Herbert looking to make waves in New Jersey

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 5/19/16

Warwick's Chris Herbert has been surfing since he was a kid, but he's never been presented with an opportunity like the one he'll have this weekend. Herbert compiled enough points during 2015 in his respective Eastern

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Herbert looking to make waves in New Jersey

Posted

Warwick’s Chris Herbert has been surfing since he was a kid, but he’s never been presented with an opportunity like the one he’ll have this weekend.

Herbert compiled enough points during 2015 in his respective Eastern Surfing Association district to earn a spot in this weekend’s Northeast Regional Championships in Belmar, New Jersey – a first for the veteran surfer.

“This is the first time that I’ve gotten enough points, so I’m pretty excited about it,” Herbert said.

Herbert piled up the points through a series of local contests in 2015, with some of the featured sites being Newport, Narragansett, Westerly and Cape Cod.

With his skill and ideal surfing conditions, Herbert was able to reach the minimum number of points needed in order to qualify for the Northeast Regionals.

“I surf year-long,” Herbert said of living in Rhode Island. “I don’t know if it was El Nino or whatever, but we had the best surf we’ve had in a decade.”

Herbert will be the Southern New England representative in the Masters Shortboard Division for the 30-39-year-old age group. Although Herbert is more into shortboard, he also qualified for the men’s longboard competition, which will feature competitors ages 18 to 34.

Herbert is now toward the back end of the longboard age group, but he’s going to leave it all out there. Who knows, maybe he’ll show the “young guys” a thing or two.

“It’s my last hoorah,” Herbert said. “I’ll show these young guys what I’ve got one last time.”

As for the shortboard competition, Herbert is going in with confidence. He knows that New York and New Jersey will roll out strong surfers, but Herbert is feeling good after a standout 2015 season.

“The New York and New Jersey competitors are usually awesome, but I’m confident,” Herbert said. “It’s the way of the wave.”

Herbert expects to have numerous family members in attendance in New Jersey to cheer him on, including his young children. He noted that it’s been a cool experience telling his kids that he’ll be in the tournament.

“I’ve gotten a kick out of telling my kids that I’m the Southern New England surf representative,” Herbert said with a laugh.

If Herbert were to win this weekend, he would qualify for the Eastern Surf Championships in North Carolina in September.

Herbert was planning on heading to New Jersey Thursday, and he anticipated being in the water by 8 a.m. on Friday.

Herbert and the entire Northeast Regional can be followed through live stream at surfesa.org. The contest will begin on Friday morning and will conclude on Sunday.

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  • Littleleague

    Congrats, Warwick will be rooting for you big time!

    Friday, May 20, 2016 Report this