Delaware State News, Monday, December 30, 2013 The State Capital Daily 7 Paralyzed surfer goes for the big waves Liesener and ‘Surfgimp’ team experience memorable moments in 2008 Toyota Rav4 By Chris Flood Delaware State News MILTON — Other than knowing they had to fi nd a beach with suitable access for a person in a wheelchair, Jay Liesener and his 10-person crew 4x4, Good MPG, NO MONEY DOWN of supporters, affectionately known Room for the Family $ as Team Surfgimp, didn’t know what $14,995 72 Months @ 5.2% 224 per mo. to expect when they got to Hawaii 2002 Volvo V70 for a week-long surf session. “We had really high expectations, AWD Cross Country but it was so much better than we Leather Interior, NO MONEY DOWN could have imagined it being,” said Only 68,502 Miles $ Mr. Liesener of Milton, a few weeks $8,995 36 Months @ 9.9% 289 per mo. removed from the trip but still stoked. “There were so many ran- 2004 Chrysler dom moments and amazing experi- Town & Country Touring ences that fell into our laps.” Leather Interior, NO MONEY DOWN Mr. Liesener was featured in a Dual Rear Entertainment $ Delaware State News article on Nov. $14,995 72 Mos @ 5.4% 214/mo. 3 because he, and his team, were to be attending the opening ceremony 2005 Mini of this year’s The Quiksilver In Mem- Cooper S ory of event. Leather Interior, In honor of Eddie Aikau, a big wave Turbocharged, Dual Pane NO MONEY DOWN Sunroof, Great MPG ! $ legend from Hawaii who died at age $ 9,595 48 Mos @ 9.9% 242/mo. 32 in 1978, the event runs during the Submitted photo/Melanie Liesener time of year — beginning of Decem- Jay Liesener joins three of the world’s best big wave surfers, from left, Pete Mel, one 2006 Chevrolet ber through February — when the of the original surfers of Mavericks in California, two-time world champion Tom Carroll HHR winds have the potential to produce and Ross Clarke-Jones, the fi rst non-Hawaiian to win the The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau. Only 69,384 Miles, Alloy Wheels, NO MONEY DOWN huge waves. It is held only on days Power Wheels and Locks $ of historical surf conditions (35-to The trip original surfers of Mavericks, a loca- $9,995 60 Mos @ 6.1% 193/mo. 40-foot waves), which happens every tion in northern California known for three or four years. The last time big While it was tough to narrow its big waves and treacherous con- 2008 Chrysler wave riding was held was in Decem- down the trip to just a few highlights ditions), Tom Carroll (a two-time Sebring Sedan ber of 2009. because the trip in its entirety was world champion) and Ross Clark- amazing, Mr. Liesener immediately Auto, Power, Alloy Wheels NO MONEY DOWN Mr. Liesener, known as Surfgimp, Jones (the fi rst non-Hawaiian to win (72 Months $ was the winner of the event’s fi rst went to four experiences when asked Aikau event) — at one of @ 6.2% $10,995) 183/mo. ever Hero in the Spirit of Eddie Ai- what was most memorable. the world’s most famous surf beach- kau contest. According to the event’s The fi rst happened two days after es, , home to multiple 2010 Dodge Avenger website, 1,765 people entered and it arriving, when he got to surf in Hawaii surfi ng events every year. R/T was done as a way to fi nd “those real for the fi rst time. Because of Hawaii’s “I was just trying to not act like Only 61,855 miles, NO MONEY DOWN life heroes who inspire us every day, landscape, fi nding a beach that was one owner, Remainder a crazy idiot fan,” said Mr. Liesener. of Fact Warr. $ just like Eddie did and continues to even mildly wheelchair accessible “Growing up these guys were sports $13.980 72 Mos @ 5.4% 227/mo. do.” proved to be a task, but after scout- heros, you just hope they’re descent Mr. Liesener’s story is one of ing out a couple and speaking with people. Then you meet them and 2011 Kia dreams realized. It shows that with the locals, the group found a beach they’re kind, generous and open with enough motivation and a support at Pua’ena Point on of you.” Soul group willing to go to extraordinary the island of . It’s where they The surf session with the pros Only 46,368 Miles, Alloy Wheels,NO MONEY DOWN lengths, a man who has loved surf- teach the non-surfers and kids, Mr. went as smooth as possible, except Power Wheels & Locks $ ing since he was boy, but had been Liesener said. for the very last wave. $13,995 72 Mos @ 5.2% 226/mo. confi ned to a wheelchair for 19 years “The waves were just perfect, but As little miscommunication be- 2011 Volkswagen after a trampoline accident broke they were 100 to 150 yards away,” said tween Mr. Carroll and Mr. Clark- Jetta 2.5 SE Wagon his 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae Mr. Liesener, who’s used to the shore Jones left Mr. Liesener feeling the and left him a quadriplegic at the break offered at his local beaches brunt of a wave on his head. But he Leather Interior, Dual Pane NO MONEY DOWN age of 17, can in fact enjoy the free- that range from Indian River Inlet thought it was cool. Sunroof $ $16,980 72 Mos @ 5.2% ing feeling of riding a wave at one of to Assateague Island. “We decided “Pete was in the group of peo- 275/mo. the most famous surf beaches in all to paddle out and look, and then fi g- ple closer to the shore in the wa- Tax and Tags extra with approved credit. the world. ured we’d give it a try. It was amaz- ter and he told me afterwards that “Driving to where we were stay- ing. It was such a long ride. Each he thought he killed me,” said Mr. ing is when it hit me. Coming down wave was longer than every wave I Liesener with a smile. “I fi gure if I the mountains you could see the took this summer combined.” can scare those guys, I’ve had a pret- waves breaking on the outer reefs,” The second experience happened ty good session.” Mr. Liesener said after the group ar- the very next day, when Mr. Liesener The third and fourth experienc- rived to Hawaii. “It was very emo- and the team got to do their thing es happened at the surfi ng event’s tional. That’s when we realized that with three of the world’s best big we were actually there.” wave surfers — Pete Mel (one of the See Surfgimp — Page 8 8 The State Capital Daily Delaware State News, Monday, December 30, 2013

OBITUARIES AROUND THE NATION AND WORLD In governor races, Democrats boost minimum wage with infl ation Obituaries can be submitted to Robert Earl ‘Bob’ and Iowa’s Terry Branstad, New [email protected]. Delaware eye wage increase Mexico’s Susanna Martinez and Ne- State News obituaries also appear Everett HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Re- vada’s Brian Sandoval aren’t viewed online at delaware.newszap.com, MILFORD — Robert Earl “Bob” Ev- publican governors running for re- as suffi ciently endangered. where remembrances can be posted, erett passed peacefully, Saturday, De- election next year are looking to flowers can be ordered and charitable cember 28, 2013 capitalize on distaste for Washing- 16 killed in suicide bombing donations can be made. For help, call at the Delaware (302) 741-8297 ton gridlock and President Barack Hospice Center Obama’s dropping public approval in Russia’s south in Milford. amid the bumpy rollout of his signa- MOSCOW (AP) — A suicide Roger Elwood Mr. Everett ture health care law — and Demo- bomber struck a busy railway station was born in Mil- cratic challengers may need to re- in southern Russia on Sunday, killing Carmean, 70 ford, on August spond with a popular cause. MILFORD — Roger Elwood Carm- at least 15 other people and wound- 29, 1957. Bob A minimum wage increase could ing scores more, offi cials said, in a ean, 70, of Milford passed away Friday, was a devoted be the answer. Dec. 27, 2013. stark reminder of the threat Russia brother, uncle, Democrats vying to challenge a is facing as it prepares to host Feb- Mr. Carmean was a forklift operator and friend to slew of Republican governors, par- ruary’s Olympics in Sochi. at Seawatch. He was also a truck driv- whomever ticularly those seeking re-election in No one immediately claimed re- er for several companies for 30 years. crossed his path states that Obama won last year, are sponsibility for the bombing in Vol- He was a loving husband, father, and and a devoted caregiver to his Chihua- talking up an increase as their cam- gograd, but it came several months grandfather. hua, ”Buddy”. He took great pride that paigns get off the ground 11 months after Chechen rebel leader Doku He was preceded in death by his par- he had driven school bus, #38, for 9 before the election. Umarov called for new attacks ents, James and Bertha May (West) years for Chambers Bus Company. He Polls say it’s publicly popular, it against civilian targets in Russia, in- Carmean; son, Roger ‘Kip’ Carmean; loved living in the country near his revives the message of economic in- cluding the Sochi Games. son-in-law, Tony Legates; and brother, family and friends and enjoyed hunt- equality that Obama wielded effec- Suicide bombings have rocked Herbert Carmean. ing, riding his four wheeler, and going tively last year, and it comes wrapped Russia for years, but many have been He is survived by his wife, Frances to dinner with a special and dear in a broader jobs and economic mes- contained to the North Caucasus, (Smith) Carmean; daughter, Sandra friend, Karen Cooper. sage that touches on the top priority the center of an insurgency seeking and Mike Smith of Greenwood; son, Mr. Everett was preceded in death by of many voting Americans. an Islamist state in the region. Until Keith Carmean of Dover; grandchil- his father, Oscar Everett, Jr. In Pennsylvania, championing a recently Volgograd was not a typical dren, Brooke Amber Legates and Sha- He is survived by his mother, Anna M. minimum wage increase is already target, but the city formerly known nia Nicole Legates; brother, Wilson Everett; his sister, Lisa Cooper and her popular among the big fi eld of Dem- as Stalingrad has now been struck Carmean of Fredericksburg, Va.; and ocrats vying to challenge the re-elec- husband Mark of Felton; his niece, twice in two months — suggesting sister, Eva Evans of Winston-Salem, tion bid of Gov. Tom Corbett. Wendy Sparks and her husband Greg militants may be using the trans- N.C. Now, Katie McGinty, a onetime and their children Sabrina and Addi- portation hub as a renewed way of A funeral service will be 2 p.m., Fri- environmental policy adviser to the son of Felton; his nephew, Rob Cooper showing their reach outside their day, Jan. 3, 2014 the chapel of Berry- Clinton White House and Corbett’s and his wife Alexis and their children restive region. Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front Democratic predecessor, is distin- Alexa, Aiden, and Ashton, currently Volgograd, which lies close to vol- St., Milford, where friends may call af- guishing herself by telling audiences stationed in Valdosta, Ga.. atile Caucasus provinces, is 900 kilo- ter 12 p.m. Interment will be in St. and potential donors that she was Funeral services will be 1p.m., Thurs- meters (550 miles) south of Moscow Johnstown Cemetery, Greenwood. the fi rst Democrat in the Pennsylva- day, Jan. 2, 2014 at Torbert Funeral nia fi eld to make it an issue. and about 650 kilometers (400 miles) Chapel (South) 1145 E. Lebanon Rd. Thus far, the Republicans whom northeast of Sochi, a Black Sea re- Stella M. Oakes, 82 (Rt. 10), Dover, DE 19901 where friends Democrats view as most vulnerable sort fl anked by the North Caucasus MILTON — Stella M. Oakes, of Mil- may call from 12 p.m. until service aren’t changing their minds and sup- Mountains. ton, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, time. Interment will be in Sharon Hills porting it. The bombing highlights the 2013. She was 82. Memorial Park Dover. In addition to Corbett, the Dem- daunting security challenge Rus- She is survived by a son, Larry Rob- In lieu of fl owers the family suggest ocrats’ list of most vulnerable in- sia will face in fulfi lling its pledge to erts; and a daughter, Debbie Cournoy- that contributions be made to the cludes Maine’s Paul LePage, Mich- make the Sochi Games the “safest er. Delaware Hospice Center 100 Patriots igan’s Rick Snyder and Wisconsin’s Olympics in history.” The govern- Services and Burial will be private. Way, Milford, DE 19963 Scott Walker. Florida’s Rick Scott ment has deployed tens of thousands and Ohio’s John Kasich might be of soldiers, police and other security insulated because their states’ laws personnel to protect the games.

ed them to eat at their table during Surfgimp the opening ceremony’s dinner after Continued From Page 7 the blessing. You can visit the “They said what we were doing is opening ceremony. something that Eddie would have After the events, invited rid- liked. There was a feeling of being ac- ers were blessed on shore and then online guestbook at cepted by them, which was extreme- blessed again out in the water. A lo- ly meaningful,” said Mr. Liesener. “It cal Kahu (essentially a reverend in www.newszap.com Hawaiian) named Bill Mitchell saw was the biggest honor we could ever Mr. Liesener and the team, who were imagine.” all in water-blue Team Surfgimp t- The Aikaus even gave everyone by clicking the shirts. specially-made leis with a note that “He came over and I said I was said they were now hoaloha, which “Obituaries” link. known as the Surfgimp and he was means “beloved friends of the Aikau asking all kinds of questions. After- family.” wards he blessed us all,” he said. “That’s about as good as it gets,” “There was so much emotion.” said Mr. Liesener. Mr. Aikau’s brother and sister also Staff writer Chris Flood can be reached at spoke with the team and even invit- 741-8230 or cfl [email protected].