The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame has announced that 2001 WSL (ne ASP) World Champion CJ Hobgood has joined the Board of Directors. Hobgood, who had numerous ESA and NSSA Championships under his belt before turning pro, is pleased to be giving back to the sport that gave so much to him.
“I love the sport of surfing and the lifestyle it has provided for my family and me,” commented Hobgood during a recent call. “With my post-pro surfing career well underway, now is the time for me to give back to the sport I love, and to East Coast Surfing, as it’s obviously in my blood.”
“The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is committed to strengthening our board with individuals who bring both competitive experience and industry insight,” remarked president Gary Germain. “CJ Hobgood was a clear choice—his achievements in professional surfing, deep connection to the East Coast community, and dedication to preserving the sport’s history make him an invaluable addition. We look forward to his leadership and contributions as we continue advancing ECSHOF initiatives for years to come.”
As the 2001 ASP World Tour Champion, Hobgood is a member of an elite crew of professional World Champions from the East Coast that includes Frieda Zamba and Lisa Andersen, both East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Inductees, and Kelly Slater, who undoubtedly will one day be in the Hall of Fame. Hobgood began his championship run winning the ESA’s Menehune Division in 1991 followed by the NSSA East Coast Men’s Champion in 1994, NSSA National Junior Champion in 1995, the 1997 NSSA East Coast Men’s Champion and the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games Champion. He was a fearless aerial surfer and a big wave barrel rider at Pipeline, Cloudbreak and Teahupo’o.
Hobgood and twin brother Damien have held Camp Hobgood annually for rising pros in training. He was a founding partner in Salty Crew apparel and owns a real estate practice in the Melbourne, Florida area. CJ Hobgood was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame in 2022.
About the ECSHOF
The East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the history and heritage of East Coast Surfing by enshrining forever the people who have been responsible for surfing’s development and growth on the US East Coast. The ECSHOF was founded in 1996 by one of surfing’s truly great watermen, Greg Noll, along with East Coast legend, Cecil Lear. Every two years, the ECSHOF conducts a public candidate submission process, followed by a thorough nomination and selection process to determine the next ECSHOF Inductees.
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