UNCW exhibit displays 50 years of local surfing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW is marking the 50-year milestone of the surfing culture here in Southeastern North Carolina. From small town surfers to national champions, they all have ties to this area.

From Surf City to Fort Fisher, over to Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach, these areas have influenced the growth of surfing as a sport. Those behind the camera have captured the passion of those in the Cape Fear surf community.

UNCW is recognizing the sport in an exhibit featuring local men and women who have a connection to the school. Although many have gone on to do big things in the surfing world, this is where they all began.

“I won the east coast title for the collegiate open longboard division and I won the national longboard champion title,” said champion surfer Tony Silvagni.

Silvagni is one of the surfers featured in the exhibit.

“I was ecstatic when I found out,” Silvagni said.

Silvagni added that surfers next to him on the wall are who inspired him. Surfers like Ben Bourgeois.

“He was one of the athletes I looked up to. I was a shortboard when I was growing up and just seeing him always in barrel shots on the cover of Surfer Magazine.”

The university’s goal was to highlight the golden anniversary of surfing through photography and experience from UNCW students and alumni. Anyone interested in learning more about the 50 years of surfing in Southeastern North Carolina can attend a panel discussion and reception on October 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Randall Library Auditorium.