ECSC teaming up with Vans, Monster Energy

Once again the East Coast Surfing Championships will be hitting our beaches at the end of this month. Hopefully this dry spell for swells means Mother Nature is saving it up for the contest. As usual they will have their amateur and professional surfing competitions but also mixed in will be an 8K race, the always popular swimsuit contest, volleyball and Wareing's Beach Bum Classic.

This will be the 48th year Virginia Beach has hosted this annual event but don't think there isn't anything new to bring to the table. Event planners are saying this year could be the biggest and most ambitious event ever.

Let's start with the name change. Beach goers will always recognize the ECSC name and logo but this year what comes in front of it may look a bit different. The official name of the event is 'Vans and Monster Energy present the Coastal Edge ECSC.' This is huge. The General Manager of ECSC, George Alcarez, says that the 'naming rights sponsorship agreement with Coastal Edge and presenting sponsors Vans and Monster Energy launches ECSC into a new category of sophistication, complexity and significance on the city's event calendar.

So what does the name change mean? Lots of things really. But overall it can mean bigger pay outs for the main events and other big name sponsors jumping on board. Ultimately, with the big names like Vans and Monster Energy attached to the contest, it could attract more surfers to the East Coast.

Some other new stuff this year will be a motocross stunt performance and a 'tow-at' trick style surfing demonstration. Also if you noticed, this year comp has expanded to a 5-day format starting on a Wednesday. US military special forces units will also be out putting on several tactical exhibitions.

So if you are not competing, what's in it for you? I am glad you asked. There will be fun things to watch throughout the five days of events. There will surfing, skim boarding, the World Sand Soccer Association Tournament, the US Beach Flag Football tournament, beach volleyball, cornhole, BMX extreme ramp riding, and the Wareing's Beach Bum Classic.

The Beach Bum Classic is Virginia Beach's version of a triathlon. It will consist of a beach run, beach cruiser bike ride and a surfboard paddle. Not so bad right?

For anyone interested in volunteering for the event, you can check that out here.

Also, you can add ECSC as a friend on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

And don't worry all you people coming in from out of town, VBHappyHour will have your entire 'social' itinerary laid out before you get here. We will show you the best deals for ECSC weekend. Stay tuned.