2012 Regional Sign up information

Entry forms and slot information can be obtained from the ESA Website link below. Same as last year, entries will be handled individually so please pay attention to the due date and follow the instructions carefully. FYI, the Regional Championships is by invitation only and you must have competed in at least 3 contests last season to qualify.

First, here is the link to the host hotel; http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ILMCB?groupCode=MASMASA&app=resvlink&fromDate=5/2/12&toDate=5/6/12 Remember to mention ESA for the discount. I should be getting information about other motels soon. OR you can check out the Mid Atlantic Region page on the ESA website. This page will be your permanent source of information, links, entry forms, entry links, etc. So if you lose this email, remember you can always access the same info on the ESA Website:
http://www.surfesa.org/content/category/6/32/42/

The slots attachment lists all the districts and their slot allocations. Look for your division and the CNC Column. If you forget your rank, go to the CNC website and look up the final points standing from the 2011 season. http://cnc.surfesa.org

***Alternate slots are important for a few reasons. 1) many, if not most alternates get into the event. 2) the # of alternate entries often determine which divisions get expanded. If you qualified by competing in at least 3 contests last summer, and want to go, fill out and send in an entry form. If you don’t get in, your money will be returned. If you don’t enter, you will definitely not get in!

Here are the instructions I received from Harry Purkey, our Regional Director:

As we did last year, we are offering an electronic entry option. Competitors have the choice of entering electronically or filling out the attached entry form and sending it to the ESA PO Box. Sorry-no overnight delivery to the ESA office is available this year-BUT-people can go to the Post Office and use USPS overnight mail to the PO Box if need be.

Some points/issues/thoughts to keep in mind:

1. The entry deadline is Monday March 12 at 11:59PM. All entries after that will be treated as late paid alternates and may be included in the contest on a space available basis but there are no guarantees for LPAs. One issue with the electronic entry process last year was that the DDs didn’t know which of their competitors had entered and when. This year I plan to give you all periodic updates of who has entered. It may be an entry by entry notification or it may be a periodic spreadsheet-I haven’t settled on that yet. Either way, you’ll “not be in the dark” about who has entered.
2. Competitors must have met the 50% rule in order to compete and must have their membership good thru Sept 30, 2012. If a Regionals entrant had a membership that expired on or before 9/29/11 they will need to renew for basically 2 years-one renewal to get them up to 9/29/12 and then one to get them to/past 9/30/12. This is nothing new-it’s been SOP since about 2008. Each entrant will be checked for membership thru 9/30/12 and meeting the 50% rule.
3. We will accommodate demand (within reason) an expand divisions where necessary, especially in the youth divisions. If, for example, you got 3 boys slots but have 7 boys Region eligible, then encourage those “back 4” to put their entry in. If they don’t get in they get their money back (except the Active convenience fee which is non refundable).
4. The MA webpage is up and running with the entry form and the electronic entry link!! There is also a link to the Marriott and they have a special rate for ESA competitors-a click on the Marriott logo takes people directly to registration with the ESA rate of $159/night. That might seem pricey, but they do a wonderful job there and the contest site is front and center behind the hotel.
5. Amy and Jesse are working really hard to put on a great event. We had the 2004 Regionals at the same site and it was a rousing success! SNC is pretty much centrally located for all of us so this should be a great time!!

My email is temporarily working. If you have questions, email me or give me a call at 252-241-8821. As always, I am concerned about the folks who don’t check their email or who have changed their email address. I will post the same information on the CNC Facebook page. Please pass the word to your friends that the Regional entry process has begun. I’d love to see a large turnout of CNC competitors since the contest is so close!

Make sure you pay attention to the deadline…..Monday, March 12th!!!
Beth