1970′s, and has opened shows and performed with artists ranging from Los Lobos, Tears for Fears, Steve Riley and Mamou Playboys to folk legend Tom Paxton. In 2004, he performed in Nashville at a Bluebird Cafe “Songwriters in the Round” showcase, along with other Georgia artists Tony Arata, Pat Algers and Tom Douglas. His first, and long awaited CD, “Many Miles” was released in 2008 – a compilation of originals he’d written and performed through out the years. A second CD, “Reflections” followed soon after in 2009. Darryl is passionate about his songwriting, and his ability to move an audience is well-known. According to Hank Weisman, of the Savannah Folk Music Society, Darryl is “the finest folk singer/songwriter, and most accomplished guitar player to ever emerge from the Savannah area.”

Bobby Hanson and Jimmy Maddox have been musical colleagues for over forty years. Both being native to the Savannah area, they have been mainstays of Savannah’s musical history. Bobby is known for his prowess on the harmonica and his powerful, plaintiff vocals. Jimmy is a fabulous keyboard player and a talented singer as well. Together, they fronted the legendary Joja Band as it made its mark on local pop culture. The band featured many songs penned by Hanson and Maddox. In recent years, Bobby appears with his other lifelong friend and songwriting partner, Michael Amburgey and his “Cockroach Blues” anchored an advertising campaign by Yates-Astro exterminators. Jimmy is working clubs, doing concerts and playing on cruise ships as his musical career flourishes.

The theater is still undergoing renovations, but restroom facilities, and concessions will be available – all proceeds to the theater. Remember to bring your lawn chair – or better yet, a blanket or seat cushion to sit on the slanted floor.  Indeed, you’ll be “roughing it” for this concert, but it’s sure to be an evening of quality entertainment – and a memorable birthday celebration that marks the beginning of a wonderful new era of performances in Tybee’s vintage theater.

REMEMBER to bring your lawn chairs and cushions – there are no seats in the building!

SPACE IS LIMITED to the first 100 tickets under the theater’s temporary certificate of occupancy.  Tickets may be purchased online, and also at the door, but it will be a sell-out, so don’t wait.

Doors open at 6:30pm – Concert runs from 7:00pm until 9:30pm.

ADMISSION: $15.00
Tickets are on sale NOW at the Tybee Post Theater website, and will be available at the door, but space is limited so you better hurry!

The Tybee Post Theater is located at #10 Van Horn, Tybee Island, GA. Limited parking is available nearby, and also at Jaycee Park. There will also be a bicycle rack at the theater for those who want to cycle over to the concert.

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit: http://www.tybeeposttheater.org, or call 912-323-7727.

Tybee Arts Performing Society’s Spring Production of John Patrick’s “The Curious Savage” was GREAT!
Director Carol Ingham, her cast and crew wish to thank all who came out to enjoy the performances
at the Tybee Art Center’s Black Box Theatre!

Cast for The Curious Savage included Ethel P. Savage (Valerie Hartz), Titus Savage (Arney Correa), Samatha Savage (Heather Hugener), Lilly Belle (Mary Felchlin), Nurse Willie (Melissa O’Brian), Doctor Emmett (Tracy Priest), Fairy May (Sally Cameron), Florence (Janet Rutledge), Hannibal (Virgil Moore), Jeffrey (Gene Foster), Mrs. Paddy (Cissy Ward); Director – Carol Ingham, Production Manager – Doris Grieder. All cast members live on Tybee or Wilmington Island.

(Gallery Photos by Sandy Correa, copyright 2020, The Tybee Times)

Mark your calendars for the Tybee Beautification Association Annual FUNDRAISER
The Tybee Prom 2010 “Twilight Time on Tybee”
Saturday, July 17th, 2010
7-8 Social Hour
8-12 Live Music with “Permanent Tourist”
American Legion Post 154 on Tybee
Admission Tickets STILL only $20 per person
Half-the-Pot Raffle tickets – $5.00

Don’t Miss the 3rd annual “Save the Animals SOCK HOP” to Benefit the Milton Project
Saturday, June 26th  7:00 – 11:30pm at the Tybee American Legion
Live Entertainment: Girlfriends and DJ
Heavy Hors d’ oeuvres provided by North Beach Bar & Grill – Cash Bar
Silent auction – art, gift baskets, services & more.
Dress attire:  Sock hop fun, or Tybee formal
Tickets: $25.00
Sponsored by WRHQ 105.3 FM
For more information call 912-484-7355, or 912-786-078

Mark Your Calendars Memorial Weekend (May 29th) for the Tybee Veteran’s Memorial Fundraiser on the Tybee Pier & Pavilion! Good food & drink – Live entertainment provided by Hatman Productions!

Visit: http://www.tybeevetsmemorial.com for more information!

Tybee Marine Science Center – May 2010 Update
May 5, 2010

Tybee Island Marine Science Center staff recovered a dead Loggerhead sea turtle about 300 yards east of Tybee’s Cockspur Lighthouse on May 5th. The sea turtle was killed by a boat’s propeller. Members of Coast Guard Station Tybee helped recover it from the water, and it was transported to the Georgia DNR’s Coastal Resources Division in Brunswick, GA.

Turtle nesting season on Georgia’s coast started May 1st and runs through October 31st.  This time of year, the female loggerheads are heading for the coastal sands to build nests and hatch their young. Not only are Tybee residents and visitors along the beach asked to turn off or shade their porch, car and portable outdoor lights by 9:00pm during turtle nesting season, area boaters are also asked to be aware of the presence of these animals in our local waters, and slow down.  Please, remember to watch out for turtles this summer, and take extra precautions.  Anyone wishing to find out more about loggerheads and the many other aquatic creatures that inhabit Tybee’s waters should visit the Tybee Marine Science Center located near the Tybee pier and pavilion at South End.

For more information about their educational programs call 912-786-5917, or visit:
http://www.marinesciencetybee.org.

Join the 12th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races to benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Saturday, June 12, 2010, 8:30AM

There are 3 races – the River Race is 6 ½ miles on the river.  The Little Tybee Challenge is about 8 ½ miles around part of Little Tybee.  The Race across the River is a fun short race for the Gold Sponsors.  Races begin at 8:30 a.m.; registration is 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Please, join us at A.J.’s Dockside Restaurant, 1315 Chatham Ave., on Tybee to participate or simply observe and be part of the fun.We thank everyone who has already signed on as a sponsor and invite any individual or business who would like to sponsor to contact us.

For more information call 912-786-5917, or visit http://www.marinesciencetybee.org

Upcoming CPR Events:
May 16: Adoption Day at Seaside Sisters (Tybee Island)
May 22: Bark for Life
June 5: Pet First Aid and CPR Class
June 19: Pet-a-Palooza
June 26: The Milton Project Sock Hop
July 10: Adoption Day at TailsSpin

Pet First Aid and CPR Class – The next Pet First Aid and CPR class offered by the Savannah Red Cross chapter will be held on Saturday, April 10th from 9 am to Noon at the chapter headquarters on Chatham Parkway. Registration is $25 per person and includes textbook with DVD. Spaces are limited so register early. The course is taught by CPR president and founder Lisa Scarbrough.

Yappy Hour Ball – We’re already starting plans for the Yappy Hour Blue Jeans Ball this fall. While the date is not yet set, we are already looking for donated items and volunteers to help with the event. If you are interested, please email Wendy Owens.

No Cruise this Year – One of our most fun events we do each year is the annual Cruise for Critters. However, we have decided to postpone having the cruise this September and change it possibly to spring time next year. We know many of you look forward to this event each year, and we hope you will join us for it next time.

For More Information Visit: http://www.coastalpetrescue.org

by Joe Richardson

April brought us some warmer weather, warming water temperatures (thank goodness), some surprisingly good swells during the last week of April, and lots of Lion’s Mane jellyfish!  These jellyfish are our typical late winter-time jellies.  So I’m guessing that because of our long colder-than-normal winter water temperatures, and now rapidly warming water, the Lion’s Mane “season” has been shortened and concentrated.  Luckily, their “sting” is pretty mild, and to me is more of an “irritation” than a sting.  You know you’ve been hit, but it’s not enough to bring you out of the water.

With the warming water and pleasant air temperature in late April and now May, surfers are wearing everything from full suits to “skinning it.”  During the last week of April when a surprisingly good swell lasted for a few days, you could see surfers wearing the full range at any one time.  Hopefully now that May is here, we can put away all the neoprene for a while.  Of course we do have to go through a few sessions with a fresh new batch of skin “abrasions” as we get back into boardshorts, bikinis and rash guards.  It’s a price most of us are willing to pay for not having to wrestle in and out of a wetsuit.

International Surfing Day, June 19th at Tybee
Plans are taking shape for a great 2010 International Surfing Day Celebration on Tybee Island.  This year’s celebration will be on Saturday, June 19th, on the beach between 17th and 18th Street.  A full day of activities are planned thanks to local supporters and partners.  The Surfrider Foundation Coastal Georgia Low Country Chapter is organizing the celebration, and joining them are a number of local sponsors and supporters including:  Underground Boardworks Surfshop, High Tide Surfshop, North Island Surf and Kayak, Yoga With Christine, Joey Wilson Photography, Coastal Environmental Analysis, Tybee Island Marine Science Center, Tybee Island YMCA, Georgia District Eastern Surfing Association and The Tybee Times.  If you would like to join this list of local supporters, please contact the Surfrider Foundation through their website at: http://www.surfrider.org/coastalgeorgia.
We will soon be announcing dates for Georgia District ESA surfing and body boarding contests for the 2010 season. The Eastern Surfing Association Georgia District has submitted to the City of Tybee Island a list of tentative dates for permission to hold the 2010 GA District ESA surfing and body board contests. These dates will not be official until approved by the City, so tune in next month for the official list.

Who’s Going to VA Beach, May 13-16?
Some of the top competitive surfers in our area will be representing our Eastern Surfing Association Georgia District in the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship that will be held this year at Virginia Beach.  These surfers have earned slots in this invitation-only regional competition that will include the top surfers from the east coast from Delaware through Georgia.  Not only will they be seeking regional honors, they will be surfing to advance in rankings high enough to earn invitations to the “Easterns,” which is the East Coast Championship for the ESA that will be held in September at Cape Hatteras, NC.

Jeff and Tara Mosley (GA District Directors) will helping to run the Regional Championship contest.  Jeff will be the announcer throughout the 4-day event, and Tara will be involved in tabulating judges’ scores and determining results.  We wish these folks the best of luck, and we look forward to seeing them again this year during our Georgia District contests:

Conrad Fonseca – Boys Shortboard
Josh Richardson – Junior Mens Shortboard, Junior Longboard, and Open Shortboard
Joey Crook – Mens Shortboard and Open Shortboard
Rolando Gamboa – Masters Shortboard