The Virginia Beach Jaycees had already helped with the creation of the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad, helped to establish what would become the Virginia Beach Public Library System, and were integral to the fund drive that resulted in the building of the General Hospital of Virginia Beach before they were approached about the surf contest. Over more than seven decades the Virginia Beach Jaycees have continued to promote personal and professional development to its members and offered leadership training skills through there multiple projects, ECSC chairman one of the most highly revered by chapter members.
The membership’s dedication to offer this event to the community has been tested, and proven, over the last 60 years as they have continued the contest through threats of hurricane, fires, earthquakes, and most recently an international pandemic. In 2020 Chairman Tony Pellino worked tirelessly with then General Manager George Alcaraz to create guidelines from scratch on how to run a surf event in a pandemic setting. Not only did they succeed in building a blueprint for such an occasion, but their plans have since been adopted by the World Surf League for their international events. What is more, the ability to hold the contest in 2020 led to the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships claiming an international title as the Longest Continuous Surf Contest in the World!