Daytona State surfers place in competition

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 15, 2013) - For the first time in five years, two surfers representing Daytona State College placed in the finals of the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s East Coast Championships held April 4 – 7 in New Smyrna Beach.

Bachelor of Education major Pat Gingras took third place in the longboard division final and freshman Dylan Martin placed fourth in the men’s shortboard final. Gingras and Martin, along with four other Daytona State surfers, competed against 10 other teams from major East Coast colleges and universities. They are the first Daytona State surfers to place in the NSSA East Coast finals since 2008.

“I am very proud of our surfers for their performance in the water, as well as in the classroom,” said the Surf Club’s coach, Bruce Cook, who also serves as the college’s assistant dean of co-curricular activities.

“This competition is something they do for the love of surfing, above and beyond their academic and other responsibilities.” 

Daytona State’s team competed in seven NSSA regional contests during the fall and spring in order to qualify for the 21st annual NSSA East Coast Championships, which saw nearly 500 contestants vying for titles. The team finished the regular season in fifth place and tied for sixth with the University of Florida, Gainesville, in the East Coast Championship competition. The NSSA holds more than 80 surfing events annually. It is one of the few national youth sports organizations that requires its participants to maintain academic standards in order to compete.

 In addition to representing the college in NSSA competitions, Daytona State’s Surf Club also actively involves students in environmental and coastal waters awareness activities in cooperation with other student clubs and organizations with similar interests. For details on how to join, contact Cook, (386) 506-4417 or cookb@DaytonaState.edu.

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Cutline: Dylan Martin, left, and Pat Gingras celebrate after their impressive performances in this month’s NSSA East Coast Surfing Championships.

NOTE: Offering more than 100 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, Daytona State College has responded to the education and workforce training needs of Volusia and Flagler counties and beyond for more than 50 years. The college enrolls 31,000 students a year at its seven instructional sites, with graduates serving in critical fields including health care, emergency services, business, education, hospitality, engineering, technology and more.

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