The 50th anniversary edition of the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships (CE-ECSC), North America’s oldest surf contest, gains even more prestige as the Pro division, the Vans Pro, is designated as an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-Star event and the Vans Pro Junior contest is upgraded to a 6-Star ASP Junior Qualifying event.

The $155,000 Vans Pro and $30,000 Vans Pro Junior presented by Coastal Edge and hydrated by vitaminwater will run concurrently within the ECSC at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront August 20-26, 2012, with dramatically increased purses and valuable pro tour rating points on the line, enabling surf fans to see many of the top surfers in the world in Virginia Beach and on the global webcast.

The 6-Star Vans Pro and Junior Pro at the Coastal Edge ECSC returned to ASP sanctioning last August and were contested under intense seas kicked up by Hurricane Irene. Until this year, the 2011 4-Star designations were the highest ever for the pro contest at the ECSC. Although the Vans Pro is one of ten ASP Star events scheduled globally in 2012, it is the only ASP 6-Star event taking place in North America and the highest rated event on the East Coast.

Surfers competing in ASP Star events gain ratings points that figure into the ASP World Rankings with the top 32 surfers qualifying for the ASP World Tour.

“The Coastal Edge ECSC’s historic standing of 50 years in 2012 is just a few years more than Vans’ 45-plus years supporting surf and skate,” says Doug Palladini, Vans’ Vice President of Marketing. “We’re excited to help lead the 50th annual Coastal Edge ECSC giving North American surfers the opportunity to gain ASP ratings points and prize money while literally taking part in surf history.”

“Last year, we were excited to regain ASP sanctioning and have the international surf community rediscover the event’s place among the tour’s elite contests. To have a 6-Star event here in Virginia Beach — the largest ASP designated contest in the United States – we are overjoyed,” added D. Nachnani, president, Coastal Edge.

“I remember the first ECSC all those years ago, and I’ve looked forward to it every year since,” said Virginia Beach Mayor William B. Sessoms, Jr. “I’m thrilled with the enthusiasm that surrounds this event every year, and I’m proud that the ASP’s six-star rating finally gives the championship the recognition and prestige it deserves. Here’s to 50 more years!”

The Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships presented by Vans, is the oldest surf contest in North America and the second longest continuously-run surf contest in the world. Year in and year out, the Coastal Edge ECSC is also one of the largest surf events held globally with more than 800 participants across more than 35 divisions in 2011. Produced annually by the Virginia Beach Jaycees and managed by Resort Management, LLC, the Coastal Edge ECSC beach festival, will also include skate, BMX and motocross demos along with many other beach activities. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Portions of the proceeds raised at the CE-ECSC benefit the Jaycees many charitable projects. For event information, visit www.surfecsc.com. Contact: George@surfecsc.com for sponsorship inquiries.