Key West Fest 2003

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Key West Fest Day - August 2, 2003
"Tubes? Surf Talk? Margaritas? ASC Babes?"

Some of the Gang Went Surfing Before the Big Event

Paul's Pre-Fest Report: Got to Reho and in bed by 11:30pm, out of bed by 6:30am and on the road to O.C. to hit 62nd street. Looked shoulder high and mushy fun, while the winds were onshore at that point and it looked like a thunderstorm might hit. I took out the 9'0" and scored some fun lefts. After an hour or so more guys started to appear at 64th and 62nd streets but nobody came out near me for some reason. Drift was noticeable but not too bad. Left when it started breaking too close to shore to head back to GP (not having Bruce's info) and played in the waist high and wind blown peelers for another couple of hours. Then back to Towson to prepare for the KWF...

Chris Smith's Pre-Fest Report: Brian and I left at a reasonable hour this morning and headed to gordons pond, I figured Paul would be there. We were in the chilling water around 8AM and who do I see in the line up? Kieren my winter compadre, normally working his but off this time of year took a few days off. Another friend of his showed up and the four of us had some fun in the choppy waves. A fairly decent chest high wave would roll in about every 8-10 minutes and of course everyone scambled to catch it. I decided to enjoy one on my short boards the 9'6" Robert August and it was a pretty good choice. Although Kieren's "Big Blue" did give me a ride all the way to the beach. I got out my camera and housing and tried to take some pictures but the water was so chilly that the housing fogged up and I had to put it away and remember to get some new moisture muncher. We headed out at about 1PM and unfortuneately never saw Paul. There were some folks at the north groin, was that you? See folk ath the Key West Fest.

Bruce's Pre-Fest Report: Jeff, ex-Hawaiian Willie williams and I arrived early at 62nd St to be greeted by long hollow rights off the sandbar and shorter but steep lefts. Most waves were waist high but the takeoff on some sets was head high +. The 62nd st Longboarders were out on the 65th St peak break and two surfers were south of us at 61st. Didn't realize it was Paul until later. I usually don't surf there on a south as the
waves tend to close out a lot. I caught so many waves my arms were starting to go by 10am when we moved up the beach to the open surf
area at 66th. High tide was at 10:05 and the waves were not well shaped by then. It was crowded but Jeff caught quite a few good waves. Headed back about noon but there was a traffic problem at the bridge and didn't get in until 3:30pm.

Jeff's Pre-Fest Report: I really missed it. Hit the swell at 62nd on Saturday with Snake and one of his work buds. My timing was way off and I ruined more waves than rode. Still fun, until the wind closed out the sets. After a week of showing family the sites in DC until the wee hours, paddling around Snake to catch waves and having made no progress on my house renovations in weeks, I opted to miss the ACS party on Saturday night. I should have attended if for no other reason than to experiance that rare occurance when Snake offers to drive. Sorry I missed it Neal. It sounded great and I still was called away from the renovations by an emergency "honeydoo". Better to surf and party, than to work and pretend to be responsible.

The Main Event (click on pics for larger view)
Photos by Rod, unless otherwise noted.

Pat and Pat (Foon splitting the different in the background)	The Legend and Neal discuss the finer aspects party hosting	Paul and special guest,Stephanie.

The host and part of the spread. Neal really puts on a first class fest	At the bar: Kate, Mike Flip's wife, Mike and Doug	K39s in action. GV is 2nd from the left.

George Vermillion doing what he loves (besides surfing and... well, exactly what, George?))	Kate and Doug Rhodes - always in the running for the most beautiful couple award	The band kept it lively with tunes for several hours. Cowabunga!

Paul and Stephanie styling.	Curtis and Snake	Svetlana, E! and Beth

Svet is so sweet when she smiles and sister E!	Curtis' wife, Curtis and Foon	Oh! Here they are again.

Conglomeration of ASCers: El Tuna Hoge, Flips, KC, Alex, Kirk and Heather	Mike Flips, Christine, and son	The new Graduate, Amy Mantay

Rod adds a few more words
Let me be the second to extend hearty thanks to the ASC Kahuna and his Queen Wahine for hosting the wonderful event known as the Key West Fest. For the second time in 9 days I "stepped into liquid" in the form of margaritas while partaking of ASC-related pleasures. Despite "going deep" early it was a delight to see so many of our Club members and their spouses at the party... many meeting each other for the first time.

I had the great honor to meet Curtis for the first time, along with his spouse and kids; El Tuna's wife, Pat; Mike Flipper's wife and new baby. It was great to see Doug and his much better half, Kate, again (thanks again for Guys' Weekend!); Foon actually brought his numero uno and only, JoAnne, to an ASC-fest... I think she enjoyed herself... I know I enjoyed her company as always. KC brought Svetlana and her sister, E!, who engaged an in animated but entertaining debate in Russian. The K39ers, led by George Vermillion, entertained us with surf tunes for several hours. El Mono and the newly mastered Graduate, Amy and her parents joined in. My apologies for not hitting the brakes, grabbing a chair and talking more with your parents, Amy, but the tequila buzz was running. Bryan Stringer stopped by after getting wet down at the shore earlier in the day. Snake and wife were busy socializing... but Snake, ever increasing in age (like many of us), bugged out early on this evening. HOT Heather and Todd looked to be enjoying themselves -- her surfing is advancing rapidly -- she probably won't want to surf with us hodads much longer.

Jeff... was that you? Grab a crab mallet next time and clobber me for not saying "hola, me llamo rod." Missy Smith graced volleyball field, along with her friends, but they moved on before the evening darkened. Paul Martin and his special one kept the evening lively with talk and chatter. I probably missed a few. Oh yeah... I was accompanied by my beautiful designated driver and son, ASC'er Alex. This was probably an all time ASC gathering. Way to go, Neal and Amy!

Message From The Host

Aftermath Stats

Last year's stats (2002)
4 cases of Corona consumed
3-1/2 cases of Lite consumed
6+ gallons of frozen margaritas consumed
18 pounds of jerk Chicken consumed
55 Hamburgers consumed
20 Hotdogs
Lots of side dishes
Many buns admired, even more bodies squeezed

Foon adds a few words
Let me be one of the first to congratulate Neal and Amy for throwing a first class event at their home tonight. Joanne and I had a great time and it was fantastic to see all you ASC members there. Met a few folks for the first time and reacquainted myself with others. The food, drink and entertainment were superb. K39 was a perfect choice to light up the evening with song. Great work George and the band. I am both humbled and grateful to be a recipient of a fine Tiki god necklace for my couture. A little known fact is that I bought that shirt on a cruise I took years ago that stopped in Key West. I thought it
ironic the shirt got the prize. As anyone who was there could see, El Presidente and his wife put an enormous amount of work and energy into this gig. Thank you both very much for making the evening memorable. I hope the pics turn out. See many of you Monday for our PR effort in Annapolis.

Doug Sends Kudos on the KWF to Neal & Amy
I would like to be the third to offer my thanks to you and especially Amy for a well planned get together KWF. You guys go way above and beyond the premise of putting a party together. It was great to see so many old and new ASCrs and spouses. Kate and I had a great time. It was nice to see Bruce and Kim making the rounds in conversation. Pat it was great to meet your better half, Pat and Mike, Christine, and the little one, also nice to see you guys. Hope we can all meet in the water sometime soon. Paul, hope you Stephanie enjoyed yourselves also.

Paul: Kudos on the KWF, Neal & Amy. Dittos on the Thanks for a great Night of Entertainment, Neal! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and look forward to next years! FYI,
surfing Sunday at GP was pretty pitiful, a strong South wind pretty
much ruined any swell as well as cooled things off pretty well...

PunchyThrows One Neal's Way.
You and Amy put on one heck of a good fiesta. Cristina, Andy, and I
had a great evening meeting up with ASCers old and new. The food and beverages were right on, and George's band did a great job of cooking it up and mellowing it down. Looking forward to catching up with the crew again soon, but on the water next time...

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Last updated on: 01/23/05