East Coast Surfing Championship honors VB legend Pete Smith during 64th competition

VIRIGNIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — On the last day of the longest-running surfing competition in the world, the East Coast Surfing Championships wrapped up its 64th year honoring a local legend while celebrating much more than surfing.

This year’s event included the men’s and women’s surfing competitions, live music, BMX stunts, local vendors and more, offering plenty for visitors and residents.

“Living right down the street, it’s the best thing,” said resident Max Hughes. “I just rode my bike down here the other day, and we came down here and it was nice. I think it’s a good idea to bring the community together, especially with the BMX bikes and the surfing.”

10 On Your Side spoke with the event’s chairwoman and general manager, who said it has been a great week of festivities.

“We started … last Sunday,” said ECSC chairwoman, Lindsey Peard, “[with] seven days of surf, seven days of activations all up and down the beach from the jetty at First Street, all the way down to 12th Street.

Not only did the event celebrate another year of competition, but it also celebrated the life and legacy of ECSC co-founder and Virginia Beach surfing legend Pete Smith, who died in March.

“He was a commentator back in the sixties and was born in ’39 and just led the charge,” said ECSC general manager Tony Pellino, “Pete has always been out here, and always delivered as much stoke as possible.”

10 On Your Side interviewed Smith back in the mid 1980s, when the ECSC co-founder was asked how he’d like to be remembered.

“I would love them to say, ‘Pete Smith, that’s a damn nice guy’ — I would hope that whether it was somebody who knew me well, semi well, or whether somebody I waved to or whatever,” Smith said. “I would hope that.”

Fast forward to today, it’s safe to say Smith’s legacy is one he would be proud of.

“Pete Smith was a nice guy, you know, he really was,” Penillo said. “We had an amazing paddle out yesterday. The waves were just nice enough to allow us to have that paddle out to truly honor a legend.”

ECSC organizers say they’ll now look to continue Smith’s legacy through the competition he helped co-found.

“Keeping the legacy on and that leadership development and growing the younger generation to take over the aged-out Jaycees into the next generation,” Peard said. “We want to see another 64 and then another 64. We love our city, we do it because we love what we do, so we want to keep that going.”

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