Buddy Pelletier Memorial Tournament Set for July One of Bogue Banks most beloved events returns to Atlantic Beach this summer for its 20th and final event. The Buddy Pelletier Memorial Longboard Classic takes over the seashore July 24-25, luring amateurs and professionals alike for a little friendly competition in a variety of categories. Annually, competitors range in age from 8 to 55 and over. The surfing competition isn’t just for surfers, though. Entry fees, T-shirt sales and other donations help fund college scholarships and grants to members of the East Coast surfing community. “It’s going to be a very interesting tournament this year – we’re going old school, back to our roots,” teases Lisa Pelletier-Harman. “And we are definitely going out on a high note. The timing is great with the community coming back together and everything being safer. We’re really looking forward to a great tournament.” For many, this mid-summer contest has become a tradition, not only for the prime chance to catch a few waves, but also to pay homage to the competition’s namesake, Buddy Pelletier. A topranked professional surfer and three-time winner of the Puerto Rican National Longboard Championship, Pelletier came home to the Crystal Coast in the early 1990s to spend his final days with friends and family before succumbing to cancer. It is through those same friends and family members, as well as new ones made along the way, that 14 JULY - AUGUST 2021
his legacy lives on through the nonprofit Buddy Pelletier Surfing Scholarship Foundation, which provides humanitarian aid and scholarships to the surfing community. Longboards, unlike their shorter counterparts, allow competitors to ride even the smallest of waves, leaving onlookers with plenty of action to take in and giving entrants the opportunity to showcase their skill. While adult boards measure about nine feet, junior boards must be three feet longer than the youngster’s height. “It’s been 20 years so it feels like the appropriate time to put the contest to rest,” said Jessica Holleman, director of the classic. “It’s a well-loved and respected community event just like the man himself and we would like the memory of the contest and of Buddy to bring up those feelings of joy and friendship and good sportsmanship that we feel every year on the beach.” Surfing begins each day at 7am and generally lasts until 5pm on Saturday. A beach party with live music is planned for Saturday evening with live music by Selah Dubb. A free shuttle will be available all day Saturday. The awards ceremony takes place Sunday afternoon. The entry form and additional information about the contest, sponsorship opportunities and the foundation can be found at www.buddypelletier.com.
